Environmental Stewardship

The Urban Wildlife Diversity Program's purpose is to influence natural resource conservation for the benefit of native Texas fish and wildlife. In this regard, we are very similar to many of our colleagues in the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Traditional wildlife biologists manage wildlife populations on public lands, technical guidance biologists help rural landowners manage habitat on private lands, fisheries biologists manage fisheries populations in public waters, and Resource Protection biologists address the needs of threatened and endangered species wherever they occur. The Urban Wildlife Diversity Program is unique, however, in the types of resources we attempt to influence (urban and developing), and the means by which we accomplish our objectives.

Our goal is to instill the desire to manage natural resources, and to get people involved in local conservation projects.

Fostering environmental stewardship entails instilling the desire to manage natural resources and involvement in local conservation projects.

Our primary means of influencing natural resource management in urban areas is through people. We try to reach the public in one of three general categories. First, we coordinate events which target young people, the next generation of conservationists. Second, we concentrate on homeowners and the general public who can influence habitat conservation on their own property and through the social groups in which they participate. And third, we address commercial and professional land managers, who manage public resources and participate in urban planning and development. Our approach varies depending upon the type of audience we're addressing, but the desired outcome is essentially the same. Our message is quite simple; in a word, "stewardship". Everyone has the ability to improve the environment. Our job is to show people how their actions currently affect wildlife and how, with minor modifications, they can improve wildlife habitat in their area. Our challenge is to demonstrate how people can accomplish their own objectives in a way that is also beneficial for wildlife habitat.

Involving young people at an early age helps to create a desire for environmental stewardship.

What makes people good land stewards? First and foremost, good stewardship requires an understanding of basic ecological principles. Many urban dwellers are out of touch with simple relationships in nature and factors which contribute to loss of wildlife habitat. Most people know (and care) more about destruction of the rainforests than about their own native ecosystems. So we give presentations that demonstrate ecological principles at a level people can relate to - their own backyards, public parks, and schoolyards. Outdoor experiences are a second important factor that influence land stewardship. Positive outdoor experiences "connect people with nature" and help instill an appreciation of natural resources. Hunting, fishing, camping, and wildlife watching are some of the traditional means by which people experience the outdoors. In addition to those traditional methods, the Urban Wildlife Diversity Program promotes visiting natural areas, gardening for wildlife, developing outdoor classrooms, and creating Wildscape Demonstration Sites on public lands.