Texas Tech University

Natural Resources Management

Where Environmental Sustainability and Wildlife Management Converge

The Department of Natural Resources Management equips students to tackle environmental challenges and make informed decisions. With a focus on vital resources such as clean water, wildlife, and recreational amenities, our program emphasizes applying ecological principles to resource management. Our objective is to strike a balance between meeting present needs and ensuring the sustainability of resources for the future.

Our faculty guide students through a broad spectrum of research areas, encompassing wildlife biology, aquatic and fisheries biology, ranch management and conservation. Our department boasts many hands-on learning opportunities including Tech Quail, the Fire Ecology Center, the High Plains Grazing Lands Research Center, the Wildlife and Fisheries Management Institute, in addition to the student-led Wildlife Society.

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Natural Resources Management•

Resilience in the Rocks

Every aspiring and veteran wildlife biologist dreams of being part of a major conservation success story — and now you can see one in action!

In December 2024, TTU NRM undergraduates Jake Gowdy and Halli Lovell; NRM graduate students Chris Carter, Carsten Groos, Seth Hawke, and Angela Patrick; and NRM Research Associate Courtney Ramsey helped translocate 78 bighorn sheep from Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area to Franklin Mountains State Park. This was several years in the planning, and part of a large multi-organizational collaboration among the Texas Bighorn Society, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Tech, and others too. The Texas Bighorn Society captured this incredible effort in a new documentary, showcasing both the translocation and the critical construction of water guzzlers — a major win for bighorn restoration in Texas.

Watch the Documentary

Research Day 2025

We received 39 abstract submissions, with 12 undergraduate posters, 22 graduate posters and 5 timed thesis presentations.

Research Day 2025

New Publication Alert + Project Update!

Diego Aviles, Dr. Caitlyn Cooper-Norris, Dr. Aaron Norris, Dr. Whitney Crossland (Department of Animal and Food Science), and Dr. Krishna Jagadish (Department of Plant and Soil Science) just published their study on Herd Instinct Tags (HIT) — a new tech from RanchCheck© designed to boost migratory grazing with less input than traditional virtual fencing. Results from our 2023 work at the Mimms Unit of the Dixon Water Foundation showed tighter herd formations without added stress on the animals.
Phase 2 (NSF-SBIR funded) kicks off this summer at the Leo Unit — new terrain, new challenges. Stay tuned as we explore how HIT impacts rangeland health + animal performance in a real-world production setting.

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Building Prime: Davis College Retreat Tackles Tomorrow’s Challenges

by: Norman Martin

Hosted at the rugged 6,000-acre 3 Rivers Ranch west of Crowell, the Davis College leadership team brought together faculty and administrators to shape the college’s 2030 Strategic Plan.

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USGS Awards NRM’s Clint Boal with Top National Safety Honor

by: Norman Martin

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Griffis-Kyle, Lyford Complete Institute for Faculty Excellence Program

by: Norman Martin

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Academic Leaders Shine at Davis College 2025 Honors Banquet

by: Norman Martin

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