Serving Presidio, Jeff Davis and Brewster counties; The Tierra Grande Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists is hosting a small acreage land management workshop on Saturday, June 7th from 8:30 AM to 4PM at the Turner Range Animal Science Building on the Sul Ross State University campus. The workshop will address how the development of subdivisions fragments rural lands and threatens wildlife habitat. Fragmentation is a world- wide threat to wildlife. It crowds and impairs necessary living space, blocks travel corridors and disrupts access to feeding and water supplies.
If you own anywhere from one acre to two thousand acres you are a small acreage landowner. And if you are looking for the tools you need to manage your property to benefit wildlife this workshop promises some guidelines to help you achieve your goals. Topics included in the workshop are:
o Wildlife ethics – what we can do to counter act the loss of habitat for wildlife
o Habitat requirements- what they are and what resources are available to you to help improve habitat on your land
o How to work with nature to create healthy land and habitat at the same time
o Bats and their important role in the desert ecosystem
o Discussion of projects on the Miller Ranch of Valentine Texas and how they are working to enhance wildlife habitat on their ranch
The workshop will end with a trip to the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute to view examples of water features and native plant gardens that improve habitat for both humans and wildlife.
Texas Parks and Wildlife, The Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute, Borderlands Research Institute for Natural Resource Management at Sul Ross State University, The Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Sul Ross State University Wildlife Club are partnering together to bring this opportunity to The Big Bend Region.
The Cost of the workshop is $25.00 per person which covers snacks, lunch, refreshments, and materials. Registration is required. Contact the Borderlands Research Institute for Natural Resource Management at 432-837-8488 to sign up. For more information contact Steve Elfring at 432-364- 2673 or
selfring@bigbend.net .
