Partnerships with Universities - FROM THE CEO
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NOVEMBER 2022
We promote the advancement
of land stewardship through
ranching, science, and education.
© Jonathan Vail
FROM THE CEO
Partnerships with Universities
NEA L W I L K I N S
“The difference between the Okay. Now that we have that out closely with East Foundation’s
right word and the almost of the way, let’s talk about some science team to address our research
right word is the difference special partnerships that we have priorities. They are all enrolled in
between lightning and a at East Foundation – those being Master’s or PhD programs and are
lightning bug.” our partnerships with universities. supervised by professors at Texas
Mark Twain We work closely with Texas A&M A&M or Texas A&M-Kingsville.
University-Kingsville through These students were recruited from
the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife universities across the country
At East Foundation, we talk a lot Research Institute (CKWRI) and – Auburn, University of Georgia,
about partnerships – so much so the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Princeton, Kansas State, Colorado
that we run the risk of forgetting Management (KRIRM). We also work State, Unity College (Maine), Georgia,
what a real partnership is, and with Texas A&M University through Texas Tech, and Ohio State.
what it isn’t. This is not unusual – the Department of Rangeland, These young scientists will soon
there are lots of groups that claim Wildlife and Fisheries Management join the other 36 scientists that
they have tight partnerships with (RWFM) and Texas A&M Natural have earned degrees while working
other organizations. Often, this Resources Institute (NRI) – these are on East Foundation ranches. These
simply means they sometimes work a lot of acronyms, but it is important alumni are now in the professional
together to reach a common interest that we keep them straight. work force throughout the nation
– let’s call this collaboration. Only through our partnerships with – they now work for state and
All partners collaborate, but not these universities can we fully meet federal agencies, universities,
all collaborators are partners. Real our mission. East Foundation’s consulting firms, foundations, and
partnerships are an agreement to science program relies on graduate private landowners. Through these
share resources and responsibilities. researchers to bring innovation university graduate programs, we
Partners also agree to work toward and creativity to our efforts toward are meeting parts of our mission
a specific common goal. Now, this solving problems involving ranch by training future professionals
doesn’t mean that partners cannot productivity, rangeland health, and and contributing to the science
disagree with one another – it’s just wildlife conservation. that drives conservation and land
that they agree on how they work Our current efforts include 10 management decisions.
together and on their commitment graduate researchers who work
to reaching an outcome.
Partnerships con’t.
As these young professionals move
Why does this matter? Well, while into their next stage in life, our
these students do their field goal is that their time as a graduate
research, they are exposed to the student with East Foundation will
real-world challenge of managing shape their career.
resources across a working
BOARD OF DIRECTORS landscape. Most other graduate
What makes this possible are the
Dick Evans
strong partnerships we have with
students don’t live on a ranch, like
Dan Kinsel CKWRI, NRI, KRIRM, and RWFM.
the San Antonio Viejo or El Sauz,
Tio Kleberg We have a shared goal for creating a
Bryan Wagner, Chair while they do their work. These do
strong group of future professionals
– and they witness first-hand the
who understand not only the
PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS day-to-day cadence of a working
science behind land management
cattle ranch.
David Hewitt, PhD. and conservation, but also have
Clay Hilton, DVM. The work they do is directly related an appreciation for ranching and
Tio Kleberg, Chair to the influence of grazing, fire, private land stewardship.
