Sul Ross Wildlife Research

Herbicide treatments reduce woody shrubs to restore grasslands in encroached rangelands, with field studies probing hydrological impacts.

BRI's rangeland restoration research is varied but focuses on providing specific information for landowners to make informed management decisions.

• $975K donation from Nau expands habitat restoration research at Sul Ross
• Builds on Phase 1 (past 5 years): hydrology, soil erosion in arid environments
• Advances Trans-Pecos rangeland conservation for big game mammals and game birds

Major funding alert for rangeland conservation:

• $32.8M awarded to organizations like Mule Deer Foundation and American Bird Conservancy, impacting...

Key conservation shifts in TPWD's approved changes reflect wildlife trends:

• Rio Grande turkey decline: Fall hen harvest closed in either-sex...

TPWD-guided Elm Creek Nature Hike along the nature trail opens eyes to local West Texas flora and fauna – perfect for all ages and promoting Trans-Pecos conservation awareness like BRI outreach.

Key takeaways from Dust Bowl history for modern drought-prone rangelands:

• "Rain follows the plow" myth fueled over-plowing of deep-rooted native...

Texas bear hunters must call 833-345-0398 each night to check if the quota is reached in their hunting zone—key for real-time, science-based harvest management.

Texas ranchers: NRCS CSP second batching deadline is May 22, 2026 for FY26 funding.

• Includes Regenerative Pilot Program for whole-farm conservation...

New U of I research at Rinker Rock Creek Ranch offers management insights for invasive control:

• Traditional practice: 2 growing seasons rest...

Hunter-driven conservation restores black bears coast-to-coast via Pittman-Robertson excise taxes on firearms/ammo.

Key state wins:

• West Virginia:...

Join the Big Bend Dark Skies Festival (April 13–19) for dark sky preservation benefiting wildlife:

• Nighttime owl walk at Kokernot Lodge in Alpine,...

• Stephen Diebel, longtime Victoria Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Director, elected President of Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers...

The American West faces increased water stress driven by accumulating overexploitation of aquifers and large Lower Colorado Basin reservoirs, underscoring ten policy challenges and research needs.

• Extreme March heat: Over 10,000 daily high and 8,400 warm low records broken statewide.
• Precip incoming: Showers in West Texas today, adding up...

Outreach Events

• Owl Walk at Earth Day Celebration: Borderlands Research Institute scientists Dr. Maureen Frank and Dr. Alejandro Chavez will...

• Nocturnal outreach: BRI's Dr. Maureen Frank and Dr. Alejandro Chavez lead guided owl walk on Trans-Pecos wildlife.
• Dark skies focus: Ties into...

Severe thunderstorms loom for West Texas this weekend, with 15% risk of supercells, large hail, and severe winds after a dry week. Incoming moisture...

• Mid-week: Small rain chances ahead
• Weekend: Stronger storm system impacts West Texas
• Holds potential for drought relief, burn ban lifts...

• No damn wall: Ex-Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson at No Big Bend Wall Coalition event.
• Opposing steel wall where nature's wall already...