Our Work

Kelley Wood, Louis A. Harveson, Patricia Moody Harveson, Stacey S. Dewald, and Billy Tarrant

With the rise in urbanization, it has become important to recognize the value of industries involving the outdoors. As part of the Respect Big Bend coalition, it is important to understand how hunting, agriculture, and tourism impact the landscape. To accomplish this, data will be compiled to make estimates of the impact of these industries across nine counties of the Trans-Pecos (and Val Verde County).

To understand the value of wildlife on the landscape, I will look at existing data from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for four major wildlife species: pronghorn (Antilocapra americana), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), and desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana). The impact of agriculture on the Trans-Pecos landscape will be estimated by examining data from the United States Department of Agriculture, using agriculture income statistics that are broken down based on livestock species and crop type. Tourism data from local economic councils will be examined to understand the impact of tourism on the landscape.

Results from compiling this data will allow the creation of a tangible product (consisting of maps and data) to be used by the Respect Big Bend coalition. Such maps can demonstrate the value of these industries to landowners and the public in the Trans-Pecos, and also to others across the state who may be interested in the economic potential of West Texas.

Funding source: Respect Big Bend Coalition.