Sourcebook: Summer 2020, Volume 1 Issue 1

TEXAS A&M NATURAL RESOURCES INSTITUTE

SOURCEBOOK SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS

RESEARCH REPORTS

SUMMER 2020 VOLUMEÂ 1 ISSUE 1

STEWARDSHIP RESOURCES

ABOUT

ABOUT THE NRI SOURCEBOOK Each season, the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute (NRI) publishes a digital collection of the recently published peer-reviewed scientific publications, research reports, and science-based resources developed to support the improvement of conservation, natural resource management and private land stewardship. Through interdisciplinary and applied research, education and policy, we are committed to solving natural resource issues and engaging land managers, citizens and policymakers throughout the process. Each item in the Sourcebook can be accessed on the NRI website, nri.tamu.edu.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Volume 1, Issue 1

Publications External temperature and distance from nearest entrance influence microclimates of cave and culvert‐roosting tri‐colored bats (Perimyotis subflavus)

1

From the ground up: microhabitat use within a landscape context frames the spatiotemporal scale of settlement and vacancy dynamics in an endemic habitat specialist

2

Immunochromatographic antibody screening for diagnosis of Trypanosoma cruzi in South Texas meso‐mammals

3

Variable effects of a changing climate on lay dates and productivity across the range of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker

4

Florida Key Deer abundance and recovery following New World Screwworm infestation

5

Modeling meso-mammal cave use in Central Texas New county records for the panhandle region of Texas Reproductive life history of 2 imperiled and 1 widely-distributed freshwater mussel species from the southwestern U.S.

6 7 8

REPORTS Status update and trends of Texas working lands West Texas landowner report: energy and growth trends

9 10

RESOURCES Sentinel Landscapes Partnership landowner resources tool Texas Quail Index 2019 summary Invasive Wild Pigs in North America: Ecology, Impacts, and Management Texas early notification tool developed for military and wind energy industry Private land stewardship vignettes

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PUBLICATIONS EXTERNAL TEMPERATURE AND DISTANCE FROM NEAREST ENTRANCE INFLUENCE MICROCLIMATES OF CAVE AND CULVERT‐ ROOSTING TRI‐COLORED BATS (PERIMYOTIS SUBFLAVUS)

AUTHORS: SAMANTHA LEIVERS MELISSA MEIERHOFER BRIAN PIERCE JONAH EVANS MICHAEL MORRISON

WHAT'S THE IMPACT? Research provides a better understanding of what factors affect the microclimate near roosting bat species, like the declining tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus), to aid roost site conservation and management.

CITATION Leivers, S.J., M.B. Meierhofer, B.L. Pierce, J.W. Evans, M.L. Morrison. 2019. External temperature and distance from nearest entrance influence microclimates of cave and culvert‐roosting tri‐colored bats (Perimyotis subflavus). Ecology and Evolution.

9: 14042–14052.

JOURNAL ABSTRACT Many North American bat species hibernate in both natural and artificial roosts. Although hibernacula can have high internal climate stability, they still retain spatial variability in their thermal regimes, resulting in various “microclimates” throughout the roost that differ in their characteristics (e.g., temperature and air moisture). These microclimate components can be influenced by factors such as the number of entrances, the depth of the roost, and distance to the nearest entrance of the roost. Tri‐colored bats (Perimyotis subflavus) are commonly found roosting in caves in winter, but they can also be found roosting in large numbers in culverts, providing the unique opportunity to investigate factors influencing microclimates of bats in both natural and artificial roost sites. As tri‐colored bats are currently under consideration for federal listing, information of this type could be useful in aiding in the conservation and management of this species through a better understanding of what factors affect the microclimate near roosting bats. We collected data on microclimate temperature and microclimate actual water vapor pressure (AWVP) from a total of 760 overwintering tri‐ colored bats at 18 caves and 44 culverts. Using linear mixed models analysis, we found that variation in bat microclimate temperatures was best explained by external temperature and distance from nearest entrance in both caves and culverts. External temperature had a greater influence on microclimate temperatures in culverts than caves. We found that variation in microclimate AWVP was best explained by external temperature, distance from nearest entrance, and proportion from entrance (proportion of the total length of the roost from the nearest entrance) in culvert‐roosting bats.

