Howdy! 

The end of 2025 marks a significant milestone for us — the fifth anniversary of the department’s establishment. Over the last five years, we strategically worked to lay a foundation that supports a strong, dynamic and innovative academic department aligned with the university’s land-grant mission.

Our efforts have welcomed 15 new faculty, including the recent addition of James Cain, Ph.D., as the Dr. Red Duke Boone and Crockett Chair in Wildlife Conservation and Policy. We also doubled the number of graduate students and tripled the dollar amount of external grant funding to support our research and extension efforts. To better serve these faculty and students in their academic endeavors, we renovated three classrooms and oversaw the construction of a new facility at the Ecology and Natural Resources Teaching Area, ENRTA. While this new facility serves our department, it is also an essential resource for numerous other academic programs across the university.

Further, we added two new innovative undergraduate programs as part of our ongoing commitment to student success and marketability in the diverse and competitive field of natural resource conservation and management.

Now, we set our sights on the future – unfolding the strategy and next steps for what I like to call “RWFM 2.0.” We recently held our annual department-wide retreat, which served as an unofficial kickoff to these efforts. We already have so much taking place behind the scenes to see our mission and vision realized, and I encourage you to join us on our journey.

Thank you for your dedication to conserving wild places and wild things.

I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season.

RWFM graduate student secures second place in Three-Minute Thesis competition

RWFM graduate student Abigail “Abby” Dwelle received second-place honors in the Master's Division at the Texas A&M University Three-Minute Thesis competition. Dwelle presented her research, "From Helicopters to Habitat: Mapping Javelina across Southern Texas."

Two from department earn Dean's Outstanding Achievement Awards

Melissa Shehane, Ph.D., instructional assistant professor, and Danial Nayeri, doctoral student, received Dean’s Outstanding Achievement Awards at the Texas A&M University - College of Agriculture and Life Sciences “College Connect” awards.

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.

As program coordinator for the Texas Master Naturalist Program, TMN, Mary Pearl Meuth’s impacts extend far beyond her administrative responsibilities of event planning and coordination, human relations, curriculum development, operational protocols, and financial management. She builds communities of conservation practice that nurture Texas’ native landscapes and the individuals who comprise TMN chapters across the state.

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.