About Rangeland and Wildlife Management
Department Overview
Our department is home to more than 400 students, led by 35+ faculty and staff with expertise in the biological sciences, social and human dimensions, and policy and Extension, to generate sound scientific research, facilitate meaningful science-based discussions and train students to the highest caliber. We continue to be a trusted resource to landowners, natural resource professionals, policymakers and other valued stakeholders, like you. Collectively, these efforts serve to realize the Land-grant mission as described through our three focus areas—teaching, research and Extension.
Howdy and Welcome!
I’m thrilled you’re here, and if this is your first time visiting the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management—no worries. We’re new here too and I’m honored to be your RWFM department head.
In 2020, Texas A&M AgriLife reimagined the ways that our two former departments of Ecosystem Science and Management and Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences could approach natural resource stewardship with our students. Through that process, we created a department with a mission to lead with teaching, research, engagement and policy. When we thought about the caliber of education we wanted to offer, our vision started with you—the next generation of field experts, lifelong learners and professionals who will work at the nexus of research and outreach in rangeland grazing, land stewardship, aquaculture and wildlife management.
I look forward to continuing to develop and lead interdisciplinary teams to address our broad range of natural resource challenges and to facilitating these collaborative connections for our students, translating their education to real-world application. I’m glad you’re here to not only be a part of this department but of a more inclusive and diverse future as we accelerate impact for natural resource conservation.
Roel Lopez, Ph.D.
Department Head
Mission
To prepare the next generation of natural resource stewards through teaching, research, engagement and policy.
Vision
The sound stewardship of natural resources for present and future generations through the realization of the University’s land-grant mission.
A look back…
Texas A&M AgriLife Sonora Station unveils historical marker
Marking a century of service to the Edwards Plateau region, a State of Texas historical marker unveiling and dedication ceremony was held Oct. 16 at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Sonora Station, an arm of the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in San Angelo.
Barbed wire collection preserves range history
The halls inside Texas A&M University’s Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management are being adorned with displays showcasing historical strands of barbed wire meant to connect resource stewardship’s past, present and future.