Roel Lopez, PhD. hunting, and drought – those
You can read about some of our
Rick Machen, PhD. things that determine rangeland
graduate students on our website
Clay Mathis, PhD. productivity and ranch profitability.
and you can check out some of their
Fred Bryant, PhD. (Emeritus)
Some are engaged in work that will
work here.
have an impact on policies that will
Lynn Drawe, PhD. (Emeritus)
be decided in Austin or Washington,
Lisa Flowers, PhD. (Emeritus)
D.C.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
Dick Evans
Harry Flavin
Phil Plant
PRESIDENT & CEO
Neal Wilkins
LOCATIONS
Hebbronville
310 East Galbraith Street © Wyman Meinzer
Hebbronville, Texas 78361
San Antonio Viejo Ranch
474 East Ranch Road
Hebbronville, Texas 78361
El Sauz Ranch
37216 Highway 186
Port Mansfield, Texas 78598
San Antonio
200 Concord Plaza Drive, Suite 410
San Antonio, Texas 78216 © Wyman Meinzer
(210) 447-0126
Students come from all over the nation to participate in our research projects. The work they do is directly
related to the influence of grazing, fire, hunting, and drought and the data they collect helps our team
determine how we manage our lands for the most effective rangeland productivity and ranch profitability.
EASTFOUNDATION.NET
2 NOVEMBER 2022
SCIENCE AT WORK
Deer Captures with Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute
LA ND ON S CH O F I E L D
Quality partnerships are a critical In an age of virtual classrooms and “Every year, this program provides
component in working towards online degrees, the deer capture training to dozens of college
the Foundation’s mission of project provides up-and-coming students, professional wildlife
promoting the advancement of wildlife professionals with critical biologists, and veterinarians. It
land stewardship through ranching, hands-on experiences needed to provides graduate students the
science, and education. Through acquire wildlife positions or thrive unique opportunity to use long
our collaborative approach to in graduate school. Students gain term ecological data to explore what
science, these partnerships take experience in animal handling environmental factors influence
the form of working relationships techniques, data collection, deer population performance, but
with universities, faculty members, collecting and storing of biological also gives them the opportunity
graduate and undergraduate samples, and other field methods. to manage a large field operation,
students, state and federal teach, and mentor undergraduates
agencies, and area landowners. from numerous universities. This
A major project led by the East partnership is training the future
Foundation in conjunction leaders in conservation, providing
with one such partner, Caesar invaluable continuing education
Kleberg Wildlife Research to professionals, and facilitates the
Institute (CKWRI), is known exchange of knowledge between the
as the ‘deer capture project.’ partners.
Since 2011, students, faculty,
agency professionals, and This program meets the needs
volunteers from around the
state and country have traveled for experiential learning for
to South Texas to assist with
our annual deer captures which East Foundation range and wildlife biologist, Landon
many universities and there
Schofield, instructs students on white-tailed deer handling
are conducted across East
Foundation ranches. Through
and release as part of East Foundation annual deer
captures.
really are no other programs
the decade-long project, nearly
1,800 students from more than 15
like it in the country.
These data also allow the East
universities have assisted in the Foundation and research partners We at CKWRI are incredibly proud
captures and data collection of over to answer important questions to be a part of such an impactful
3,700 deer. relevant to South Texas landowners partnership.”
including responses to Through our current and future
environmental variation, partnerships, we are providing the
assessment of stress levels, next generation of science-minded
quantifying population managers and management-
performance, and evaluation of minded scientists with a deeper
forage preferences. appreciation for land stewardship in
Through these partnerships, South Texas and beyond.
students learn from and
network with faculty, wildlife
professionals, and current
leaders in the field.
One such faculty partner is Dr.
Michael Cherry of CKWRI, who
Students from Texas Tech University learn how to measure
antlers of a captured white-tailed deer as part of East is a primary investigator on the
Foundation annual deer captures. ‘deer capture project’ and notes,
E A S T F O U N D AT I O N . N E T 3
Upcoming Events observed on the El Sauz Ranch.
Megan is now a Wildlife Biologist
with Texas Parks and Wildlife
stationed in San Saba County,
NOVEMBER 6-10
Texas.
The Wildlife Society Annual
In her own words:
Conference in Spokane,
Washington “The East Foundation provided
me with so many unique
Tyler Campbell won the Jim opportunities to gain knowledge
McDonough Award and Lindsay and experience throughout my
Martinez was awarded the time as a student at TAMUK.