Variation in microclimate AWVP was best explained by external temperature and proportion from entrance in cave‐ roosting bats. Our results suggest that bat microclimate temperature and AWVP are influenced by similar factors in both artificial and natural roosts, although the relative contribution of these factors differs between roost types.

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This project was supported by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's State Wildlife Grant Program (CFDA# 15.611) as administered by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (CFDA# 15.657).

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PUBLICATIONS FROM THE GROUND UP: MICROHABITAT USE WITHIN A LANDSCAPE CONTEXT FRAMES THE SPATIOTEMPORAL SCALE OF SETTLEMENT AND VACANCY DYNAMICS IN AN ENDEMIC HABITAT SPECIALIST

AUTHORS: DANIELLE WALKUP WADE RYBERG LEE FITZGERALD TOBY HIBBITTS

WHAT'S THE IMPACT? Research indicated that Dunes Sagebrush Lizard (Sceloporus arenicolus, DSL) habitat use can be variable under certain microhabitat conditions.

Since DSL do not consistently use all their available habitat, great care should be taken in determining truly unoccupied habitat available to development.

JOURNAL ABSTRACT Understanding how species are distributed throughout landscapes requires knowledge of the hierarchy of habitat selection made by individuals, the resulting spatiotemporal structure of demography, and the consequent dynamics of localized populations. We examined how patterns of habitat use, settlement, and vacancy in an endemic habitat specialist, Sceloporus arenicolus (dunes sagebrush lizard), varied within the Mescalero Monahans Sandhills ecosystem.

We used a 4-year mark-recapture dataset to develop occupancy models that identified whether microhabitat or landscape scale best predicted S. areniolus spatiotemporal habitat use, settlement, and vacancy, in both an undisturbed and disturbed landscape. Our results showed areas of high quality habitat were used constantly and lower quality areas were used intermittently, but repeatedly, over time in the undisturbed landscape. Habitat use in the disturbed landscape was spatiotemporally unpredictable. Microhabitat variables characterizing dune landscape topography predicted the probability of use in S. arenicolus, while landscape-scale variables predicted probabilities of settlement and vacancy. In the undisturbed landscape, future settlement was predicted by presence of S. arenicolus, a pattern consistent with finescale source-sink dynamics already described for this species. Our results illustrate how spatially discrete but temporally-linked areas should be conserved at fine spatiotemporal scales to secure persistence of S. arenicolus populations under variable environmental conditions. Disturbances to habitat continuity can disrupt individual movements and create inconsistently occupied habitat patches that appear to be unoccupied and thus are threatened by further disturbances.

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CITATION Walkup, D.K., W.A. Ryberg, L.A. Fitzgerald, T.J. Hibbitts. From the ground up: microhabitat use within a landscape context frames the spatiotemporal scale of settlement and vacancy dynamics in an endemic habitat specialist. Landscape Ecol 34, 2631–2647 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-019-00909-5.

This study was funded by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and the Texas A&M University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Tom Slick Graduate Fellowship.

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PUBLICATIONS IMMUNOCHROMATOGRAPHIC ANTIBODY SCREENING FOR DIAGNOSIS OF TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI IN SOUTH TEXAS MESO‐MAMMALS

AUTHORS: MATHEW KRAMM III ANDREA MONTALVO ISRAEL PARKER ROEL LOPEZ RODEON GORCHAKOV MELISSA NOLAN

WHAT'S THE IMPACT? The utility of combining an antibody and DNAbased assay for simultaneous Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) infection detection has been largely under-explored. Research examines an effective rapid testing system for a first‐line T. cruzi antibody detection to mass screen for disease infection in meso‐mammals.

JOURNAL ABSTRACT American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) is caused by the flagellated protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), a zoonotic parasite found in meso‐mammal species in South Texas. Chagas disease is of growing concern in vertebrate species, and not well‐understood. Protocols for detection of mammalian T. cruzi infection are available, but have poor specificity and sensitivity and require a secondary disease confirmation assay. The utility of combining an antibody‐based and a DNA‐based assay for simultaneous T. cruzi infection detection has been largely under-explored. Our objectives were to evaluate commercially available single‐use Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. DPP® (Dual Path Platform) immunochromatographic rapid detection assay device for the detection of antibodies to T. cruzi in meso‐mammal species as compared with standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for T. cruzi DNA. In May and June 2016, we tested the device on whole blood serum from 50 meso‐mammals including raccoons (Procyon lotor), Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana), fox squirrels (Sciurus niger), rock squirrels (Otospermophilus variegatus), a striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), a nine‐banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus), and a ringtail (Bassariscus astutus) in Central Texas. Our results showed the Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. DPP® immunochromatographic rapid detect assay system identified infection in 74% of meso‐ mammals that tested positive by PCR. This testing device shows promise as an effective first‐line T. cruzi antibody detection device to mass screen for disease infection in meso‐mammals.

