Conserving the natural resources of the Chihuahuan Desert Borderlands
through research, education, and outreach.
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Project Spotlight: Interactions Between Bighorn, Aoudad, and Mule Deer in Trans-Pecos, Texas |
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Shown left to right: desert bighorn sheep, aoudad, and desert mule deer. |
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Desert bighorn sheep and mule deer have experienced widespread declines in distribution and abundance in the Texas Trans-Pecos. While translocation efforts have been successful in reviving these species, the ongoing expansion of aoudad populations across the region have raised concern for native species survival. Similarities in physiology and native range suggests potential niche overlap (and potential competition) between aoudad, desert bighorn sheep, and mule deer may occur.
The project is a collaborative effort between Borderlands Research Institute and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to investigate these concerns. To do so, BRI and TPWD personnel captured 40 individuals of each species in the Van Horn Mountains of Texas, fitted them with GPS collars, and observed their habitat selection behavior for two years. By comparing habitat selection between bighorn, aoudad, and mule deer, we can evaluate what habitat features are preferred by each species, compare these preferences, and suggest the likelihood of inter-species competition.
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Student Spotlight: Daniel Wilcox |
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Daniel Wilcox has always had an innate curiosity about how the world works. He went to Tarleton State University for his undergraduate degree, and he enrolled as an animal science major. However, a lecture about the reproductive hormones and life cycle of sheep had him second-guessing his major.
“I remember thinking, ‘man, this isn’t for me,’” recalled Wilcox. “I switched majors to a general biology degree and wasn’t really sure what I was going to do with my life.”
A student speaker during a speech class changed the trajectory of his academic career. The speaker was a young man who spoke about techniques for aging white-tailed deer. Wilcox was entranced and introduced himself right after class. The young man invited Wilcox to join him that weekend for a working field trip to South Texas.
“It was an absolute blast,” said Wilcox. “There were helicopters flying around, biologists netting deer, and we helped gather information once they were captured. And I knew that was what I wanted to do.”
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Above: BRI graduate student Daniel Wilcox carries a recently expired aoudad back to his truck so that he can perform a necropsy to determine cause of death. |
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Big Bend Artists for Conservation
Inspiring Conservation Through Art
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Over the next few months we will be featuring Earl Nottingham and his work in our Big Bend Artists for Conservation series. Pictured above is one of his stunning photographs of the iconic Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend National Park. |
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There is a unique nexus between the art world and the world of conservation. That’s why the Borderlands Research Institute is proud to present the “Big Bend Artists for Conservation” initiative to highlight the link between artists and conservation in the Big Bend region of Texas. By sharing their stories and their magnificent creations, we hope to inspire those who are working to conserve the borderlands region of Texas.
This month we’re shining the spotlight on photographer Earl Nottingham.
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Borderlands Buzz: Earl Nottingham |
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For over 40 years, Earl Nottingham has been telling the story of Texas and much of the American Southwest through his photography. For 25 of those years, he was the chief photographer at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The Borderlands Research Institute is shining a spotlight on Nottingham’s work as a featured artist in BRI’s “Big Bend Artists for Conservation” initiative. Listen in on our latest podcast to hear more.
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Wild Focus: 25 Years of TPW Photography |
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Earl Nottingham spent a quarter-century as chief photographer for TPWD, a job he called the “best in Texas.” Over the course of his TPWD career, he photographed the lands, waters, wildlife and people of our state from every angle.
Nottingham retired from TPWD last year, and in a collaboration with Texas A&M University Press, the best of his work is showcased in a new book. He’s donating all proceeds from book sales to support our friends at Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation.
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Summit on Healthy Lands and Energy Development Rescheduled for April 6 |
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The Respect Big Bend coalition invites you to attend a Summit on Healthy Lands and Energy Development on April 6, 2022, at the Horseshoe Arena and Pavilion in Midland, TX. This event has been rescheduled from an initial date in January.
Participants will explore ideas for reducing the negative impacts of all forms of energy development on the land through collaborative, voluntary projects that engage private landowners, community leaders, and energy companies.
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West Texas Safari Club Donates to Scholarship Endowment at BRI |
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The West Texas Chapter of Safari Club International has made a $5,000 donation to support an endowed scholarship at the Borderlands Research Institute at Sul Ross State University. The endowment was set up by the West Texas chapter in 2014 and has been supporting students ever since.
This year’s scholarship recipients are graduate students Daniel Wilcox and Olivia Gray. Wilcox’s thesis project is investigating the impact of aoudad expansion into native bighorn and mule deer range. Gray is studying the dietary overlap of aoudad, desert bighorn sheep and mule deer in the Trans-Pecos.
“The West Texas Chapter of Safari Club International aims to keep a large portion of the funds we raise for local use,” said Brandon Bredemeyer, Board President of the West Texas Chapter of Safari Club International. “It makes sense for us to invest in the education of future conservation scientists whose research benefits projects where we live, work and enjoy the outdoors. We see it as an investment in our future that will benefit future generations of outdoor enthusiasts.”
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Above: Graduate students Olivia Gray and Daniel Wilcox, the two recipients of this year's endowed scholarship from West Texas Safari Club International. |
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Publishing the results of research projects in peer-reviewed publications is a goal of most research scientists. We’re proud to showcase these papers as they are published. Recently, an article written by BRI’s wintering grassland birds research team was published in the journal Avian Conservation and Ecology.
Pérez-Ordoñez, D. J., M. Titulaer, M. D. Correll, E. H. Strasser, F. Baeza-Tarin, R. L. Martin and L. A. Harveson. 2022. The role of temperature and microclimate in the survival of wintering grassland birds. Avian Conservation and Ecology 17 (1):1.
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Above: A BRI researcher in West Texas holds a grasshopper sparrow, one of the species we are studying due to its steep decline across North American grasslands. |
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P.O. Box C-21, SRSU, Alpine, Texas 79832
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