Sourcebook: Volume III Winter 2022

SOURCE BOOK

Volume III Winter 2022

SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS FROM NRI'S RESEARCHERS FIELD RESEARCH REPORTS LAND MANAGEMENT AND STEWARDSHIP RESOURCES

WHERE CONSERVATION AND APPLIED RESEARCH MEET

Each season, the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute (NRI) publishes a digital collection of the recently published, peerreviewed scientific publications, research reports, and sciencebased 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.

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ABOUT THE NRI SOURCEBOOK

ABLE OF CONTENT

publications Improving species status assessments under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and implications for multispecies conservation challenges worldwide page 4 Factors associated with listing decisions under the U.S. Endangered Species Act page 5 The endangered White Sands pupfish genome reveals low diversity and heterogenous patterns of differentiation page 6 Earliest evidence of marine habitat use by mammals

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Population genetic and genomic analyses of Western Massasauga: implications for subspecies delimitation and conservation page 8 Assessing traffic threats for amphibian and reptile species of greatest conservation need on Texas roadways page 9 Natural history of the spot-tailed earless lizards

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Ten-year projection of white-nose syndrome disease dynamics at the southern leading-edge of infection in North America page 11 Itching for recognition: Dermatophytosis identified in an Eastern spotted skunk population in Texas page 12 Optimization of DNA extraction from a field-collected mammalian whole blood on filter paper for Trypanosoma cruzi (chagas disease) detection page 13

reports Military Land Use Compatibility in Texas: 2021 Texas Military Airspace & Land Use Projections

page 15 page 16

Wildlife use of ivermectin bait sites on East Foundation’s El Sauz Ranch, South Texas page 17

resources Threatened and Endangered Species Forecast TxMAP: Mapping for conservation Land stewardship lesson highlights

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page 20 page 21 SOURCEBOOK VOLUME III WINTER 2022

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SOURCEBOOK VOLUME III WINTER 2022

PUBLICATIONS

Improving species status assessments under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and implications for multispecies conservation challenges worldwide

Despite its successes, the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) has proven challenging to implement due to funding limitations, workload backlog, and other problems. As threats to species survival intensify and as more species come under threat, the need for the ESA and similar conservation laws and policies in other countries to function efficiently has grown.

Attempts by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to streamline ESA decisions include multispecies recovery plans and habitat conservation plans. We address species status assessment (SSA), a USFWS process to inform ESA decisions from listing to recovery, within the context of multispecies and ecosystem planning. Although existing SSAs have a single-species focus, ecosystem-based research can efficiently inform multiple SSAs within a region and provide a foundation for transition to multispecies SSAs in the future.

We considered at-risk grassland species and ecosystems within the southeastern United States, where a disproportionate number of rare and endemic species are associated with grasslands. To initiate our ecosystem-based approach, we used a combined literaturebased and structured World Café workshop format to identify science needs for SSAs. Discussions concentrated on 5 categories of threats to grassland species and ecosystems, consistent with recommendations to make shared threats a focus of planning under the ESA: (1) habitat loss, fragmentation, and disruption of functional connectivity; (2) climate change; (3) altered disturbance regimes; (4) invasive species; and (5) localized impacts. For each threat, workshop participants identified science and information

needs, including database availability, research priorities, and modeling and mapping needs.

Grouping species by habitat and shared threats can make the SSA process and other planning processes for conservation of at-risk species worldwide more efficient and useful.

We found a combination of literature review and structured discussion effective for identifying the scientific information and analysis needed to support the development of multiple SSAs.

Authors Reed Noss Jennifer Cartwright Dwayne Estes Theo Witsell Gregg Elliott Daniel Matthew Albrecht Boyles Patrick Comer Chris Doffitt

Don Faber-Langendoen JoVonn Hill William Hunter Wesley Knapp Michael Marshall Jason Singhurst Christopher Tracey Jeffrey Walck Alan Weakley

Cite Noss, R.F., J.M. Cartwright, D. Estes, T. Witsell, G. Elliott, D. Adams, M. Albrecht, R. Boyles, P. Comer, C. Doffitt, and D. Faber‐Langendoen, 2021. Improving species status assessments under the US Endangered Species Act and implications for multispecies conservation challenges worldwide.