Ronald F. Labisky Graduate These large South Texas
Fellowship in Wildlife Policy. MEGAN GRANGE R ranches provide a one-of-a-kind
opportunity to study a wide
Landon Schofield and Masi Mejia Megan was born in Denton, diversity of wildlife and habitat
participated in the “Parenthood Texas, and grew up moving to types. The East Foundation
in the Field: Challenges and new places around Texas and has always been dedicated to
Advice for Raising Your Own southern Louisiana. Her passion learning new things about this
Brood” panel. for the outdoors and animals environment and communicating
started at a young age and those findings to landowners
ultimately led her to pursue a so that this knowledge can be
NOVEMBER 19 career in the wildlife field. She applied to the real world. I was
graduated with a B.S. in Range extremely fortunate to have the
East Foundation Holiday
and Wildlife Management opportunity to participate in
Celebration in San Antonio,
in 2019 from Texas A&M numerous research projects on
Texas
University-Kingsville (TAMUK). these ranches and develop a wide
As an undergraduate, Megan range of skills that have helped
worked as a technician on me succeed in both my academic
DECEMBER 7 and professional careers in the
several research projects on East
Investment Committee Meeting Foundation ranches including wildlife field.”
in San Antonio, Texas work on ocelots, white-tailed
deer, and nilgai. This path led
her to pursue her M.S. degree in
JANUARY 15-17 Range and Wildlife Management
Board of Directors Meeting in from TAMUK and continue to
Hebbronville, Texas conduct research with the East
Foundation.
Megan graduated with her
M.S. degree in 2021. Her
thesis focused on population
demographics of nilgai in South
Texas. The project shed new light
on nilgai population growth in
this region by analyzing species
reproductive capabilities and
establishing age classes based on
tooth eruption and wear patterns
of female nilgai. The project also
evaluated and quantified habitat
characteristics where nilgai were
4 NOVEMBER 2022
FROM THE FIELD
Range Ecology Technicians and Wildlife Management Internship
A NDR EA M O N TA LVO
The East Foundation’s science For example, our Range Ecology
team hired eight technicians this Crew Lead, Csanyi Matusicky,
fall to assist with research projects is a botanist in training with
across the ranches. In September, the Louisiana Department of
we welcomed three range ecology Wildlife and Fisheries. Her
technicians and a wildlife intern employer graciously allowed
that work together on range her time to work with East as
sampling inside and outside of a remote learning experience,
the Coloraditas Grazing Research and the crew benefited greatly
and Demonstration Area (CGRDA), from her plant identification
a large-scale grazing study on the skills and ability to teach and
San Antonio Viejo Ranch. The forage inspire others to be passionate
standing crop data they collect about plants. The quail technicians, Cameron Bright, Aiden Tautges,
helps the East Foundation reassess Amanda Montemayor, and Catalina Berry (left to right)
In October we welcomed four dissect northern bobwhite heads for parasites with Andrea
annual cattle stocking rates in each
quail technicians to work on Montalvo (far right).
grazing treatment of the CGRDA.
the ongoing quail harvest We are proud of the opportunities
Additionally, the crew collectively
study taking place on Buena provided to young professionals
helps with all five deer captures
Vista, Santa Rosa, and Ranchito. in the range and wildlife field and
where they assist with safely
This study, led by Dr. Abraham look forward to seeing where their
transporting and releasing deer and
Woodard, is empirically testing careers take them!
measuring and collecting data on all
the 20% harvest recommendation
individuals.
of a pre-hunting season northern
This year’s crew are recent bobwhite population to maintain
graduates of three universities: sustainability into the reproductive
Texas A&M University , Louisiana season. Prior to hunting season,
State University, and Pennsylvania these technicians work to trap
State University. Their diversity in northern bobwhites on all three
education and skills have come ranches as well as control sites
together to provide a great learning on the San Antonio Viejo Ranch.
experience for the entire crew. They also participate in pre-
harvest population surveys
for bobwhites and will
eventually be present on all
research-focused quail hunts
to collect harvest data through
the end of the 2022-2023
hunting season. This year’s
crew are recent graduates of
four universities: Texas A&M
University-Kingsville, Texas
A&M International University,
Tarleton State University, and
the University of Wisconsin-
The range technicians and wildlife intern Csanyi Matusicky, Madison.
