Urban Wildlife Program

As Texas becomes increasingly urban, the need for nature in our cities becomes more and more critical.

Over 86% of the Texas population live in urban areas, and the following six largest metropolitan areas combined total over 70% of the state's population:

  • Houston
  • San Antonio
  • Dallas-Fort Worth
  • Austin
  • El Paso
  • lower Rio Grande Valley

Public Assistance Offered by Urban Biologists

Urban biologists stationed in Texas's top six metropolitan areas offer professional guidance, recommendations, research and outreach in the following ways:

Technical Guidance

Urban biologists provide technical assistance to the public, corporations, private landowners, conservation organizations, and local governments regarding:

  • Natural resource management
  • Site assessment
  • Sensitive wildlife populations

Public Education

Urban biologists conduct educational programs to various groups including, builders & developers, conservation groups, schools, homeowner associations, city officials, etc. Program topics include but are not limited to:

  • General urban wildlife information
  • Planning for quality open space
  • Native Texas wildlife
  • Habitat restoration
  • Conflict management between people and wildlife
  • Native landscaping like the Wildscapes habitat restoration program
  • Texas Master Naturalist program
  • Bird City Texas certification program, recognizing and encouraging native bird conservation in partnership with Audubon Texas

Many Urban Wildlife offices offer loaner materials for educators. Contact your local Urban Wildlife Program office for additional topics, educational resources, and upcoming workshops in your area.

City and Regional Planning

Urban biologists offer assistance with:

  • Public policy
  • City and park master plans
  • Sustainable development planning
  • Water quality planning
  • Transportation planning
  • Habitat management for municipalities.

Data Collection and Research

Urban biologists conduct various projects involving the following areas of wildlife and resource conservation and management:

  • Biological and environmental surveys like the Texas Nature Trackers program
  • Investigative research
  • Scientific studies

Urban Wildlife Offices and Staff

Jessica Alderson
Urban Wildlife Technical Guidance Program Leader
jessica.alderson@tpwd.texas.gov
(210) 309-2416

Austin

Natasia Moore
natasia.moore@tpwd.texas.gov
(512) 409-0689

Dallas/Fort Worth

Rachel Richter
rachel.richter@tpwd.texas.gov
(972) 293-3841

Sam Kieschnick
sam.kieschnick@tpwd.texas.gov
(972) 293-3841

Houston

Addison Gaines
Addison.Gaines@tpwd.texas.gov
(281) 456-7029

Kelly Norrid
kelly.norrid@tpwd.texas.gov
(281) 456-7029

El Paso

Lois Balin
lois.balin@tpwd.texas.gov
(915) 774-9603

Lower Rio Grande Valley

Ernesto Garcia-Ortega
ernesto.garcia-ortega@tpwd.texas.gov
(956) 532-3009

San Antonio

Judit Green
judit.green@tpwd.texas.gov
(210) 688-6444

Joseph Plappert
joseph.plappert@tpwd.texas.gov
(210) 688-6444