ARK Ecological Consulting

04/02/2026

It is very important for city governments and HOAs to understand why native plants are SO much better than invasive species, monoculture sod-grass lawns. Native plants improve the ecological health of the area, they conserve water, promote native pollinators (which support local crops), and they are a beautiful addition to any landscape! Go plant some natives and fight unjust anti-native rules and regulations!

03/05/2026

🔥 Heading to a Prescribed Burn! What do you want to learn?

I'm on my way to a prescribed burn out in Uvalde County! I'm planning to capture some cool footage of the fire in action, but I also want to hear from you.

What are your biggest questions about prescribed burning and fire ecology? Drop them in the comments, and I'll make some videos covering exactly what you want to know. Keep an eye out for those new burning videos coming very soon!

© 2026 Austin R. Kelly

03/04/2026

No Extra Federal ID Requirements for the Texas Outdoors 🎣🦌🚫🪪

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is proposing a change to rule 31 TAC §55.1 that would require a REAL ID just to buy a hunting or fishing license.

As a candidate for Texas Ag Commissioner, I believe the government should stay out of your business, not find new ways to track you. This proposal is a clear case of federal overreach and creates a "pay-to-play" hurdle for anyone who values their privacy. 🛑

Participation in hunting and fishing is already facing a long-term decline, and we should be removing barriers, not adding them. TPWD admits this will have "significant" fiscal impacts but hasn't even quantified the cost to you, the taxpayer. 💸

I need you to take action. The TPWD is taking public comments right now. Let them know that Texans value their privacy and won't stand for unquantified spending on federal surveillance tools.

How to Comment:
🌐Go to the link below.
🚫 Select "Disagree Completely."
📣 Tell them why individual freedom and fiscal responsibility matter!

Make your voice heard here: tx.ag/NoRealID

Let’s keep Texas wild and our citizens free.

03/04/2026

For my clients and friends throughout the High Plains/Rolling Plains ecoregions, check out this TPWD funding opportunity! And as always, if you would like assistance with the application, getting in touch with the right people, getting a plan for your property, and finding more funding opportunities like this - reach out to us and we would be happy to help!

Habitat funding opportunity for landowners in the High Plains and Rolling Plains! Open until March 27th!

LINK: https://tpwd.texas.gov/newsmedia/releases/?req=20260226a

03/04/2026

Sounds like a great opportunity to learn about invasive plants in the Mojave (which has a lot of overlap with invasives across the US!)

Back by popular request! We've added a second session of our FREE self-paced invasive plant virtual crash course. From March 16-20, get to know some of North America's most pervasive invasive plants and learn to distinguish them from some California natives. Sign up by March 15: https://secure.everyaction.com/BTd-dK34n0i35t-i2aIJpQ2

This course is a repeat of our February learning module for those who missed out. Registrants will receive four daily plant dossiers and discover resources to learn more about invasive and native plants in their region, then have a chance to test their knowledge at the end with a quiz.

02/26/2026

Desert Wetlands

It might look bone-dry right now, but a "wetland" doesn't actually have to be wet year-round to earn the title. Out here in the Arid West region, the Army Corps of Engineers defines these areas by specific inundation timelines—sometimes a spot only needs to be underwater for a few weeks out of the year to qualify. You can see the proof in the "missing" biology: the total lack of hardy perennial shrubs and grasses indicates that the soil stays saturated just long enough to drown out typical desert vegetation. It’s a great example of the hidden hydrology we look for while conducting environmental surveys out in west Texas.

© 2026 Austin R. Kelly

02/09/2026

💲Attention HS Seniors! Apply today for the TSGRA Scholarship! https://app.smarterselect.com/programs/101037

02/09/2026

It takes a lot of different skill sets to do environmental regulation work correctly.

Trekking across the desert for pipeline biological surveys is about more than just the views; it's about identifying critical biological indicators and potential threats that require mitigation. Whether documenting local plants and soils, delineating stream boundaries, or scouting for endangered species habitat, the goal is to ensure protected wetlands and environments are accurately accounted for. It’s a rewarding role that involves hiking for miles to ensure the science behind the regulation is solid.

Being a field ecologist, you'll be:

🌿 Identifying a vast diversity of plants
🧪 Evaluating complex soil compositions
🦅 Identifying protected & endangered wildlife
🐾 Understanding animal biology and habitats
💧 Delineating wetlands (even when they're dry)
🛰️ Utilizing GIS and specialized technology
🥾 Hiking all day in adverse field conditions

Leave a comment if you want to learn more about one of these topics!

© 2026 Austin R. Kelly

02/07/2026

I’ve been working out here in the Chihuahuan Desert for the last few weeks and I’d love to know what you want to see! 🌵

I'm thinking about making videos on:

🌿 West Texas plant ID tips
🦌 Wildlife habitat descriptions
🏜️ Desert/rangeland ecology
💧 "Wetlands" in the desert
🔎 What am I looking for out here?

Let me know what you think in the comments! 👇

02/06/2026

Goats used as targeted grazing is an excellent initial treatment for woody plant encroachment issues, especially in hard to access locations. However it is just an initial treatment, and needs careful follow up or you will lose any progress you make in the beginning. Either you need to have them come in again later to cut back regrowth (most shrubs in Texas are re-sprouters) or have another treatment plan in place (fire, IPT, herbicide, mechanical treatment) if you want to bring your landscape back to a more open, natural ecosystem.

Reach out if you have more questions about the economics or the ecology of goat grazing and we'd be more than happy to help you come up with a sustainable and effective grazing plan!

Hundreds of goats will descend upon White Rock Lake on Thursday for a large-scale, eco-friendly project to clear invasive vegetation. Link to story in the comments.

02/05/2026

Buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris: Poaceae)

Meet Buffelgrass, one of the most aggressive invasive species currently taking over Central, South, and West Texas. While it originally hails from Africa and serves as a decent forage grass for livestock, it’s a disaster for our native ecosystems.

In this video, we take a closer look at the difference between a young plant and a mature one in anthesis. Notice those distinct purple, basket-shaped spikelets covered in soft, bristly awns. While it's recently been moved into the Cenchrus genus (the same genus as those dreaded stickerburrs), these spikelets are actually soft and won't hitch a painful ride in your socks.

To really identify this in the field, look for the internodes (the stem segments), which are almost entirely hidden by overlapping leaf sheaths. If you try to pull it up, you'll feel just how tough it is; the plant grows from a knotty, rhizomatous base that allows it to anchor deeply and survive extreme drought.

Buffelgrass completely alters the hydrologic cycle and crowds out the native forbs and grasses that our wildlife depends on. Whether you're in downtown San Antonio or out on the open range, it's important to identify this invader and manage it before it takes over your land completely.

© 2026 Austin R. Kelly