Rachel Patterson (wildlife intern), Kevin Lovasik, and Justin
Hoover (left to right) pose for a picture after a day in the
field.
E A S T F O U N D AT I O N . N E T 5
FROM THE RANCH
Ranch Management Internship
GA R RET T ST RI B L I N G
Hands-on experience is a vital part Rangeland Ecology, Wildlife activities that are vital to operations.
of professional development for Sciences, or are recent graduates We try to instill in them that a good
anyone entering the workforce, but and have come from universities manager needs to understand
sometimes securing that experience from across the country. every person’s job in the operation,
can be challenging. With the This internship is intentionally and to accomplish this, they will
fragmentation and loss of working comprehensive, as ranch perform every job. We will send
lands (farms, ranches, and forests) management is a complex business, them with the windmill crew to
across the country, it is becoming and we try to expose our interns repair windmills and solar wells, the
more difficult for young people to every aspect of it. We do require fencing crew to fix fence and repair
with an interest in production our interns to have basic cattle working pens, and with our tractor
agricultural to find opportunities working experience for safety and loader operators maintaining
to receive hands-on training. The reasons because we throw them roads and right-a-ways.
industry already is seeing a labor into daily operations from the Understanding operations is vital
shortage across all sectors and time they arrive. Depending on the for any individual wanting to pursue
if we do not place an emphasis season, our interns will assist with a career in ranching. But to be
on training and development of brandings, weanings, pregnancy successful, you need to be involved
individuals who have a passion checking, and shipping yearlings. in all aspects of the business and
for the business, we will only When not actively working cattle, understand how all the pieces
exacerbate the issue. our interns will work directly with fit together. Our goal at the East
myself, our Ranch Operations Foundation is to give our interns
Manager, and our Unit Foremen the experience and skills needed to
discussing a multitude of be future leaders in the ranching
topics including grazing industry.
systems, genetic selection,
disease surveillance,
brush management,
and supplementation
strategies, to name a few.
We also utilize a classroom
setting to dive deeper
© Emily Stribling into certain topics.
These include marketing
Students like Callie Jo Swaim, pictured here on the far left,
and risk management,
work along side our cattle crew in the field assisting with
brandings, weanings, and shipping, in addition to many applied nutrition,
other duties on the ranch. advanced genetic and
© Emily Stribling
reproductive technologies,
At the East Foundation, we have managerial accounting, and Students who are interested in the Ranch Management
developed a comprehensive ranch Internship can apply for the spring semester through
range management. Based
December 15, 2022. See details on our website.
management internship program on the intern cohort’s specific
with the goal of helping individuals background, we will tailor
who have a passion for ranching these activities to help expand their
take that next step in furthering knowledge base. These have proved
their career. We typically take beneficial and a welcome break
three interns a year, split between from the hustle of daily operations.
the spring and summer. These
Between cattle workings and these
individuals are usually pursuing
learning experiences, we keep our
a degree in Animal Science,
interns occupied, but there are other
6 NOVEMBER 2022
DY LA N D U R B I N
Dylan Durbin was born in
McAllen, Texas. He grew up in
the little town of Lasara, about
12 miles west of Raymondville,
Texas, on a family farm and small
cattle operation.
Before joining us at the East
Foundation, Dylan worked for
the Bar Z Ranch in Brady, Texas.
He has a background in wind
turbine construction and the gas
pipeline industry, and also spent
many years running his own
cattle alongside his father and
uncle.
As a Unit Foreman for the
Foundation, Dylan oversees cattle
health and manages grazing in
specific pastures in addition to
daily tasks like checking fence
lines, water troughs, and cattle
movement.
