Publications
B-6227 Managing the White-Tailed Deer
An exciting natural resources lesson plan has been developed for high school
math and science students--Managing the White-tailed Deer.
This publication is the second released in a continuing series that
demonstrates the art and science of managing habitats, populations
and the user groups associated with wildlife. The first was released in
2008 called Managing the Largemouth Bass. Lessons
are aligned with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills requirements and
emphasize the critical relationships between data collection, data
analyses and data interpretation. Real-world data sets are used in case
history formats to involve students in every aspect of the management process. Hands-on activities are emphasized whenever possible. Additional audiences for these lessons include landowners interested in learning the concepts of management on their own properties and youth groups (i.e. 4-H, FFA) interested in learning more about our wildlife resources.
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Potential Uses for Trail Cameras in Wildlife Management
Trail cameras have become a favorite “toy” of hunters and wildlife enthusiasts. Many outdoor related websites consistently post unique and interesting photos from these cameras. The photos are not only neat to look at, but can also provide land managers valuable wildlife information to compliment their current wildlife records (harvest data, population surveys, browse surveys, etc.). Additionally, trail cameras have several uses for non-game animals as well as rare, threatened, or endangered species.
By: Justin Dreibelbis, Shawn Locke, James Cathey, and Bret Collier
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SP-318 Linking Water Conservation and Natural Resource Stewardship in the Trinity River Basin
Water conservation is a critical issue in Texas today. This publication explores the relationship
between ecosystem health and land stewardship in the Trinity River Basin. It also describes
how responsible land stewardship can be applied in urban and rural settings. (16 pp., 10 figures, 3 tables)
By: James Cathey , Shawn Locke , A.M. Feldpausch , I.D. Parker , C. Frentress , J. Whiteside , C. Mason and M. Wagner
Retail price: $3.50
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SP-316 Techniques for Wetlands Construction and Management
Wetlands are important ecosystems that contain a vast array of plants and animals.
Wetlands perform a variety of vital functions, such as purifying water. This publication
explains the role of wetlands and how to construct and manage them. (20 pp., 10 figures, 2 tables)
By: Shawn Locke , C. Frentress , James Cathey , C. Mason , R. Hirsch and M. Wagner
Retail price: $3.50
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Ecosystem and Wildlife Implications of Brush: Management Systems Designed to Improve Water Yield
The State of Texas adopted a program to study and implement brush management systems across the state to improve the water availability in streams, rivers, reservoirs and aquifers, as well as to improve the rangelands. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in hydrology and biological diversity associated with brush management in two watersheds (Twin Buttes and Edwards region).
By: Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Texas Water Resources Institute, Texas Cooperative Extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service
High Quality(13.3 MB)
Screen Quality(8.8 MB)
Population Status and Threat Analysis for the Black-capped Vireo
The black-capped vireo (BCVI; Vireo atricapilla) is a migratory bird with a known breeding occurrence throughout portions of central Texas, the state of Coahuila in Mexico, and isolated areas in Oklahoma. On November 5, 1987, the species was listed as Endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended. This evaluation of all scientific and commercial information available on the present status of the BCVI will provide the USFWS with the data needed for making determinations under a status review as required by Section 4(c)(2) of the ESA.
By: Neal Wilkins, Robert A. Powell, April A.T. Conkey, and Amy Snelgrove
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Houston Toad Bibliography
As Bastrop County moves forward with its mission to implement a countywide Habitat Conservation Plan to protect the Houston toad, a comprehensive database of relevant literature will be needed. This bibliography includes some sources of scientific information that may be useful in the development of this plan, and is for the use of the Biological Advisory Team for the Houston Toad Conservation Project.
By: Stacey Allison and Neal Wilkins
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Land Fragmentation Briefing
Texas’ economic foundation has always been based on things produced from our state's vast acreage, but land ownership fragmentation could greatly impact this precious resource. This brochure provides information to help you make crucial decisions that address the ownership fragmentation issue and its potential impact on Texas' rural communities and the natural resources upon which our waters, wildlife habitats, and agricultural economics are ultimately based.
By: Neal Wilkins, Robert D. Brown, Richard J. Conner, Jason Engle, Charles Gililand, Amy Hays, R. Douglas Slack, and Don W. Steinbach
High Quality (12 MB)
Screen Quality (850 kb)
United States Grasslands and Related Resources: An Economic and Biological Trends Assessment
Over the past several decades the United States has seen a dramatic decrease in grasslands, a beneficial and diverse resource. Changing land use, increasing demands for lands for development, and shifts in agricultural production contribute to the removal of grasslands from their historic uses. This report explores these trends and focuses on policies and mechanisms to facilitate grassland retention and restoration.
By: Richard Conner, Andrew Seidl, Larry VanTassell, and Neal Wilkins
High Quality (6.1 MB)
Screen Quality (2.3 MB)
Texas Rural Lands: Trends and Conservation Implications for the 21st Century
This report describes the key findings of an analysis of the status and recent changes in ownership size, land use and property values of private farms, ranches and forestlands in Texas. The goal of this work is to provide public and private decision makers with the data they need to plan for the conservation of working rural lands in Texas.
By: Neal Wilkins, Amy Hays, Dale Kubenka, Don Steinbach, William Grant, Edith Gonzalez, Michael Kjelland, and Julie Shackelford
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Rio Grande/Rio Bravo Basin: A Bibliography
The Rio Grande/Rio Bravo Basin drains some of the harshest terrain in North America. The river and its tributaries are major drainages for the plateau shrub lands of central New Mexico, the Chihuahuan Desert and the Tamaulipan Mezquital. The Chihuahuan Desert of New Mexico, Texas and Mexico ranks as the world's most biologically diverse desert ecoregion, supporting a species richness of more than 100 mammals, 250 birds, 100 reptiles and 20 amphibians.
By: Karine Gil and Neal Wilkins
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