Conserving the natural resources of the Chihuahuan Desert Borderlands
through research, education, and outreach.
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Seminar Series Explores Common Ground for Landowners and Energy Development on Oct. 8 |
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Residents of West Texas are invited to attend a free webinar on Oct. 8 from 6:30-8:00 pm. “Landowners, Energy Development, and Conflict: Finding Common Ground” will explore how landowners and energy companies can work together to find solutions when conflicts occur.
David Yeates of the Texas Wildlife Association will speak about the statewide landowner and wildlife perspective, acknowledging continuing issues with energy development, but also recognizing that many partnerships have resulted in positive outcomes for landowners, habitat, and wildlife. Chris West of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation will describe conservation opportunities for landowners that can result from working with energy partners, and Dr. Chase Currie of the San Pedro Ranch will explain how appropriate measures can result in enhanced habitat features in spite of development.
“The Oct. 8 webinar will build on the discussions we’ve been featuring as part of this ongoing seminar series,” said Billy Tarrant, who is Associate Director of Stewardship Services for the Borderlands Research Institute. “We’re pleased to bring these experts to the table to add their perspective to the important issue of energy development in the greater Big Bend region.”
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Borderlands Birding Bonanza
Launches in West Texas!
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The Borderlands Research Institute (BRI) at Sul Ross State University is launching a new series of outreach activities to connect people with birds through its Bird Conservation Program. The “Borderlands Birding Bonanza” will kick off Oct. 24-25 with a birding field trip to Alamito Creek Preserve, a Dixon Water Foundation property in Presidio County, south of Marfa. There are 40 slots available for a series of birding tours that will focus on riparian birds.
“We are so excited about providing these opportunities to connect people with birds,” said Dr. Louis Harveson, who is the Dan Allen Hughes, Jr., BRI Endowed Director and Regents’ Professor of Wildlife Management at Sul Ross State University. “Birding is an activity that anyone can participate in, from children to seniors, and novices to expert birders. We are extremely grateful to the Dixon Water Foundation and the Shield-Ayres Foundation for making these outreach events possible.”
The field trips will be organized into four groups of ten people and COVID protocols will be observed to ensure the safety of those participating. The tours will be led by experienced birders from the Borderlands Research Institute and partner organizations. The tours on Oct. 24-25 will be capped at 40 people, and organizers anticipate it will fill quickly. Registration is required, and those interested in participating should register online. The field trip is designed to be accessible to all birding levels, from beginners to experts.
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Scholarship Honors Family Legacy |
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A new scholarship has been created at the Borderlands Research Institute by the family of Franklin and Virginia Law to honor their lives and celebrate the family’s long ranching history in Brewster County.
Franklin and Virginia Law spent a lifetime together stewarding the West Texas ranch that had been in the family for generations. Besides loving the land, Franklin and Virginia greatly valued education. As college graduates, they understood the beneficial impact education could have, not only for their own children and grandchildren, but for future generations. They put their daughters and grandchildren through college, and now their daughters want to pay it forward.
“It is a fitting tribute to Franklin and Virginia Law that their children have established a scholarship and endowment that will benefit students for years to come,” said Dr. Louis Harveson, who is the Dan Allen Hughes, Jr., BRI Endowed Director and Regents’ Professor of Wildlife Management at Sul Ross State University. “By educating the next generation, we can help ensure that BRI will continue to meet its mission and provide landowners with the information they need to care for their land.”
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BRI Students Awarded $66,000 in Scholarships |
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Back row (left to right): Olivia Gray, Joshua Coward, Rachel Bittner;
front row (left to right): Kelley Wood, Leanna Morin; not pictured: Daniel Wilcox
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Six graduate students at the Borderlands Research Institute at Sul Ross State University have been selected to receive $66,000 in scholarships from four different sources including two endowed scholarships created by the family of Franklin and Virginia Law. Other scholarships awarded this year come from the San Antonio Livestock Exposition (S.A.L.E.), and the West Texas Chapter of Safari Club International. Six graduate students received a total of eight scholarships:
- S.A.L.E. Fellowship: Leanna Morin, Kelley Wood, Olivia Gray, and Daniel Wilcox
- Virginia Matthews Law Scholarship: Rachel Bittner, Kelley Wood
- Franklin and Virginia Law Scholarship: Daniel Wilcox
- West Texas Chapter Safari Club International Endowed Scholarship: Joshua Coward
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Student Spotlight: Kelley Wood |
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She didn’t realize it at the time, but Kelley Wood has been charting her career course since she was a little girl. She grew up on a farm outside of Victoria, Texas, and raised livestock through her school’s 4-H program. Her family also participated in a wildlife habitat evaluation project through the 4-H program.
“From a very young age, I started learning about the different wildlife species we could see at our farm,” said Kelley. “We learned that we could do different things on our place that might improve habitat for wildlife ranging from deer to songbirds.”
She knew she wanted a career involving wildlife, and it all came together for her at a Texas Wildlife Conservation Camp run by the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in Range and Wildlife Management at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. She also became the first student there to earn a certification in digital wildlife photography. One of her professors, Dr. April Torres-Conkey, became a mentor, who encouraged her to continue her educational journey. She was accepted as a graduate research assistant with the Borderlands Research Institute (BRI) at Sul Ross State University in 2019.
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BRI Launches New Podcast: Borderlands Buzz
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The Borderlands Research Institute has debuted a new podcast! “Borderlands Buzz” will feature the latest news and views from our faculty, staff, students and partners. Listen in on our first edition, featuring BRI Director Dr. Louis Harveson.
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P.O. Box C-21, SRSU, Alpine, Texas 79832
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