Over the last month and a half,
Dylan has enjoyed getting to
know all his coworkers, from
the office in San Antonio to the
personnel at the ranches. We are
glad to welcome him and help
him get settled into his new role
here at the Foundation.
Dylan lives on the San Antonio
Viejo Ranch with his wife and
children.
© Wyman Meinzer
E A S T F O U N D AT I O N . N E T 7
RAINFALL REPORT
A Land of Eternal Drought
TOD D S N E LG ROV E
Reflecting on major droughts
in the 1920s and 1930s, the
Texas state meteorologist
at the time; Isaac Klein,
reportedly said, “Texas is
a land of eternal drought,
interrupted occasionally by
biblical floods.” With that
thought in mind, one would
expect some form of drought
to be the norm for South Texas.
Over the past 12 months, we
have received what could be
characterized as “near normal”
rainfall across East Foundation
ranches. A summary of rainfall
compared to the norm is
below:
• San Antonio Viejo –
Headquarters: 78.4%
• San Antonio Viejo –
Casa Verde: 115%
• Buena Vista: 99.9%
• El Sauz: 93.3%
• Santa Rosa: 83.4%
• Ranchito: 82.4%
With several ranches receiving
15 to 20% less rainfall than
normal, one might question
that characterization.
In this case, timing was
everything. The last 12 months
were characterized by periods
of extremely dry conditions
marked by timely rain events
in May and June and again
in August, September, and
October.
This brings us to where we are today. According to the most recent U.S. Drought monitor our ranches are
Abnormally Dry – not a whole lot different than where we were last November. To me, that sounds just about normal
for “a land of eternal drought.”
For more information on drought and other weather events or to view information specific to your part of the state
please visit: https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu.
8 NOVEMBER 2022
EDUCATION INSIGHTS
part of our incredible team of
hardworking people. As a teacher
herself, she also appreciates how
Land Stewardship as Legacy
the East Foundation’s education
program works to connect Behind the Gates
students to the land.
In her free time, Cardona writes
October 2022
poems, makes zines (a small CLAUDIA CARDONA
circulation of self-published work
with texts and images), watches South Texan eighth graders spill
foreign films, illustrates, and out of the buses at the San Antonio
occasionally DJs around San Viejo (SAV) Ranch. It’s October 17th,
Antonio. She recently designed 2022, 9:31 AM. The students flock
C LAUD IA CA R D ON A and published her father’s poetry towards the Education Pavilion to
collection, Amapolasong, through figure out what station they are
Claudia Delfina Cardona is a Infrarrealista Review.
writer, artist, and educator going to first.
born and raised in San Antonio, It is day four of Behind the Gates, a
Texas. She comes from a family week-long event at the SAV Ranch.
of artists and writers. Claudia Behind the Gates is an opportunity
received her B.A. from St. for students from Brooks, Duval,
Mary’s University in English Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells,
Communication Arts and her MFA Kleberg, Starr, Webb, and Zapata
in Creative Writing from Texas counties to experience and learn
State University. Claudia is the about the nature, wildlife, and
author of What Remains, winner ranches of South Texas. As a new
of the 2020 Host Publications employee at East Foundation, I had
Chapbook Award. She is the heard a lot of talk from coworkers
co-founder of Infrarrealista about Behind the Gates, but I didn’t
Review, a literary organization know what to expect.
that publishes Texan writers and I tagged along with our finance
provides youth creative writing team including Nicolas Rangel,
workshops. Claudia’s poems can Margarita Deleon, and Carrie Gomez,
be found in Tinderbox, Apogee, to help out with Behind the Gates.
