SRSU Natural Resources Management

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SRSU Natural Resources Management A "Hands-On" Education in Conserving and Managing our Natural Resources

The Range Animal Science center is located 1.5 miles east of the main campus on Highway 90.

This WIldlife Wednesday is all about an exotic species here in the Trans-pecos, Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus canadensis ne...
10/07/2026

This WIldlife Wednesday is all about an exotic species here in the Trans-pecos, Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni). The photograph below was taken by the Borderlands Research Institute 📸

Status 📈📉
-In the Trans-pecos elk are considered an exotic species, however there are many established herds across multiple mountain ranges such as the Guadalupe and Glass Mountains. - Some historic estimates say there were nearly 330 individuals in 1995 to upwards of 3,500 across the broader Trans-pecos region.

Engage🤲🏽
-Because elk are considered an exotic species in this region they have no bag limit, no closed season, and no state drawing required for tags.
-For safe viewing keep distance from this species. If an elk moves away or stares at you back off slowly.
- As with all wildlife, do not feed elk!

Facts 💬
- Rocky mountain elk, the species most commonly found in the Trans-pecos, has the largest antlers of all the subspecies.
-Elk may supplement their diet at licks where they take in minerals.
-A group of female elk and their young is called a harem.

The Borderlands Research Institute is hiring a technician to help out with wintering grassland bird and habitat surveys!...
10/07/2026

The Borderlands Research Institute is hiring a technician to help out with wintering grassland bird and habitat surveys! 🪹

There are a couple of requirements for this position so if you are interested go to this link:

https://sulross.peopleadmin.com/hr/postings/9734

Undergraduate researcher Tiffany Aguilar deployed acoustic recorders last week for a new project with frontera land alli...
10/02/2026

Undergraduate researcher Tiffany Aguilar deployed acoustic recorders last week for a new project with frontera land alliance near Fort Davis. Thanks to all the rain this summer, she had to punch through quite a bit of prickly brush, but the views (and the data) are worth it!

This Wildlife Wednesday features the black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus). We’ve included a photo from the B...
09/30/2026

This Wildlife Wednesday features the black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus). We’ve included a photo from the Borderlands Research Institute website. 📸

Status 📉📈
-This species has been extirpated in much of the Trans-pecos, though there are sparse native colonies.

Engage 🤲🏽
-Although black-tailed prairie dogs are considered by some to be pests, research by SRSU indicates they help prevent brush encroachment.
-If you are viewing black-tailed prarie dogs, keep your distance and do not feed them. They have powerful bites and can carry fleas that carry diseases.

Facts 💬
-This species belongs to the squirrel family.
-Black-tailed prairie dogs build extensive, undergound colonies called prairie dog towns. These colonies feature volcano-shaped mound entrances that prevent flooding and act as lookout perches.
-Black-tailed prairie dogs possess a complex vocal language, featuring distinct alarms for various approaching predators.
-Black-tailed prarie dogs also act as a keystone species by keeping vegetation low enough for other grassland wildlife. Their abandoned burrows also provide shelter for other species such as burrowing owls.

Our hearts are broken for our rodeo family. If you are attending tonight, please wear purple in honor of Alejandra. 💜
09/25/2026

Our hearts are broken for our rodeo family. If you are attending tonight, please wear purple in honor of Alejandra. 💜

Feature Friday! This past weekend some Club members, BRI staff and Grad students helped a local landowner clear out vege...
09/25/2026

Feature Friday!

This past weekend some Club members, BRI staff and Grad students helped a local landowner clear out vegetation (cattails, mesquite, & Russian thistle) that were overtaking the wetland at the Sandia Wetlands Project. They gained valuable hands on lessons on veg clearing, proper use of machetes and networked with others that joined in on the effort! Great work Lobos!

We’re on a bit of a bird kick… so this Wildlife Wednesday is all about the Barn swallow (Hirundo rustica). This photo wa...
09/23/2026

We’re on a bit of a bird kick… so this Wildlife Wednesday is all about the Barn swallow (Hirundo rustica). This photo was taken by Dr. Frank outside our very own RAS building! 📸

Status 📈📉
-The barn swallow is globally ranked as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, however, regional monitoring of their numbers have shown general decline tied to use of pesticides and various agricultural practices.
-While their numbers are abundant, populations of this species in the Trans-Pecos are more localized based on availibility of water and human structures.
-This species is also protected under the Migratory Birds Act and Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Engage 🤲🏽
-Be mindful not to use harmful pesticides as they can affect not only barn swallows but also other local wildlife.
-While barn swallows are neat to watch, you might not want them to nest on your house! Covering corners with screening can discourage them from nesting.

Facts 💬
- Barn swallows are insectivores, catching flies, bettles, and wasps in flight.
-One individual can consume 850 insects a day making them a natural form of pest control!
- By two weeks of age hatchlings are largely able to function on their own.
-Toward the end of summer groups of barn swallows and their young will gather in enormous flocks and begin flying to their winter home, a journey that is spread across months.

PhD student Ty Goodwin’s Wildland Plants Sul Ross State University took a hike up Hancock Hill to learn about the plant ...
09/18/2026

PhD student Ty Goodwin’s Wildland Plants Sul Ross State University took a hike up Hancock Hill to learn about the plant species covered in this weeks lecture! Identifying plants can be hard but is the perfect hands-on opportunity for our students!

🥾🪾🌾🌵

Address

90560 East US Highway 90
Alpine, TX
79832

Telephone

+14328378488

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