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Today, the Kerr Wildlife Management Area serves as a prime example of good range stewardship based on sound ecological principles. However, historical accounts reveal a vastly different scenario.
Donnie Frels, area manager for the Kerr WMA, will be one of the keynote speakers at our Fall Symposium.
His presentation documents the decisions, practices and tools responsible for the transformation of this property from native grassland savannah, to cedar brake, to a healthy ecosystem producing a diverse array of desirable products.
“The term ecosystems management is presently utilized throughout the conservation lexicon to represent a broad array of methodologies designed to produce a variety of desired products. Unfortunately, many biologists and range managers fail to fully understand the many variables, both natural and man-made, which influence this complex process through time.
“Although Leopold’s tools of wildlife management are widely accepted, the use (or misuse) of these tools can lead to poorly managed and inefficient systems producing undesirable products.
“Often times, a manager’s first response is to begin treating symptoms of the problem without identifying the actual cause. In order to fully realize the ecological potential of a site, managers must first understand the conditions and circumstances which led to its current state.”
Donnie Frels will be one of many speakers at Symposium 2012 at the YO Ranch Motel & Conference Center in Kerrville. Online registration has now been opened for the symposium which will be October 4-7. Overall theme for the symposium is the changing landscape of the Texas Hill Country. Also included are workshops, exhibits and field trips to areas of interest.
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**ARCHIVED POST AUTHOR: Bill Hopkins
