West Texas Rangelands

🌟 Meet the Team: Intern Spotlight Series 🌟

We're excited to introduce Cooper Caswell, one of the summer interns helping support West Texas Rangelands!

Cooper is an Agricultural Science and Leadership student at Angelo State University with a minor in Natural Resource Management. Growing up on a family farm in West Texas sparked his passion for agriculture, stewardship, and working lands. Through his experiences in 4-H, FFA, livestock production, conservation projects, and leadership roles, Cooper has developed a strong appreciation for the connection between healthy land, productive agriculture, and thriving rural communities.

When asked what excites him most about this internship, Cooper shared:
"I'm excited to learn from professionals in the field and gain hands-on experience that will help me become a better steward of our natural resources. This opportunity allows me to connect my passion for agriculture and conservation with real-world applications that can make a difference for landowners and future generations."

This summer, Cooper will be working alongside the West Texas Rangelands team to learn more about prescribed fire, rangeland management, conservation practices, and Extension outreach while gaining experiences that support his goal of becoming a range conservationist.

💬 Help us welcome Cooper to the West Texas Rangelands family! Share your best advice with Cooper as he continues to learn and grow as a natural resource professional in the making! Drop him a note in the comments below.

Did we mention Dr. Treadwell took on FIVE interns this summer? Stay tuned as we continue with the intern spotlights!

Join us at the Great Plains Fire Summit 2026!

📆August 4th – 6th
📍Alva, Oklahoma

Catch up with the entire West Texas Rangelands Team in Alva, Oklahoma. Our team is helping with the conference, presenting at the conference, and networking with leaders in fire education and application.

Link in the comments to learn more and register!

Using Fire to Control Mesquite - Fuel, Timing, and Temperature

Mesquite is one of the toughest plants on Texas rangelands, but new research suggests prescribed fire may be an effective tool for reducing future mesquite infestations. While established mesquite plants often survive fire and resprout, young seedlings are much more vulnerable under the right burning conditions.

Learn what researchers discovered about fire timing, fuel loads, and the conditions needed to maximize mesquite seedling mortality, and what those findings mean for your brush management strategy.

📖 Read more: Link in Comments!

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