Birders take flight through unique programs, partnerships and private land access

In a state where more than 90% of land is privately owned, large swaths managed for wildlife and agricultural production are off limits to the public. Birding with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service opens the ranch gates, giving birders of every skill level, from first timers to seasoned “lifers,” access to working landscapes and landowners who steward them.

“Our mission is to connect people to the land through the experience of birding,” said Emily Grant, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent in Gillespie County and Birding with AgriLife Extension program coordinator.

Over the last nine years, the program has done just that – building core relationships with private landowners, communities and organizations across Texas, reaching over 700 participants through in-person programming, logging more than 18,000 contact hours and drawing an international audience to its expert-led virtual and in-person offerings.

Connecting Texans with working landscapes

Grant said Birding with AgriLife Extension was born out of a recognition of the opportunity to highlight land stewardship activities taking place across agricultural landscapes.

“We wanted to connect people and showcase the conservation happening on private lands while also showing landowners ways to diversify their income streams with wildlife and ecotourism opportunities,” Grant said.

What began as a “crazy ‘birding by bus’ idea” evolved into the program’s signature event, Birding the Border, Grant said.

This three-day event takes place each spring across Val Verde and Kinney counties, giving birders unprecedented access to private ranches and natural areas through expert-led birding excursions.

“It does not matter if you are the most advanced birder there or you are an absolute beginner – you’re going to see and learn something new,” said Liz Tidwell, AgriLife Extension wildlife program specialist in the Texas A&M Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, Uvalde.

Tidwell and Grant hope participants leave the event with a broader view of who counts as a land steward.

“I think that sometimes there is a perception that a landscape has to be untouched to support thriving wildlife populations,” Grant said. “But by connecting participants with these working lands, we get to show that our agricultural producers are also great stewards of our natural resources.”

Virtual offerings expand program’s reach

Birding with AgriLife Extension also offers programming for those who want to expand their knowledge of the avian world from home.

The Virtual Birding Seminar Series connects participants with expert speakers from across the U.S. to explore topics ranging from wildlife photography and birding tips to the latest avian research. The 2024-2025 virtual seminars brought together individuals from 68 Texas counties and 12 different states.

All proceeds from these seminars go directly to AgriLife Extension’s Rio Diablo Birding Camp, an intensive five-day youth camp for birders and nature lovers ages 14-18.

“We want to make birding more accessible and get kids outside at a young age so they can build an appreciation of our natural world,” Tidwell said.

Young birders can also build community and connect with fellow birders across the U.S. through Young Birder Networking Nights, moderated by Grant and Bryan Calk, professional bird guide and co-founder of Rio Diablo Birding Camp.

“This is a new virtual space for young birders to connect, share and grow together,” Grant said.

The program also hosts a weekly Cup Chat, an informal discussion covering a range of bird-related topics held every Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. on the program’s Facebook page.

Expanding resources for birders and landowners alike

Grant and Tidwell have no shortage of ideas for expanding opportunities for birders and the private landowners who support their programs.

Currently, the team is working to replicate the Birding the Border program format along the Texas Gulf Coast and building a “Birding 101” curriculum to guide newcomers through their first steps.

“Our ultimate dream is a suite of tiered programming that supports landowner partnerships throughout the state to serve birders along their learning journey,” Tidwell said. “You can start as a beginner in your local area and grow through the different offerings and experiences.”

None of it works without the landowners who support the program, Grant said.

“We want everyone who engages with Birding with AgriLife Extension to find opportunity and value in what we offer.”