Howdy! 

Although the campus is a bit quieter due to summer break, there is still plenty of activity within our department. We wrapped up the spring semester with the annual Beast Feast wild game dinner and award ceremony. This year, we broke bread with more than 200 of our closest friends while also raising funds to support the work of our outstanding student organizations. You can find a selection of photos and a list of awards from the event in our Good Bull section of this newsletter.

We are also excited to announce that the department now has a trailer for transporting supplies, which will enhance the department’s signature events even further. Thank you to our friends at Texas Farm Credit, Wildlife Systems, East Foundation and Lochow Ranch Pond and Lake Management for the financial support to make this possible.

Following spring graduation, in which more than 25 RWFM students walked the stage, we headed to the Hill Country for our annual summer field camp at Bamberger Ranch. This year’s course was the largest to date, with 35 students. Despite taking place during an intense heatwave, everyone remained in great spirits — thanks in part to periodic dips in the Pedernales River. Thank you to all our faculty and staff who support this course. So much takes place behind the scenes to make this hands-on experience possible for our students.

Reflecting on all that we have accomplished in the last few months, I am reminded that none of our events, extension programming, research contributions or transformative courses would be possible without the people of RWFM. We’re more than an academic department — we are a cohort of passionate, like-minded individuals strategically working to advance the land-grant mission. The stories included in this newsletter highlight only a fraction of the contributions and achievements of faculty, staff and students.

As Dr. Jeff Savell often says, those of us at Texas A&M AgriLife are “in the people business.” I could not ask for a better group of people to help prepare the next generation of resource stewards and advance science-based natural resource management and conservation.

I wish you all a safe and happy summer break.

Texas Master Naturalist Program earns Conservation Wrangler designation

The designation recognizes and supports outstanding, science-based conservation efforts with demonstrated positive impacts for Texans and the state’s natural resources.

New AgriLife Extension prescribed fire coordinator

David Brooke, a program coordinator in the Texas A&M Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, will engage with landowners, the Prescribed Burn Alliance of Texas and its member associations, as well as other agencies to promote safe and effective prescribed fire practices.

Jeff Goodwin, Ph.D., guest hosts Cal of the Wild Podcast

Jeff Goodwin, Ph.D., RWFM research assistant professor and director of the Texas A&M Center for Grazinglands and Ranch Management, was a guest on the Cal of the Wild Podcast to highlight the importance of rangelands and rangeland stewardship. 

Beast Feast wild game dinner and award ceremony

More than 200 students, faculty and supporters gathered for the department's annual wild game dinner and award ceremony. 

Department purchases new event trailer

Thanks to generous financial support from Texas Farm Credit, Wildlife Systems, East Foundation and Lochow Ranch Pond and Lake Management, the department purchased a trailer to assist in transporting supplies for events and outreach. 

Much like the keystone species that uphold the integrity of ecosystems, RWFM is comprised of faculty, staff and students who ensure the strength and health of our department.

Since joining the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management in 2023, Humberto Perotto, Ph.D, has developed a state-of-the-art landscape ecology and drone laboratory that empowers students to utilize advanced technology to support rangeland stewardship while gaining critical professional experience and certifications.

The Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management is committed to generating sound scientific research, training the next generation of natural resource stewards and realizing the land-grant mission as described through our three focus areas of teaching, research and extension.

We invite you to be a part of our mission to prepare the next generation of natural resource professionals and advance the sound stewardship of natural resources for present and future generations. Your support directly impacts our students by alleviating financial burdens, bolstering experiential learning opportunities and enhancing our living classrooms and labs.