Conservation Biology, 35, 1715-1724.

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Factors associated with listing decisions under the U.S. Endangered Species Act

Conservation efforts, including authorities outlined in the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, are attempting to slow the decline of species. Opinions on the success of the ESA vary widely, due in part to few species historically recovering to the point of delisting.

Uncertainty surrounding the ESA relates to listing decisions and ambiguity of terminology within the ESA itself.

Our goal was to evaluate the relationship, if any, of species characteristics, population metrics, threat level, and potential nonbiological indicators to listing decisions under the ESA by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

We collected data from 143 ESA listing decisions published in the Federal Register from February 2011 to October 2014. Only 33 and 31% of listing decisions included population or range size estimates, respectively. Factors significantly correlated with ESA listing decision included taxonomic group, primary ownership of the species’ habitat (federal or non-federal), whether the species is aquatic or terrestrial, and whether the species was part of a single or multiple species listing decision. Increasing number of listed threats and time as a candidate species correlated positively with being listed as endangered.

We have attempted to broadly identify the role both intrinsic (biological) and extrinsic (non-biological) factors play in listing decisions, and the importance of comprehensive data to understanding species distribution and abundance to facilitate more informed listing decisions.

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Gray wolf (canis lupus) by Gregory Smith

Authors Kathryn Smith-Hicks Michael Morrison

Cite Smith-Hicks, K.N. and M.L. Morrison, 2021.

Factors Associated with Listing Decisions under the US Endangered Species Act. Environmental Management, 67, 563-573.

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The endangered White Sands pupfish genome reveals low diversity and heterogenous patterns of differentiation

The White Sands pupfish (Cyprinodon tularosa), endemic to New Mexico in Southwestern North America, is of conservation concern due in part to invasive species, chemical pollution, and groundwater withdrawal. Herein, we developed a high quality draft reference genome and use it to provide biological insights into the evolution and conservation of C. tularosa. Specifically, we localized microsatellite markers previously used to demarcate Evolutionary Significant Units, evaluated the possibility of introgression into the C. tularosa genome, and compared genomic diversity among related species. The de novo assembly of PacBio Sequel II error-corrected reads resulted in a 1.08Gb draft genome with a contig N50 of 1.4Mb and 25,260 annotated protein coding genes, including 95% of the expected Actinopterigii conserved orthologs.

Many of the previously described C. tularosa microsatellite markers fell within or near genes and exhibited a pattern of increased heterozygosity near genic areas compared to those in intergenic regions. Genetic distances between C. tularosa and the widespread invasive species C. variegatus, which diverged ~1.6-4.7 MYA, were 0.027 (nuclear) and 0.022 (mitochondrial).

Nuclear alignments revealed putative tracts of introgression that merit further investigation. Genome-wide heterozygosity was markedly lower in C. tularosa compared to estimates from related species, likely because of smaller long-term effective population sizes constrained by their isolated and limited habitat.

These population inferences, generated from our new genome assembly, provide insights into the long term and contemporary White Sands pupfish populations that are integral to future management efforts.

White Sands Pupfish, Cyprinodon tularosa, female.

Source: Nature's Images, Inc., Science Source

Authors Andrew Black Janna Willoughby Anna Brüniche-Olsen Brian Pierce Andrew DeWoody

Cite Black, A., J. Willoughby, A. Brüniche-Olsen, B.L. Pierce, and A. DeWoody. 2020. The Endangered White Sands pupfish (Cyprinodon tularosa) genome reveals low diversity and heterogenous patterns of differentiation. Authorea.

