Weeks 37 & 38:
It’s been a busy February, with both TPWD Pastures for Upland Birds (PUB) projects as well as the USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife project moving forward in preparation for major management actions. The native seed blends for the PUB projects has been delivered (photo included), and the final application of Roundup is on the books to clear the way for planting the native grasses on our two sites at the farm. The Partners project is nearly ready for the prescribed burn, as we are just waiting on the ground to dry out enough to shred a fire break strip (disking the fire break would be ideal, but that site has historically been non-productive agriculturally due to its tendency to stay wet). In the interim, I have been working to provide notification of the plan to all relevant organizations and personnel. This event will be an initial step in restoring the area to native grassland habitat, as well as a demonstration of the prescribed burn process and protocols in the Blackland Prairie. These next stages for all three project areas should occur within the next month, so I look forward to reporting on our progress soon.
In mid-February, I attended the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society’s annual conference with Dr. Tomeček and the students of his lab. I was thrilled to be present for Dr. Tomeček’s acceptance of his new role as president of the chapter as well as the excellent research presentations given by two of his students. The conference experience also provided me an invaluable opportunity to meet other professionals and students in the field and learn about some of the current studies taking place within the state. Overall, I found the event to be informative, interesting, and productive to facilitating networking as I look forward to my next steps following the conclusion of my year here at the farm. Speaking with and listening to presenters and other attendees reinvigorated my own interest in research, and I am now looking into options for pursuing a master’s degree, with specific focus on human dimensions studies.
On another note, thanks to a fun raffle at the conference, I unexpectedly became the proud new owner of a Tomahawk box trap and two egret decoys. I have included pictures of my prizes upon collection, the latter of which I now share with Alex, Dr. Tomeček’s newest graduate student (photo credit to Amanda Hackney, raffle organizer extraordinaire). The egrets are currently inhabiting my yard as I attempt to coax any of the loquacious sandhill cranes foraging nearby to investigate, with a trail camera at the ready.
Until next time,
Dani Miller
Wildlife Biologist
Stiles Farm Foundation
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
