ART & SCIENCE OF PRIVATE LAND STEWARDSHI

“Anyone can take responsibility for a place,” writes Simon Roosevelt, great-great grandson of avid conservationist President Theodore Roosevelt, here in his foreword. “How persistently and well a conservationist pursues responsibility, connection, and the imperatives of use and care is as much a record of a conservation commitment as is the landowner’s mark on the land.” Private working lands account for 60 percent (more than one billion acres) of US land, providing food, fiber, purified air and water, wildlife habitat, and cultural and societal benefits. The stewards of these lands are crucial to managing our nation’s natural resources, though private landowners’ contributions to society are often invisible to the public.

As our population becomes increasingly disconnected from the outdoors, sharing the values and motivations of private landowners fosters a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the day-to-day challenges inherent in working the land. In The Art and Science of Private Land Stewardship, editors Roel R. Lopez, Jenny C. Sanders, James C. Cathey, and Abigail H. Huddleston present the history, philosophy, practices, and use of science-based information to provide knowledge and perspective to natural resource professionals; conservation advocates; and federal, state, and local decision-makers in their efforts to support the stewards of the working lands that sustain our country.

Annotated with interviews of private landowners, The Art and Science of Private Land Stewardship prepares agricultural and natural resource providers and agency practitioners for their invaluable work toward ensuring the resilience, health, and sustainability of our working lands.

ROEL R. LOPEZ is head of the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management and director of Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute (NRI). JENNY C. SANDERS is a project specialist at Texas A&M NRI and works as an independent consultant supporting private lands conservation, wildlife policy, and nonprofit program development throughout Texas. JAMES C. CATHEY is associate director of Texas A&M NRI and a professor in the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management. He has delivered resources on grassland restoration, northern bobwhite, feral hogs, Rio Grande wild turkey, and deer management. ABIGAIL H. HUDDLESTON is a project coordinator at Texas A&M NRI, where she provides strategic communication support.