Borderlands Research Institute

09/02/2026

A little glimpse into Shelby duPerier’s experience at the American Ornithological Society (AOS) conference in Amherst, Massachusetts (Aug. 3-7).

The big takeaway: science is about more than collecting and analyzing data. It’s also about sharing what we learn, exchanging ideas, and connecting with the people who make up our scientific community. Shelby is grateful for her experience at AOS, where she was able to share her owl research, learn from others working in bioacoustics, and meet so many wonderful scientists along the way.

We’d also like to give a special shout-out to AOS for supporting Shelby’s attendance at the conference and helping make this experience possible!

09/01/2026

Halli Lovell did an amazing job presenting at the WAFWA Biennial Pronghorn Conference!

The conference brought together pronghorn researchers and managers from across North America to discuss pronghorn population status, monitoring, and management. As a sponsor of the conference, BRI was excited to support this gathering of professionals working to better understand this iconic grassland species.

09/01/2026

Check out this upcoming workshop by one of our partners in West Texas!

Grassroots Carbon and the Dixon Water Foundation are teaming up for a day and a half on the land at Mimms Ranch .

08/31/2026

DYK - There are only six places left in the lower 48 with no sky glow on the horizon (or skies as dark as Big Bend).

Dark skies are more than a beautiful view. They support wildlife, drive tourism, and connect us to the natural world. Discover insights from Stephen Hummel's presentation at the 2026 Trans-Pecos Wildlife Conference on the importance of preserving darkness in an age of increasing light pollution.

Read more: https://bri.sulross.edu/tpwc26-dark-skies/

08/31/2026

We had a great time at the West Texas Students in Conservation Retreat at the beautiful Davis Mountains Preserve earlier this month! BRI led an interpretive hike activity where students practiced sharing about natural resource management with their peers. Afterward, we reflected on their presentations and discussed ways to make science communication more accessible and meaningful for the public.

It was a great opportunity to help the next generation of conservation professionals build the skills they’ll need to connect people with the landscapes and wildlife. A big thanks to The Nature Conservancy in Texas for all their hard work hosting this amazing retreat!

08/28/2026

Julia and Eliana visited Garden of the Gods Park near Colorado Springs this summer! The park’s rock formations began taking shape hundreds of millions of years ago, as layers of ocean deposits, sand dunes, and other sediments accumulated over time. These layers were eventually uplifted and tilted dramatically, creating the gravity-defying formations seen today.

They loved the park’s mission to provide free public education and recreation while protecting these geological wonders for generations to come.

08/27/2026

Strong partnerships create meaningful opportunities in the Central Flyway! 🦆

This summer, John Polster (Master's Student) is lending a hand at a Central Flyway preseason banding station, supporting efforts that contribute to waterfowl research and management. Opportunities like those with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Borderlands Research Institute are made possible through strong partnerships and provide invaluable experience in waterfowl research, monitoring, and conservation.

We're excited to support ongoing banding efforts and investing in the next generation of wildlife professionals.

08/26/2026

Plants aren't the only thing we keep in the lab; we also have lots of insects. Borderlands Undergraduate Mentorship Program students (BUMPs) often help graduate students with data input or collection. Anna is assisting Eliana Goodwin with her research on pollinators at the Fort Davis National Historic Site. BUMP students also prepare their own mini projects with their mentor to be presented at the Sul Ross Research Symposium at the end of the school year, as well as other events like Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society and Texas Section Society for Range Management.

08/25/2026

Did You Know?
Quail populations are directly influenced by precipitation during the wet season, which runs from June to September in the Trans-Pecos region of Texas. Rainfall influences the entire ecosystem through vegetation growth and insect reproduction. As quail prepare for the breeding season, they prioritize insects over vegetation to meet their protein and water needs. This is why rainfall is so important and why the health of quail populations should be studied during periods of drought.

Tell us...
During the summer months, have you seen quail visiting water sources more or less often? Why do you think that is? Come up with a hypothesis and share!

08/24/2026

What happens when a tiny parasite, a deadly deer disease, and a mysterious illness in aoudad all collide on the Texas landscape?

At the 2026 Trans-Pecos Wildlife Conference, TPWD wildlife veterinarian Dr. Sara Wyckoff shared the latest on New World screwworm, chronic wasting disease, rabbit hemorrhagic disease, M. Ovi, and other emerging wildlife health concerns affecting West Texas.

From groundbreaking research to the importance of early detection, this is a must-watch update for landowners, hunters, wildlife managers, and conservationists.

Read the story and watch the video: https://bri.sulross.edu/tpwc26-desease-update/