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Earliest evidence of marine habitat use by mammals

Evidence for the earliest invasion of the marine realm by mammals was previously restricted to Eocene (48.6–37.8 Ma) skeletal remains. We report incontrovertible ichnofossil evidence for brackish-water habitat use by at least two mammalian species in southern Wyoming during the late Paleocene (58 Ma). These are the first Paleocene mammal trackways recorded in the United States and only the fourth documented in the world. Multiple tracks preserved in restricted marine deposits represent animals repeatedly walking across submerged to partially emergent tidal flats. Hundreds of tracks are preserved in planform and crosssectional exposure within five horizons along a 1032 m tracksite.

Four prints exhibit five clear toe imprints, while two others distinctly display four toes. Some tracks penetrate beds populated by dwelling traces of marine bivalves and polychaetes in the upper layers and sea anemones at the base. Candidates for the five-toed tracemakers are pantodonts such as Titanoides, Barylambda, and Coryphodon, which have been recovered from late Paleocene strata throughout western North America. The four-toed tracks provide the earliest evidence of previouslyundescribed large artiodactyls and/or tapiroids, mutually supporting recent molecular phylogenetic studies that place the origin of Cetartiodactyla near the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary (~ 67.7 Ma). Collectively, these trackways irrefutably demonstrate the utility of ichnological data in reconstructing the evolutionary history and adaptive behaviors of extinct taxa beyond the evidence provided by body fossils alone.

Authors Anton Wroblewski Bonnie Gulas-Wroblewski

Cite Wroblewski, A.F.J., B.E. Gulas-Wroblewski. 2021.

Earliest evidence of marine habitat use by mammals.

Scientific Reports, 11:1-12.

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From Figure 7. Example of wide gauge trackway and candidate track maker. (a) Walk cycle of Coryphodon inferred from trackway showing slow, direct register to understep walk.

Biomechanical reconstruction was constrained by skeletal elements preserved for C. radians (modified from original18) as depicted at lower left; (b) Photograph of trackway from which a is modeled.

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Population genetic and genomic analyses of Western Massasauga: implications for subspecies delimitation and conservation

The Western Massasauga (Sistrurus tergeminus) is a small North American rattlesnake found west of the Mississippi River.

Sistrurus tergeminus has previously been divided into two putative subspecies, Desert (S. t. edwardsii) and Prairie Massasaugas (S. t. tergeminus) based upon qualitative variation in morphology, coloration, and habitat. The Desert Massasauga subspecies has been formally petitioned for federal listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Our overarching goal was to evaluate genetic structure and genomic differentiation between specimens of the two putative subspecies in an effort to inform ongoing conservation assessments.

To that end, we generated whole genome sequence data for both putative taxa and then developed nearly 200 genetic markers from different fractions of the genome (~ 50 intergenic and ~ 50 genic markers from each of the two subspecies) to test for population structure across much of the Western Massasauga range. Mean genomic divergence between subspecies was 0.0041 ± 0.0080 (Kimura’s 2-parameter distance) for nuclear sequences and 0.0175 ± 0.0031 for mitochondrial sequences, both exceedingly low values which approach the minimum of zero. Admixture analyses and F-statistics both indicated that regardless of how the markers were partitioned, genetic structure was oriented far more along a geographic axis (isolation-by-distance) than a taxonomic axis (i.e., between putative subspecies). Overall, our analyses provide little support that formal protection of the purported Desert Massasauga is warranted based on the homogeneity of the collective Western Massasauga gene pool.

Western massasauga by Toby Hibbitts, AgriLife

Authors Rian Bylsma Danielle Walkup Toby Hibbitts Wade Ryberg Andrew Black Andrew DeWoody

Cite Bylsma, R., D.K. Walkup, T.J. Hibbitts, W.A. Ryberg, A.N. Black, J.A. DeWoody. 2021. Population genetic and genomic analyses of Western Massasauga (Sistrurus tergeminus ssp.): implications for subspecies delimitation and conservation.