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CITATION Kramm III, M., A.E. Montalvo, I.D. Parker, R.R. Lopez, R. Gorchakov, M.S. Nolan. Immunochromatographic Antibody Screening for Diagnosis of Trypanosoma cruzi in South Texas Meso‐Mammals. Wildlife Society Bulletin.43(4):678-682; 2019; 10.1002/wsb.1030.

This project was funded by the Department of Defense Legacy Resource Management Program.

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PUBLICATIONS VARIABLE EFFECTS OF A CHANGING CLIMATE ON LAY DATES AND PRODUCTIVITY ACROSS THE RANGE OF THE RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER

AUTHORS: STEPHANIE DEMAY JEFFREY WALTERS

WHAT'S THE IMPACT? Research evaluated the long-term impacts of climate change on the breeding biology of the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Dryobates borealis). Populations vary in their ability to adapt to changing conditions and their optimal range may be shifting northwards.

JOURNAL ABSTRACT Many temperate bird species are breeding earlier in response to warming temperatures. We examined the effects of climate on breeding phenology and productivity in 19 populations across the range of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Dryobates borealis), an endangered species endemic to pine (Pinus spp.) forests in the southeastern United States. Redcockaded Woodpeckers nested earlier in warmer springs and delayed nesting in wetter springs. Earlier nesting and larger group sizes resulted in higher productivity. Spring temperatures have warmed over time across the range, but this has not led to range-wide advances in nesting date over time. Coastal and northern populations have exhibited a trend of earlier nesting over time, but the response of inland populations has been variable, including some populations in which nesting has become later over time. Geographic patterns included high and increasing productivity at higher latitudes, and declining productivity in the southwestern portion of the range, suggesting a possible shift in acceptable climate conditions for the species. Earlier nesting over time was associated with increasing productivity at higher latitudes, while elsewhere earlier nesting over time was associated with declining or stable productivity, suggesting that populations differ in their ability to adjust to a changing climate. The Red-cockaded Woodpecker is a habitat specialist heavily reliant on habitat management and has little capacity to shift its range, so its long-term viability will depend on its ability to adjust in place to changing local conditions.

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CITATION DeMay, S.M., J.R. Walters. 2019. Variable effects of a changing climate on lay dates and productivity across the range of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker.

The Condor, Volume 121; Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1093/condor/duz048.

Funding for this research was provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bailey Fund from Virginia Tech.

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PUBLICATIONS FLORIDA KEY DEER ABUNDANCE AND RECOVERY FOLLOWING NEW WORLD SCREWWORM INFESTATION

AUTHORS: ISRAEL PARKER ROEL LOPEZ NOVA SILVY BRIAN PIERCE KATE WATTS

ERIN MYERS SAMANTHA GIBBS DONALD DAVIS JARED BEAVER ALISON LUND

JOURNAL ABSTRACT An infestation of Cochliomyia hominivorax (New World Screwworm, hereafter Screwworm) was detected in the endangered Odocoileus virginianus clavium (Florida Key Deer) population in July 2016. We assessed the impact of this infestation on Florida Key Deer population abundance and recovery potential. We synthesized historical mortality and population data with new analyses including monitoring of Florida Key Deer mortalities and estimation of abundance on Big Pine Key and No Name Key (islands that support 75% of the Florida Key Deer population). We documented 135 Screwworm-related Florida Key Deer mortalities (~9–20% of the total population) during the Screwworm outbreak (July 2016–January 2017). Most mortalities occurred in the adult male population, as Screwworm flies laid eggs on open wounds sustained from sparring during mating season. The Screwworm incident was contained prior to the 2017 fawning season, which prevented substantial negative impacts on females or fawns. Historical growth rates at similar population levels and sex ratios indicated that, absent other external variables (e.g., Hurricane Irma in September 2017), the population was likely to recover.

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WHAT'S THE IMPACT? Research assessed the impacts of the 2016 New World Screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) infestation on the endangered Florida Key Deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium). Monitoring information was used to directly inform and contain the Screwworm infestation.

