Texas A&M Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management

09/11/2026

Did you know that Texas is home to 130-135 aquaculture producers across the state, with roughly 6,200 acres in production and annual farm-gate sales exceeding $120 million? RWFM's Dr. Todd Sink provides an update on the current industry status as producers contend with summer heat.
National Aquaculture Association | Texas Aquaculture Association

Texas aquaculture remains steady despite seasonal challenges of drought and excessive heat faced by many producers, said an AgriLife Extension expert. Read more at: tx.ag/CW090926

Texas A&M Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management | AquaExtension

09/10/2026

Take the next step in your career by exploring the opportunities at jobs.rwfm.tamu.edu.

Thank you to our job board sponsor, Center for Leadership in Global Sustainability (CLiGS) at Virginia Tech. CLiGS advances the natural resources profession by equipping current and future leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to address complex environmental challenges. Through the innovative Master of Natural Resources degree, CLiGS connects working professionals to interdisciplinary learning in conservation, sustainability, and resource management.

Don't miss the opportunity to meet with a representative from CLiGS at the AGLS Career Fair on Sept. 29!

09/09/2026

When you think about "student-centered" faculty, you think about Dr. Melissa Shehane. Shehane, Ph.D., RWFM instructional assistant professor, was recognized by The Association of Former Students with its 2026 College-Level Teaching Award for building a program that supports students from their first semester through graduation. She redesigned the department’s internship course around National Association of Colleges and Employers career readiness competencies, helping nearly 200 students complete internships with partners such as Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute.

Since joining the department full time in 2022, she has taught more than 1,000 students with an average student evaluation score of 4.7 out of 5, and she wrote “Blaze a Trail in Aggieland,” a guidebook that supports first-generation and transfer students in her introductory course. She also serves as co-principal investigator on a $1.5 million U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA, National Institute of Food and Agriculture grant that trains graduate fellows for careers in rangeland conservation.

09/02/2026

See you later, alligator! 🐊 RWFM students and Texas Parks and Wildlife interns Will Prochaska and Autumn Webb helped provide the Houston Chronicle with a front-row seat to alligator conservation taking place in East Texas. Check it out! 👇

Her father studied alligators as a graduate student researcher. More than two decades later, she caught his alligators.

09/01/2026

The Grazingland Animal Nutrition Lab (GAN Lab) has a new home, a new name, and expanded offerings to better serve producers and advance rangeland health! Moving forward, the lab will operate as the Ranch Diagnostics Lab (Ranch Lab), housed in the Texas A&M Center for Grazinglands and Ranch Management. Learn more at https://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/2026/08/26/texas-am-agrilife-lab-renamed-to-reflect-broader-ranch-wildlife-focus/

Texas Section SRM | Texas Grazing Land Coalition

A new name and a broader mission. After three decades guiding cattle nutrition decisions across Texas, The Grazingland Animal Nutrition Laboratory is now the Ranch Diagnostics Lab, expanding into grazing and wildlife-based production for ranches statewide.

Learn more at: tx.ag/RanchDiagnosticsLab

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service | Texas A&M Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management

08/31/2026

RWFM’s Ty Werdel, Ph.D., was recognized with the 2026 Rising Star in Wildlife Teaching Award from The Wildlife Society’s College and University Education Working Group.

The award recognizes an early-career faculty member who has demonstrated excellence in wildlife education through teaching, student advising, mentorship and educational leadership. The announcement highlights the hands-on learning opportunities Werdel has developed in RWFM’s Techniques of Wildlife Management course, his mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students, service as co-advisor of the TAMU Chapter of The Wildlife Society, and his previous service as director of The Wildlife Society’s Native Student Professional Development.

The Wildlife Society is an international nonprofit scientific and educational organization that serves and represents wildlife conservation and resource management professionals. The organization addresses national and international issues affecting the current and future status of wildlife in North America and throughout the world.

Texas A&M University - College of Agriculture and Life Sciences | Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society

08/28/2026

08/26/2026

Mark your calendar, Ags! The RWFM fall convocation will take place Sept. 9 from 10 a.m. to 1p.m. at the Shirley and Joe Swinbank'74 AgriLife Center. Join us for fellowship and lunch, as well as the Dyksterhuis Distinguished Lecture featuring Dr. Jason Sawyer, chief science officer for the East Foundation. Please RSVP at https://calendar.tamu.edu/agrilife/event/391035-department-of-rangeland-wildlife-and-fisheries

08/26/2026

Marcus Blum, Ph.D. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service wildlife specialist and RWFM assistant professor provides Texans with an overview of this year's fall hunting outlook. He also noted that hunters will play an even more important role in wildlife conservation as they take to the field this year by helping expand monitoring for signs of New World screwworm in wildlife. 👇

Based on available population surveys and precipitation trends across much of the state, hunters can anticipate an average-to-good fall hunting season across key game species, according to an AgriLife Extension expert.

Learn more at: tx.ag/CW082526

Texas A&M Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management

08/25/2026

What were we up to this summer? We're glad you asked! RWFM students were completing internships across the state, establishing professional connections, building technical skills and making memories. 😎