Conservation Genetics, pp.1-13.

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Assessing traffic threats for amphibian and reptile species of greatest conservation need on Texas roadways

Transportation planning is complicated by natural resource and environmental issues, and project planning and delivery are more efficient when environmental impacts are known early.

Many environmental impacts involve state and federally listed threatened and endangered (TE) species. Wildlife-vehicle collision (WVC) data can improve environmental impact assessments for TE species. Accurate WVC data has been collected for amphibian and reptile species on Texas roadways since 2012, in the form of observations in the “Herps of Texas” project on the citizen science platform iNaturalist. These data were used to create a database of species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) recorded and verified in the state that was joined with Texas road traffic data from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and used to evaluate SGCN species presence and mortality on and near roads.

This report summarizes trends observed from 11,527 Research Grade quality records of 62 SGCN species used to characterize the importance of traffic volume in predicting mortality throughout the state for all SGCN on or near roads, including the federally endangered Houston Toad (Anaxyrus houstonensis), federally threatened Louisiana Pinesnake (Pituophis ruthveni), as well as the Crawfish Frog (Lithobates areolatus), Spottailed Earless Lizards (Holbrookia lacerata and H. subcaudalis), Texas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum), Western Massasauga (Sistrurus tergeminus), Rio Grande Cooter (Pseudemys gorzugi), Western Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia miaria), Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii), and Texas Tortoise (Gopherus berlandieri).

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Authors Danielle Walkup Kevin Skow Toby Hibbitts Wade Ryberg Roel Lopez

Cite Walkup, D.K., K.L. Skow, T.J. Hibbitts, W.A. Ryberg, and R.R. Lopez. 2019. Assessing Traffic Threats for Amphibian and Reptile Species of Greatest Conservation Need on Texas Roadways. Final Research Report submitted to Texas Department of Transportation. 620 pp.

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Natural history of the spot-tailed earless lizards

The conservation of rarely encountered species is notoriously difficult mainly because of the lack of information about their natural history.

This is definitely the case for the spot-tailed earless lizards (Holbrookia lacerata and H. subcaudalis). Sparse distributional records and infrequent observations at known sites were used as evidence to petition these species for protection under the Endangered Species Act. For this study, we did surveys in historic and new areas to determine the current distribution of both species. We also radiotracked individuals from two populations to estimate movement potential and home range sizes, as well as understand habitat use.

Distribution surveys indicate that H. lacerata has undergone range contraction (39%); however, H. subcaudalis was historically found in 21 counties but we only observed them in five. We found home ranges to be relatively large compared to similarly sized insectivores and at least four times larger than the similar H. maculata.

Both species are inhabitants of historic grasslands, but within this habitat type they used sites that were more open compared to what was available, including areas such as row-crop agriculture and frequently mowed fields. Frequent habitat disturbance seems to be important for both species. Urbanisation, invasive woody vegetation and invasive grasses are all considered threats that may have already caused declines to both species.

Spot-tailed earless lizard by AgriLife

Authors Toby Hibbitts Danielle Walkup Travis LaDuc Brad Wolaver Jon Pierre Mike Duran

Dalton Neuharth Shelby Frizzell Connor Adams Timothy Johnson Danny Yandell Wade Ryberg

Cite Hibbitts, T.J., D.K. Walkup, T.J. LaDuc, B.D. Wolaver, J.P. Pierre, M. Duran, D. Neuharth, S. Frizzell, C.S. Adams, T.E. Johnson, D. Yandell, and W.A. Ryberg.

