The Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute (NRI) supports private land stewardship, military land sustainability, and conservation of at-risk species by providing research and policy insights to land and wildlife managers. The Institute comprises experts and researchers strategically positioned across the nation to address the most critical natural resource challenges of today.
Our purpose is founded on the fundamental need to enrich Texas and the nation with comprehensive knowledge and services in agricultural and life sciences that connect people, agriculture, natural resources, and the economy. We are committed to serving public and private land managers through collaboration with our diverse network of partners, aiming to achieve science-based solutions that address complex natural resource challenges.
Our actions are guided by our strategic plan, which encompasses the overarching goals and priorities of the research, outreach, and policy-related programs led by the Institute and its partners. These programs are articulated by the people, funding, culture, and services of a Land-Grant University as a part of Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
Our capacity to respond to conservation challenges results from our:
- Team of researchers who have broad-ranging expertise,
- Ability to identify and fill information gaps necessary for scientifically sound and effective natural resource policies,
- Dedicated staff working at the intersection of research, management, policy, and outreach, and
- Strong partnerships and collaborations with universities, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders.
Federal Partnerships
We are also fortunate to serve in a leading role for two key nationwide programs, the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Network and the Renewable Resources Extension Act (RREA).
The CESU is a national consortium of various partners at the federal, state, and local levels working together to support informed public trust and resource stewardship. As one of the seventeen CESUs, the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (GC-CESU) is hosted by Texas A&M AgriLife Research through the Natural Resources Institute. We collaborate with our GC-CESU partners to facilitate research, education, and technical assistance that addresses the human and natural environment, both within Texas and beyond.
RREA designates federal funding for natural resource Extension programs to sustain and address emerging renewable resources in forests and rangelands. The United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) oversees these funds at the national level. It distributes them to land-grant institutions, with NRI serving as the host Institution for the state of Texas. We work closely with specialists within Texas A&M University’s Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management (RWFM) to address key conservation issues through education and outreach.
Through these partnerships, we lead with conservation because we see potential in people, places, and processes to take collective responsibility for stewardship. Together, we envision a future where the benefits of land stewardship and natural resource conservation are realized nationwide, ensuring the value of natural and working landscapes is protected.
To learn more about our work, explore our Research, a collection of our recently published peer-reviewed scientific publications, reports, and science-based resources developed to support the improvement of conservation, natural resource management, and private land stewardship.
With nearly 100 researchers, policymakers, and staff around the U.S., you can find us in 12 states supporting our local, state, and federal partners and our conservation mission. Hear about our work on our podcast, join our community who reads our newsletter, or find us creating conversations and sharing resources on social media. See you out there.