CITATION Parker, I.D., R.R. Lopez, N.J. Silvy, B.L. Pierce, K.G. Watts, E.P. Myers, S.E.J. Gibbs, D.S. Davis, J.T. Beaver, A.A. Lund. 2020. Florida Key Deer Abundance and Recovery Following New World Screwworm Infestation. Southeastern Naturalist. 19(2):179–191.

This research was supported by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

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PUBLICATIONS MODELING MESO-MAMMAL CAVE USE IN CENTRAL TEXAS

AUTHORS: ANDREA MONTALVO ROEL LOPEZ ISRAEL PARKER NOVA SILVY SUSAN COOPER RUSTY FEAGIN

JOURNAL ABSTRACT Scat of meso-mammals provides nutrients to cave-obligate species. If there are too few nutrient inputs, cave-obligate species have no resources, but too much and caves are invaded by terrestrial species. Our goal for this project was to determine what combination of variables most influence meso-mammal cave use by building a multinomial regression model using data collected from cave entrances in Central Texas. Variables of importance in our model relate to cave accessibility, including the raccoons' (Procyon lotor) and Virginia opossums' (Didelphis virginiana) greater dexterity, and the added bulk from the North American porcupine's (Erethizon dorsatum) quills. Our model can be used to predict and manage meso-mammal cave use in Central Texas. This will be especially useful in this region because North American porcupine have only recently expanded their range into Central Texas and their prolific nutrient inputs, previously absent from the ecosystem, could endanger cave-obligate species.

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WHAT'S THE IMPACT? Newly developed model used to predict and manage meso-mammal cave use in Central Texas where North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) have recently expanded their range, potentially endangering caveobligate species.

CITATION Montalvo, A.E., R.R. Lopez, I.D. Parker, N.J. Silvy, S.M. Cooper, R.A. Feagin. 2020. Modeling mesomammal cave use in central Texas. Southwestern Naturalist 64:43–52.

This study was completed with the financial and personal support of the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute and Texas A&M University.

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PUBLICATIONS NEW COUNTY RECORDS FOR THE PANHANDLE REGION OF TEXAS

(C) TOBY HIBBITTS

AUTHORS: COREY FIELDER DANIELLE WALKUP WADE RYBERG TOBY HIBBITTS

JOURNAL INTRODUCTION The Texas, USA panhandle is an under-represented region in regard to amphibian and reptile records. Here, we report 27 county records observed while performing driving surveys for Massasauga (Sistrurus tergeminus)

WHAT'S THE IMPACT? Undergraduate-led research contributed 27 new wildlife records documenting the distribution and basic life history of wildlife in the Texas Panhandle, an area with limited survey records.

during the month of June 2019. All specimen vouchers were deposited in the Biodiversity Research and Teaching Collections, Texas A&M University (TCWC). Anuran recordings and photo vouchers were also deposited at TCWC and given a photo voucher number (TCWCPV). All identifications were verified by Travis J. LaDuc and common and scientific names follow Crother (2017).

CITATION Fielder, C.M., D.K. Walkup, W.A. Ryberg, and T.J. Hibbitts. 2020. New County Records for the Panhandle Region of Texas, USA. Herpetological Review 51(1): 87-89.

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Specimens were collected under a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department permit issued to TJH (SPR-0506-662). This is publication number 1612 of the Biodiversity Research and Teaching Collections.

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PUBLICATIONS REPRODUCTIVE LIFE HISTORY OF 2 IMPERILED AND 1 WIDELY- DISTRIBUTED FRESHWATER MUSSEL SPECIES FROM THE SOUTHWESTERN U.S.

AUTHORS: JACK DUDDING MICHAEL HART JENNIFER KHAN CLINTON ROBERTSON ROEL LOPEZ CHARLES RANDKLEV

WHAT'S THE IMPACT? Research informed mussel reproductive life history, age structure, and growth rates important for understanding and predicting how species can be best managed, especially for 2 key species pending review for listing under the Endangered Species Act.

CITATION Dudding, J.F., M. Hart, J.M. Khan, C.R. Robertson, R.R. Lopez, C.R. Randklev. Reproductive life history of 2 imperiled and 1 widely- distributed freshwater mussel species from the southwestern United States.

Freshwater Science. 2020. 39(1): 156–168.