2021. Natural History of the Spot-tailed Earless Lizards (Holbrookia lacerata and H. subcaudalis).

Journal of Natural History 55:7-8. DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2021.1907469

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Ten-year projection of white-nose syndrome disease dynamics at the southern leading-edge of infection in North America

Predicting the emergence and spread of infectious diseases is critical for effective conservation of biodiversity. White-nose syndrome (WNS), an emerging infectious disease of bats, has resulted in high mortality in eastern North America. Because the fungal causative agent Pseudogymnoascus destructans is constrained by temperature and humidity, spread dynamics may vary greatly by geography. Environmental conditions in the southern part of the continent, where disease dynamics are typically studied, making it difficult to predict how the disease will manifest. Herein, we modeled the spread of WNS in Texas based on available cave densities and average dispersal distances of species occupying these sites, and projected these results out to 10 years. We parameterized a predictive model of WNS epidemiology and its effects on hibernatory bat populations with observed environmental data from bat hibernation sites in Texas.

Our model suggests that bat populations in northern Texas will be more affected by WNS mortality than southern Texas. As such, we recommend prioritizing the preservation of large overwintering colonies of bats in north Texas through management actions. Our model further illustrates that infectious disease spread and infectious disease severity can become uncoupled over a gradient of environmental variation. Finally, our results highlight the importance of understanding host, pathogen and environmental conditions in various settings to elucidate what may happen across a breadth of environments.

Figure 3. Interpolation of the carrying-capacityscaled infection output for (a) 5 and (b) 10 years of simulation.

Authors Melissa Meierhofer Thomas Lilley Lasse Ruokolainen Joseph Johnson Steven Parratt

Michael Morrison Brian Pierce Jonah Evans Jani Anttila

Cite Meierhofer, M.B., T.M. Lilley, L. Ruokolainen, J.S. Johnson, S.R. Parratt, M.L. Morrison, B.L. Pierce, J.W. Evans and J. Anttila. 2021. Ten-year projection of white-nose syndrome disease dynamics at the southern leading-edge of infection in North America. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 288(1952), p.20210719.

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Itching for recognition: Dermatophytosis identified in an Eastern spotted skunk population in Texas

The diversity, clinical manifestations, and impact on overall health of pathogenic fungi in Spilogale putorius (Eastern Spotted Skunk [ESS]) have been poorly investigated. Herein, we describe the first reported cases of fungal dermatitis in ESS from a population in southeastern Texas. In 2016, two of three ESS live-trapped in Harris County, TX, exhibited symptoms consistent with dermatophytosis. We isolated fungus from 1 of 2 cultures grown from scraped samples of infected ESS skin and morphologically identified it as Microsporum canis.

Reviewing local wildlife rehabilitation records, we were able to confirm the prevalence of dermatophytosis within local mephitid populations. We examine the implications of the discovery of a zoonotic fungal pathogen in ESS in light of its importance in wildlife medicine as well as its ramifications for the health of domestic animals and humans.

Authors Bonnie Gulas-Wroblewski Melinda Luper Alexandra Gibson Clint Perkins Robert Dowler

Cite Gulas-Wroblewski, B.E., M.D. Luper, A.A. Gibson, J.C. Perkins, and R.C. Dowler. 2021.

Itching for recognition: dermatophytosis identified in an eastern spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius) population in Texas.

Southeastern Naturalist, 20(sp11):191-198.

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Eastern spotted skunk by Robby Fleischman

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Optimization of DNA extraction from a field-collected mammalian whole blood on filter paper for chagas disease detection

Blood filter paper strips are cost-effective materials used to store body fluid specimens under challenging field conditions, extending the reach of zoonotic pathogen surveillance and research. We describe an optimized procedure for the extraction of parasite DNA from whole blood (WB) stored on Type I Advantec Nobuto strips from both experimentally spiked and field-collected specimens from canine and skunks, respectively. When comparing two commercial kits for extraction, Qiagen's DNeasy Blood & Tissue Kit performed best for the detection of parasite DNA by PCR from Trypanosoma cruzispiked canine WB samples on Nobuto strips.

To further optimize recovery of β-actin from field-collected skunk WB archived on Nobuto strips, we modified the extraction procedures for the Qiagen kit with a 90 °C incubation step and extended incubation post-addition of proteinase K, a method subsequently employed to identify a T. cruzi infection in one of the skunks.

