Tarleton Wildlife and Natural Resources Department

09/02/2026

This summer, students in the Department of Wildlife and Natural Resources’ Zoo Animal Management and Care program took learning well beyond the classroom. Based at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas, this experiential learning course focused on herpetoculture and was taught alongside the zoo’s animal keepers, curators, and Zoo Director Dr. Pat Burchfield.

Students gained hands-on experience with reptile and amphibian husbandry and care, while also going behind the scenes to learn about animal management, zoo operations, and the day-to-day work involved in caring for a diverse animal collection.

And the classroom extended well beyond the zoo. Students practiced field techniques for finding and observing reptiles and amphibians in the wild and explored South Texas through visits to Sea Turtle, Inc., La Sal del Rey salt flat, and Sabal Palm Sanctuary. Few summer classes offer the chance to learn directly from zoo professionals, work with animals behind the scenes, explore how a zoo operates, and then head into the field to experience wildlife in one of the most biologically unique regions of Texas.

08/07/2026

Our partners at Oxford, working hard to help keep African wildlife populations connected across borders.

08/03/2026

Just over 2 weeks until these learning spaces go from quiet to full of curiosity, collaboration, and learning. 💜 We're ready for another great semester!

08/03/2026

When we protect lions, we protect far more than a species.

By supporting peaceful coexistence between people and wildlife, restoring healthy rangelands, and maintaining connected landscapes, we help preserve the ecosystems that sustain biodiversity and strengthen the livelihoods of local communities.



Photo credits: Gareth Bentley WWF

08/02/2026

07/20/2026

Check out this amazing collaboration between Tarleton‘s Department of Wildlife and Natural Resources and the University of Oxford.

https://www.facebook.com/share/186AEjpurK/

Welcome to the WildCRU Collaborative Conservation Training Programme!

Conservation succeeds when the people protecting wildlife have access to the knowledge, skills, and networks they need to make a difference.

Too often, conservation professionals working in biodiversity-rich regions have limited opportunities for specialised training in the technical, scientific, and leadership skills needed for effective wildlife conservation, whether in wildlife monitoring, ecological research, conservation planning, data analysis, community engagement, or project management.

The WildCRU Collaborative Conservation Training (CCT) Programme was established to help change that.

Through the generous support of the Notsew Orm Sands Foundation, the University of Oxford's Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU), together with the Tarleton State University Department of Wildlife and Natural Resources and partners across the Kavango-Zambezi (KAZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area, will work with conservation practitioners, government agencies, universities, NGOs, and local communities to design and deliver conservation training that responds to local priorities.

Rather than deciding what people should learn, we'll begin by listening. Through stakeholder consultations, collaborative workshops, and practical Oxford-badged training courses, we're building a programme that is locally driven, practical, and accessible.

This page will share updates from the field, stories from our partners, opportunities to get involved, and insights from the remarkable people working every day to conserve wildlife and support communities across southern Africa.

Welcome to our journey as we build conservation capacity one partnership, one course, and one leader at a time.

07/16/2026

🐍 Happy World Snake Day! 🐍

Today we're celebrating one of nature's most misunderstood animals. Snakes play a vital role in healthy ecosystems by helping control rodent populations, serving as prey for other wildlife, and maintaining ecological balance.

What's your favorite snake species found in Texas? 👇

06/22/2026

🐝🌼 Happy Pollinator Week!

Celebrate the bees, butterflies, and other pollinators that help our gardens, ecosystems, and food supply thrive!

06/04/2026

Students in our Hill Country Field Camp spent 10 days in the Texas Hill Country gaining hands-on experience in wildlife, land, and range management. 🌿🐾

Through immersive fieldwork, including data collection, site assessments, and applied problem-solving, students connected classroom concepts to real-world challenges while building essential professional skills for future careers.

From early morning field exercises to late-night discussions on management strategies, this experience reinforced the connection between science, decision-making, and on-the-ground application in natural resource professions. 🌾🦌🌎

05/07/2026

Tarleton State University attended a joint annual meeting of the Entomological Society of America-Southwestern Branch and the Society of Southwestern Entomologists in Amarillo, Texas! 🐛

These students had big successes in the team and individual competitions! We are proud of our students who gave an outstanding performance at the conference as research scholars, early career professionals, and as ambassadors to Tarleton State University! 💜

See images for more details!
*Photo Credits to Edmond Bonjour, Oklahoma State University Extension.