JOURNAL ABSTRACT Information on mussel reproductive life history, age, and growth is important for understanding evolutionary and ecological relationships and predicting how species will respond to conservation and management strategies intended to mitigate threats. In Texas, located within the southwestern United States, 11 species are pending review for listing under the Endangered Species Act, and information on mussel reproductive life history, age, and growth is lacking for most of these species. To address this knowledge gap, we examined life-history traits for 2 imperiled mussel species (Cyclonaias necki, Guadalupe Orb, and Fusconaia mitchelli, False Spike) and 1 common, widely-distributed species (C. pustulosa, Pimpleback) from a site in the lower Guadalupe River, located in Central Texas.

The resulting information was then compared with existing life-history information for mussels. We observed peak sperm production between late January to early March and peak mean egg diameter from late winter to early summer in all 3 species. Brooding was observed in all species, usually between March and June, and brooding behavior and glochidia morphology were similar to those of congeners studied in other locations. Accumulated degree days was important in regulating the timing of gametogenesis and potentially the duration of brooding for all 3 species.

Fecundity estimates for C. necki and F. mitchelli were much lower than the values reported for congeners in other locations. Fecundity was associated with both mussel age and shell length, although length was a better predictor than age. Trematode infestation rates were high (âˆź30%) in C. necki and C. pustulosa, and sex ratios were skewed toward males, which could mean that females are disproportionately affected. The age distribution and individual growth rate for C. necki and F. mitchelli closely mirror those of related congeners, although the maximum observed age for C. necki did not meet theoretical expectations based on the estimated growth rate for this species. It is unknown why fecundity is reduced for C. necki and F. mitchelli or why C. necki may have reduced longevity, but these differences could be the result of environmental change.

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Financial support for this study was provided by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Grant Texas T-130-1.

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REPORTS

STATUS UPDATE AND TRENDS OF TEXAS WORKING LANDS

WHAT'S THE IMPACT? Texas working lands, or privately-owned farms, ranches, and forests, are under increasing land conversion pressure driven by rapid population growth, suburbanization, and rural development, creating implications for rural economies. For two decades, the Texas Land Trends Status Update and Trends report has informed landowners and state decision-makers of trends occurring on the landscape. In this 5-year update, we examine working land and demographic data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, and the U.S. Census Bureau to help define the status in land values, ownership size and land use of privately-owned Texas working lands. Findings from this latest report update include comparisons between 1997 to 2017 data, to assess changes and patterns occurring over-time.

AUTHORS: ADDIE SMITH ROEL LOPEZ ALISON LUND BRITTANY WEGNER JIM CATHEY ANGELICA LOPEZ ROSS ANDERSON GARRETT POWERS KEVIN SKOW MATT CRAWFORD CITATION Smith, L.A., R.R. Lopez, A.A. Lund, B.N. Wegner, J.C. Cathey, A. Lopez, R.E. Anderson, G.W. Powers, K.L. Skow, M.A. Crawford.

2019. Status Update and Trends of Texas Working Lands. Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, College Station, TX, USA.

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REPORTS

WEST TEXAS LANDOWNER REPORT: ENERGY AND GROWTH TRENDS Developed in partnership with the Texas Agricultural Land Trust and the Borderlands Research Institute, funded by the Cynthia & George Mitchell Foundation.

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AUTHORS: ANGELICA LOPEZ ROEL LOPEZ KEVIN SKOW MATT CRAWFORD

CITATION Lopez, A., R.R. Lopez, K.L. Skow, M.A. Crawford. 2019.

West Texas Landowner Report: Energy and Growth Trends. Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, College Station, TX, USA.

WHAT'S THE IMPACT? Texas is comprised of 141 million acres of private farms, ranches, and forestlands, leading the nation in land area devoted to privately-owned working lands. We define working lands as privately-owned farms, ranches, or forest lands, which provide food and fiber, support rural economies, and provide recreational opportunities, among other products and services. These privately-owned acres are stewarded by nearly 250,000 landowners, each with their own objectives in managing their property. West Texas has remained primarily rural and less impacted by urban development as other regions across the state. The Brewster, Jeff Davis, and Presidio County region is experiencing land-use changes due to more recent urban development pressure largely driven by energy development activity.

In response, several organizations, agencies and industries are working collaboratively to promote a balance between a strong state economy and a rural, wild landscape that characterizes the far western region of the state. The purpose of this report is to compile information that can serve to better inform key partners and organizations working to conserve and shape the future of West Texas.

