Texas Land Conservation Assistance Network

Working Lands for Wildlife is a Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) program that works with private landowners on projects to conserve declining species using a win-win approach that aims to improve farm and forest productivity while enhancing habitat for target species of conservation concern. Working in conjunction with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) the NRCS provides financial and technical assistance to landowners, while the FWS provides participants with assurances that they can keep their working lands working regardless a species’ status under the Endangered Species Act.

There are six Working Lands for Wildlife species projects in Texas: Savanna Grassland Project for Bobwhite Quail; Louisina Pinesnake; Colorado River Aquatic Species; Southwestern Willow Flycatcher; Lesser Prairie-Chicken; and Monarch Butterfly.

Also known as the Texas Wildlife Action plan (TWAP) or Texas Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy (TXCWCS).

The Texas Conservation Action Plan's purpose is to provide a statewide "roadmap" for research, restoration, management and recovery projects addressing Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and important habitats. "SGCN" include terrestrial, freshwater, and marine birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates (like insects and freshwater mussels), fishes, plants and plant communities. The goal of the Plan is ultimately to conserve and improve the status of these species and, as possible, prevent listings under the Endangered Species Act. The Conservation Action Plan has elements for anyone interested in conservation in Texas, not just Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).

Outline of the Texas Conservation Action Plan

• Overview Handbook
• Statewide/Multi-Region Handbook

Ecoregion Handbooks

• Central Great Plains (part of Rolling Plains)
• Chihuahuan Desert (Trans-Pecos) and Arizona-New Mexico Mountains (Guadalupe Mountains in Texas)
• Cross Timbers
• East Central Plains (Post Oak Savanna)
• Edwards Plateau
• Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes
• High Plains
• South Texas Plains
• Southwestern Tablelands (part of Rolling Plains)
• Texas Blackland Prairies
• West Gulf Coastal Plains (Pineywoods)

Also known as the Texas Wildlife Action plan (TWAP) or Texas Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy (TXCWCS)

The Texas Conservation Action Plan's purpose is to provide a statewide "roadmap" for research, restoration, management and recovery projects addressing Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and important habitats. "SGCN" include terrestrial, freshwater, and marine birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates (like insects and freshwater mussels), fishes, plants and plant communities. The goal of the Plan is ultimately to conserve and improve the status of these species and, as possible, prevent listings under the Endangered Species Act. The Conservation Action Plan has elements for anyone interested in conservation in Texas, not just Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).

Outline of the Texas Conservation Action Plan

• Overview Handbook
• Statewide/Multi-Region Handbook
• Ecoregion Handbooks
  • Central Great Plains (part of Rolling Plains)
  • Chihuahuan Desert (Trans-Pecos) and Arizona-New Mexico Mountains (Guadalupe Mountains in Texas)
  • Cross Timbers
  • East Central Plains (Post Oak Savanna)
  • Edwards Plateau
  • Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes
  • High Plains
  • South Texas Plains
  • Southwestern Tablelands (part of Rolling Plains)
  • Texas Blackland Prairies
  • West Gulf Coastal Plains (Pineywoods)

Wildlife Management Associations

Wildlife professionals believe that the greatest threats to wildlife in Texas are habitat loss from land development, conversion of habitats to monocultures, and the fragmentation of land tracts resulting from the breakup of larger ranches and farms. One of the most promising solutions to these problems comes through the efforts of landowners working together to conserve and enhance their land for the benefit of wildlife.

Wildlife Management Associations and Wildlife Co-ops are groups formed by landowners to improve wildlife habitats and associated wildlife populations.  Some landowners join WMAs for the benefits of operating under a wildlife management plan. Some join for enhanced recreation such as hunting, birdwatching or fishing, while others simply wish to improve the ecosystem in their local environment.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has created A Guide for Wildlife Management Associations and Co-ops that provides technical guidance to private landowners for setting up a WMA. Download the Guide

Species that become invasive succeed due to favorable environmental conditions and lack of natural predators, competitors and diseases that normally regulate their populations. This includes a wide variety of plants, insects and animals from exotic places. As invasive species spread and take over ecosystems, they decrease biodiversity by threatening the survival of native plants and animals. In Texas, invasive species of most concern right now are the Giant Salvinia, the Emerald Ash Boer, the Lionfish, and the Zebra Mussel

Resources First Foundation (LandCAN) created the Conservation Habitat Management Portal (CHMP) to engage private landowners in habitat management for species of conservation need. CHMP is a tool that empowers private landowners to take steps to not only help protect valuable habitat, but to also ensure the viability of their working and rural land for generations to come.

CHMP features links to groups, organizations, professional consultants and programs that can help landowners conserve Lesser Prairie Chicken habitat while maintaining their working land objectives.  CHMP also houses a comprenensive library of technical articles, best management practices, and on-line tools to educate landowners about Lesser Prairie Chicken habitat conservation. Take me there »