Using this optimized extraction method can efficaciously increase the accuracy and precision of future molecular epidemiologic investigations targeting neglected tropical diseases in field-collected WB specimens on filter strips.

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Authors Bonnie Gulas-Wroblewski Rebecca Kairis Rodion Gorchakov Anna Wheless Kristy Murray

Cite Gulas-Wroblewski, B.E., R.B. Kairis, R. Gorchakov, A. Wheless and K.O. Murray, 2021.

Optimization of DNA extraction from fieldcollected mammalian whole blood on filter paper for Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas disease) detection. Pathogens, 10:1040.

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SOURCEBOOK VOLUME III WINTER 2022

REPORTS

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Tony Parisi Alison Lund

MILITARY LAND USE COMPATIBILITY IN TEXAS: 2021 The state and the military have a long history of working together to build a stronger Texas and a more secure nation. Despite the many shared goals and positive interactions among the state, local communities and military installations, certain actions (or inaction) by one entity can sometimes directly or indirectly impact the others and create conflict. As communities develop and expand in response to population growth, economic investment, and market demands, land use decisions can push incompatible land use development closer to military installations and operating areas. The resulting land use conflicts, often referred to as encroachment, can have negative effects on the sustainment of military activities and overall readiness, as well as on the quality of life, safety, and economic development of the state and local communities.

Addressing the overlap among the various local and regional land use compatibility studies from military communities across the state, a new report, Military Land Use Compatibility in Texas: 2021, focuses on identifying potential statewide actions, such as legislation, that would reduce or eliminate the land use conflicts many installations similarly encounter.

Photo by the Texas Military Preparedness Commission

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TEXAS MILITARY AIRSPACE & LAND USE PROJECTIONS

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REPORT AND COMPANION TOOL The U.S. military maintains a significant and critical presence throughout the state of Texas, spanning a combined footprint of over 1.5 million acres across 15 activeduty Army, Navy, and Air Force installations and the headquarters of Army Futures Command. With over $123 billion in economic impact to the state economy, military operations rivals many of the leading industries in Texas. The military mission, while imperative to national defense and the Texas economy, is under mounting pressure from various encroachment threats. Proactive land use planning is imperative to ensure the future functionality and capabilities of these installations. Military stakeholders recognize this need and are increasing efforts to engage in partnerships with surrounding communities, neighboring landowners, and local industries in forging innovative solutions for incompatible land use issues. The success of these efforts, however, requires an understanding of issues important to all stakeholders involved and, in many cases, a preemptive, collaborative approach.

To help visualize future land use change that may have present and future adverse implications on military test and training spaces, the newly developed desktop web application Texas Airspace Planning and Forecasting Tool (TAPFT) and companion report provides Texas military operation planners and training space managers with an interactive way to query and map specific aviation assets of interest and examine projected land use change across the state. Planners will more specifically be able to anticipate change on the landscape that could impact their missions and objectives allowing them an opportunity to target areas for early community engagement, avoiding potential development issues. TAPFT comes ready with a comprehensive user guide featuring the various tools, features and export capabilities with an option to view the demonstration video located within the tool.

SOURCEBOOK V:III REPORTS

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WILDLIFE USE OF IVERMECTIN BAIT SITES ON EAST FOUNDATION’S EL SAUZ RANCH, SOUTH TEXAS The East Foundation operates six separate ranches across South Texas that exceed 80,937 ha, employing ranchers, scientists, and support personnel to achieve their goals and objectives relating to land stewardship.

Wildlife management plays an integral part of rangeland sustainment by using experienced ranchers working in conjunction with wildlife managers and scientists.