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RESOURCES

SENTINEL LANDSCAPES PARTNERSHIP LANDOWNER RESOURCES TOOL The Sentinel Landscapes Partnership introduced an Interactive Landowner Resources Tool as part of the newly designed website. The mission for this product is to make it easier for private landowners to find voluntary state and federal landowner assistance programs. Whether you are a private landowner, conservation organization, or government office, the tool streamlines your search process by compiling over 300 landowner assistance programs in a single, user-friendly location.

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PHOTO BY SAROWEN, FLICKR

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RESOURCES

TEXAS QUAIL INDEX 2019 SUMMARY

The numbers are in for this year’s Texas Quail Index, and the reigning sentiment across the state appears to be “a slight improvement over last year, but less than we’d hoped for.”

It’s difficult not to feel disappointed with the red letter years of 2016 and 17 still fresh in the minds of many quail enthusiasts, but it looks like we’ll have to wait at least one more year before this bust really turns around.

With that in mind, we can examine data from each of the Texas Quail Index demonstrations to see what has been going on with quail populations and habitat in 2019.

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RESOURCES

INVASIVE WILD PIGS IN NORTH AMERICA: ECOLOGY, IMPACTS, AND MANAGEMENT

Invasive Wild Pigs in North America: Ecology, Impacts, and Management addresses all aspects of wild pig biology, ecology, damage, and management in a single comprehensive volume. It assimilates and organizes information on the most destructive introduced vertebrate species in the United States, establishing a foundation from which managers, researchers, policy makers, and other stakeholders can build upon into the future.

The book provides comprehensive coverage of wild pig biology and ecology, techniques for management and research, and regional chapters. It is an asset to readers interested in wild pigs, the resources they impact, and how to mitigate those impacts, and establishes a vision of the future of wild pigs in North America.

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RESOURCES

TEXAS EARLY NOTIFICATION TOOL DEVELOPED FOR MILITARY AND WIND ENERGY INDUSTRY

Funded by the Texas Military Preparedness Commission (TMPC) within the Office of the Governor, U.S. Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA), NRI created an interactive web tool—the Texas Early Notification Tool (TENT). This web tool was developed through input and collaboration with the American Wind Energy Association, military communities, and military installations. This tool allows users to screen potential development sites to determine if the new development could interfere with military assets, in particular military airspace and radars. This proactive screening tool facilitates engagement between military installations, industry, and military communities by providing up to date contact information of the potentially impacted military entities, helping create early communications between stakeholders.

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RESOURCES

PRIVATE LAND STEWARDSHIP VIGNETTE EXPERIENCES For landowners, educators, outdoor enthusiasts and conservationists, NRI launched a series of online researchbased Private Land Stewardship vignettes teaching about vegetation, wildlife and natural resource management in ways that are accessible at any time.

Each month, NRI releases new decks on platforms that are easy to navigate and diverse for every stage of learner. Access the experiences below to join our virtual community of practice.

FEATURED VIGNETTES Anatomy of a Quail — Teaches about the internal and external anatomy of a quail through an interactive tool.

About the Western Chicken Turtle — Describes the biological and conservation requirements for the western chicken turtle, as well as its identification, habitat and feeding.

What Do Quail Eat? — Shows the insects, grasses and forbs quail consume, using an interactive tool to test user knowledge.

Using the Wild Pig Reporting Tool — Describes an

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easy-to-use reporting tool the institute has developed as a way for landowners to report wild pig sightings.

How to Find Natural Resource Professionals in Texas — Provides information on trusted organizations where natural resource conservation or management information can be found.

How To Construct Wildlife Ramps — Shows how to build a protective ramp so wildlife can take advantage of watering troughs and tanks typically used for livestock.

How to Map with the Map My Property Tool — Demonstrates how to use the Texas A&M Forest Service's Map My Property Tool to visualize your property and make smart land management decisions.

CITATION Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute. (Year). Private Land Stewardship Academy (Name of Deck). (Code).

Retrieved from https://nri.tamu.edu/learning/.

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TEXAS A&M NATURAL RESOURCES INSTITUTE

SOURCEBOOK SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS

RESEARCH REPORTS

SUMMER 2020 VOLUMEÂ 1 ISSUE 1

STEWARDSHIP RESOURCES