Texas rangeland, woodland, wetland, and aquatic ecosystems provide the citizens of Texas with a multitude of benefits. These benefits include income, water, recreation, wildlife habitat, and scenic beauty. The population of Texas grew over 15% from 2010 to 2020 to approximately 29 million. This population increase has impacted several key regions in the state, e.g., suburban areas and the Hill Country. However, this rapid population growth and environmental change threaten resilience and sustainability of these vital ecosystems. Educating ecosystem managers skilled in making decisions that promote sustainability and resilience is a primary goal of the faculty and staff of the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management (RWFM). The RWFM curriculum provides graduates with the necessary skills and integrates knowledge from several science disciplines. The synergy that arises from the integration of biological, physical, and social sciences in RWFM gives rise to novel real-­‐world solutions suitable for uncertainty and unprecedented change. The RWFM curriculum is not entrenched in any one discipline or any single ecosystem. It equips students with the breadth and depth of knowledge that is reflective of the diversity in the ecosystems in which we live and the issues we face.

Wildlife Management Track

Every year, more land transitions to wildlife management as its primary use. Wildlife conflict issues impact more of the world each day. The program track in Wildlife Management provides students the necessary background and experience to seek careers in the growing field of wildlife management, and to prepare them to lead in the wildlife profession through transformative teaching, diverse educational experiences, professional preparation with leading wildlife biologists, and hands-on skills learning. This program will prepare students to competitively engage in this profession upon graduation, or to pursue graduate education. Students will gain critical understanding of the basic sciences (e.g. chemistry, mathematics, biology) that will allow them to fully understand the management techniques and methods they will study in their advanced coursework. The Wildlife Management track student will have a strong foundation in the basics of wildlife management: population dynamics, anatomy and physiology, habitat management principles, and wildlife techniques. A summer field practicum will provide intense, hands-on experience to solidify these principles. Students will pursue advanced coursework in focal management areas, such as large mammal management, upland bird management, waterfowl/wetland management, or wildlife damage management, that can translate into lifelong careers. Upon graduation, students will qualify for The Wildlife Society’s Associate Wildlife Biologist® certification to provide competitive credentials in today’s job market. The graduate of the Wildlife Management track will be prepared to step into the modern wildlife management workforce with the requisite skills to be a leading member of the wildlife profession in technical skill, professional communication, and scientific acumen.