Natural Resources Management

Fossil Rim strives to have healthy animals; it is also our mission to responsibly manage our natural resources. We are constantly improving our awareness and ramping up our actions regarding natural resources management on Fossil Rim property. Specific areas of focus center on habitat quality (including water), biological diversity of native flora and fauna including assessment, restoration, research, cooperative training and educational opportunities.

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center Natural Resources Management (NRM)Objectives Include:

• Establish, implement and follow a decision making process regarding Fossil Rim’s utilization of land and natural resources.
• Ensure activities are consistent with the Vision, Mission and Core Business of Fossil Rim and are as environmentally conscious as possible.
• Assess, monitor and document natural resources (flora, fauna, soil, water, etc.)
• Provide resources and assistance and advisement and evaluation of projects and activities regarding impact on natural resources.
• Conserve, maintain and/or restore native systems in as natural a condition as possible. (Actions taken toward this objective MUST take into consideration the fact that certain parts of our core business will present conflicts with this objective to a degree. The captive propagation of non-endemic species and other activities will require determination of appropriate balance between this objective and the needs of the business.)
• Ensure compliance with all applicable and relevant agencies that regulate activities on Fossil Rim property.
• Support and encourage education and research regarding FRWC ecosystems.

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center has a dedicated Natural Resources Management Specialist, that along with a very energetic volunteer group, is undertaking a wide range of NRM projects that include:

• Surveying and establishing a database of all plant and animal species naturally occurring on Fossil Rim property. This is no small feat considering that Fossil Rim comprises ~1,700 acres of varied topography, soil types and ecological niches that make up this northern most portion of the Texas hill country. Another variable is that some areas have high animal concentration while others have little or no animal pressure.
• A three year cooperative research initiative that focuses on invasive plant species, in our case we are targeting Ashe juniper (locally known as cedar). This study will provide study opportunities on nine test plots that are roughly six acres each in size. Prior to juniper removal and pasture manipulation a census on flora and fauna will be taken and then compared to assessments taken post juniper removal and pasture restoration. This study is exciting in that it also contains components relating to the local community through educational opportunities, research and professional involvement and of course, land stewardship benefits.
• We are in the process of planning and implementing a hardwood tree replacement strategy in some areas around Fossil Rim.
• Other initiatives include recycling, minimizing human impact and planning for greener construction when we must re-build. It is our plan to allow as much natural space as possible and push our human activities to the edges thus allowing as much natural space as possible for mission driven activities.
• In November of 2008, we implemented a comprehensive NRM Plan that will be a living document and provide a guide for a better more sustainable natural future.
• Development of mechanisms that will allow the NRM Plan to work in conjunction with other Fossil Rim wildlife conservation efforts.