This study was conducted on the East Foundation El Sauz Ranch to assess feeder usage and ivermectin corn consumption via oral delivery. There are several key recommendations or implications that can be used by the East Foundation and others interested in mitigating the impacts of cattle fever ticks. In the case of the East foundation, they are currently cattle fever tick free and can implement some of these recommendations as a mechanism for continuing to be tick-free.

Authors Mathew Kramm IV Mathew Kramm Tammi Johnson Roel Lopez Jewel Uzquiano

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SOURCEBOOK VOLUME III WINTER 2022

RESOURCES

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THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES FORECAST: A GUIDEBOOK Alison Lund Drew Finn

While land compatibility remains one of the most complex natural resource challenges for military installations, another equally critical aspect of land use is wildlife. The federal government owns 640 million acres of land in the U.S., including 25 million acres of biologically diverse landscapes that fall under the jurisdiction and management of the Department of Defense (DoD).

The importance of these DoD lands to sustainable wildlife populations and their unique habitats is well established, especially for species of conservation concern. A 2014 assessment report concluded that 458 federally listed threatened and endangered species and 555 at-risk species occur across military defense sites, and more than 40 of these species are found exclusively on DoD land. A multitude of federal, state, and local laws and regulations provide the legal framework for conservation and management of the natural resources on federal lands.

To assist installation natural resource managers in planning efforts related to monitoring and management of threatened and endangered species on installations, NRI developed the Threatened and Endangered Species Forecast Guidebook. This guidebook identifies species most likely to be listed as threatened or endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act in the near future, and that may occur on military installations in Texas. Through use of species summaries, managers gain the necessary background to begin proactive planning efforts that are critical in light of funding constraints.

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TxMAP

MAPPING FOR CONSERVATION Navigate, select data, discover trends, solve for natural resources Over the last year, our geospatial analysis team ideated and developed a web-based desktop mapping application called TxMAP allowing users to see how the water, wildlife, military and demography data we use relates to the land around it.

Readers can explore the data layers to answer questions and better visualize natural resources across Texas through boundaries and markups, and then publish and print a summary of their findings.

Individualized map reports created in TxMAP can be used for policymakers, conservation organizations, state and federal agencies, and private landowners and managers giving a comprehensive review of desired geospatial information.

Our vision is that TxMAP becomes the solution for many relationships happening every day as we continue to increase public knowledge about trends occurring across the landscape.

Our aim is to better inform and shape the future of our state’s most valuable resource—land.

A partial look at water and energy resource layers in TxMAP.

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LAND STEWARDSHIP LESSON HIGHLIGHT We're building a community of practice around land stewardship for outdoor enthusiasts and private landowners alike with interactive publications developed from materials created during in-person training and presentations. These private land stewardship publications are meant for everyone, from the classroom to the field. They meet the learner where and how they want to explore the information.

Since the launch of these interactive publications, we've seen our communities band together to recreate education so that it can be available in new ways. These virtual publications came about as a charge to take existing materials from previous presentations, from flash drives, or publications collecting dust on shelves, and shake them up so that anyone on the other side of a screen anywhere in the world could access them.

You can find and share these on your own time. Click, open, explore, shuffle through the content and save up the information. You can quiz your knowledge gained at the end; a great component for classrooms and youth learning environments especially.

Wildlife Management as Agriculture Use for Property Tax Valuation in Texas This private land stewardship lesson outlines the purpose and process of managing wildlife as an agricultural resource. You will find knowledge checks throughout the lesson as you learn about: the history and importance of open space lands qualifications and application process for switching wildlife management practices you can consider habitat, erosion, predator control and census practices Go to source

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HERE CONSERVATION AN PPLIED RESEARCH MEET.

Stretching from every corner of the country, we seek discovery through data curation and field observations to produce sound science.

We thank you for supporting our commitment to solving natural resource issues and engaging policymakers, land managers and citizens throughout this process.

TAMU-NRI.MEDIUM.COM/

Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute College Station, San Antonio, Dallas and Washington D.C. nri.tamu.edu @tamu_nri