Environment & Natural Resources

Helping Texans safeguard the state’s natural environment and natural resources is a big part of our work at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Browse by topic below to learn more about what we are doing and how you can get involved.

Related Departments: Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, Ecology and Conservation Biology, Biological and Agricultural Engineering

Sam Houston National Forest

Native bees need love too!

Native pollinators as important as honeybees A Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert wants people to better understand and appreciate our native bee pollinators. “When people see a bee in their garden, many assume it is a honeybee when, odds are, it is actually a native bee,” said Molly Keck, AgriLife Extension integrated pest management…
Two large bumblebees hover over a purple flower. The flower is a ball shape of sharp looking petals in a shade of purple.

Texas Master Naturalist Program

The Texas Master Naturalist program works to develop volunteers to provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources.
Texas Master Naturalists members working in a wetland

Learn About
Environment & Natural Resources

Publications

Publication

This palm-sized flip deck features photographs and line drawings of 61 aquatic plants commonly found in Texas.

Publication

This publication describes and illustrates 140 grasses, forbs, shrubs, and trees of economic importance on Texas rangelands.

Publication

Citrus is an important crop in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, but reduced water supplies in the area mean irrigation must be used.

Programs

We offer numerous free and affordable programs on agriculture and natural resources, family and community health, economic health and youth development. We also offer many volunteer opportunities. Browse the list below.
Program

The goal of the Texas Well Owner Network project is to inform Texans about water quality through protecting their wells and surface waters.

Program

The Bennett Land Stewardship program funds conferences about land management in the Edwards Plateau, covering issues such as brush control, water management and estate planning.

Program

Pesticide applicator certification standards are set to ensure that restricted pesticides are available to those who protect food, forage, structures, health, water, rights-of-way, and landscapes.

Courses

Course

Learners will increase their understanding of drought management strategies. They will develop an increased understanding of risk management strategies, identify the best risk management tools, and recognize the importance of advanced preparation for when a drought occurs. You will need to view all of the course material and complete the post-module survey. Risk Management Products […]

Course

This course places an emphasis on fire behavior, how to employ the correct firing technique, and equipment & safety. After successful completion of this course, you will be eligible to schedule your official exam and field component to apply to become a Certified and Insured Prescribed Burn Manager (CIPBM) from TDA.

Course

An aerobic septic system, or aerobic treatment unit (ATU), uses oxygen to breakdown both dissolved and solid constituents into gases, cell mass, and non-degradable material contained in wastewater. This online course will teach you how to properly maintain and operate your ATU. You will have 30 days from the day you register to complete this program. If you do not complete the program within this limit, your registration will expire, and you will need to pay the registration fees again to start over.

Prescribed Burning Communication Kit

The Communications Kit provides resources to facilitate discussion and interactions within and between those who conduct prescribed burning and local communities. The contents of this kit are the direct result of a Joint Fire Science Program-funded research project—Fighting Wildfire with Prescribed Burning in the Southern Great Plains.

All Resources on Environment & Natural Resources

  • Publication

    This palm-sized flip deck features photographs and line drawings of 61 aquatic plants commonly found in Texas.

  • Course

    This course will inform participants about riparian and watershed processes, the benefits that healthy riparian areas provide, and the tools that prevent and/or resolve degradation and improve water quality.

  • Publication

    This publication describes and illustrates 140 grasses, forbs, shrubs, and trees of economic importance on Texas rangelands.

  • Course

    Learn to design and manage wind powered pumping systems for landscape and small landowner farming operations. This course provides 4 hours of continuing education units for Texas Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, and others who self-report.

  • Course

    Learn to design and manage solar powered pumping systems for landscape and small landowner farming operations. This course provides 4 hours of continuing education units for Texas Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, and others who self-report.

  • Course

    This course aims to help beef cattle producers protect Texas waterways from contamination that is linked with the production of livestock. These contaminations may also pose a health risk to Texas citizens.

  • Course

    This course will provide new landowners with education on wildlife, livestock, forages, and land stewardship to help them learn basic land management concepts as they begin to make decisions about their land.

  • Course

    The Generation Next curriculum targets new landowners, those who are inheriting land, or those who are looking to start a new agricultural operation on an existing ranch.

  • Course

    This course will help land owners and managers become familiar and confident to manage invasive and encroaching brush species with individual plant treatment (IPT) herbicide applications.

  • Course

    The center pivot is the agricultural and farm irrigation system of choice for many applications because of its low labor and maintenance requirements, convenience, flexibility, performance, and easy operation. This self-paced course will provide the learner with even more information about center pivots to improve their operations.

Have questions? We can help!

As part of our extension mission of Serving Every Texan, we aim to make contacting our experts easy. Find the best fit for your needs:

Localized Information & Resources

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