Cosmonauts Avenue, Juke Joint, We assisted Elisa Velador, the
Bodega Mag, Salt Hill Journal, Texas Wildlife Association and East
wildness, and more. In 2021, Foundation educator, by collecting
she was the inaugural fellow of waivers and handing out laminated
Macmillan’s Editorial Fellowship schedules to the teachers. As a
program. former public educator, I was elated
Before working at the East to be around teachers and students
Foundation, Claudia was an again. I approached two instructors
English teacher at McCollum from Veterans middle school,
High School in San Antonio. At handed them the day’s schedule,
the East Foundation, Claudia and led their group of students to
works as an Administrative Station 2, where the Foundation’s
Assistant. She assists with day- Dr. Andrea Montalvo asked the
to-day tasks, meetings, and students questions about the circle
events in the office. What she of life. A couple of proud students
loves most about working for shouted out, “predators and prey!”
the East Foundation is being a as they filled out their assignment
booklets.
E A S T F O U N D AT I O N . N E T 9
Legacy con’t. graders gaze in awe at these furs Branney describe a variety of cats,
Insect sounds punctuate Dr. and skulls of South Texas animals, with emphasis on the ocelot. They
Montalvo’s sentences while wind some familiar and some unfamiliar show off the skulls that are lined
blows through the canopy. Montalvo to them. Moments like this remind up on the table, ranging from
directs the students to a patch me of what I loved about teaching sabertooths to ocelots, jaguarundi,
of grass, where the students put high schoolers – to see their minds and house cats. Martinez holds up
themselves in a circle, shoulder in action. the skulls one by one while students
to shoulder. Underneath a bright, I wander to Station 1, where Molli take guesses about what type of cat
cloudless sky, Dr. Montalvo passes Foxley discusses the sizes of SAV’s it is.
out cards of plants and animals, pastures, while Dr. Montalvo holds At another station, a little further
while mesquite trees surround us. up a map of the ranch. Foxley off from the others, students from
She asks, “Are there any plants is a Unit Foreman for the East Veterans middle school line up in
around here?” while students hold Foundation, and works extensively two rows and run towards each
out their hands, eager for the navy with the cattle at the ranch. At her other. The instructor points to one
ball of yarn that Andrea is going to station, Foxley explains the size row representing deer and the
toss them. At the end of the activity, and type of cattle at the ranch in other row representing their limited
the students have created a web of terms of Chick-fil-A cows versus resources. The students filled with
blue yarn between them, signifying Whataburger cows, an apt and excitement as the deer group
their interconnectedness. Shortly accessible description that gets charges towards the resources,
after, Elisa Velador’s air horn signals the students to nod their heads in racing to see who will get there
students to rotate stations. understanding. As Dr. Montalvo first. Several of these students are
holds up the cow poster, Foxley wearing school shirts that say, Some
describes all the uses of a have a story…we have a LEGACY!
cow — cosmetics, deodorant, Their shirts remind me of what
paint, chewing gum, and of comes up over and over again in
course meat and leather. I these stations’ lessons: we all have
watched the students look at a responsibility to take care of the
each other with expressions lands of South Texas. We need
of intrigue when Foxley to make sure we do our part and
mentioned chewing gum. As steward the land. At every station
a land steward herself, Foxley I attended, it was clear that each
emphasizes how important it is instructor wanted students to take
to steward the land by picking away this message of stewardship
© Emily Stribling
up trash and conserving water. and I hope some of them do. I
Eric Garza, pictured here on the far left, shows off skins and She adds that cattle have the hope not only that the students are
skulls to students from counties surrounding San Antonio most important job, the coolest reminded of the land’s importance,
Viejo. We rely on partners, like Eric, to help us educate
hundreds of students during our Behind the Gates events. job – aside from teachers! – but everyone else in attendance
Foxley adds. too. I walked away from Behind
At Station 3, Eric Garza, Texas Parks On the opposite side of the caliche the Gates feeling indebted for
& Wildlife Department (TPWD) road, students in maroon polo shirts the lands of Texas and reminded
Biologist, displays various types of run to a patch of brush, looking for of how necessary it is to steward
animal skulls found in South Texas. a cattle GPS, part of their station’s these lands in any manner I can.
He holds the skins and skulls up one activity about new ranch technology. I am grateful for the opportunity
by one while students guess what When they find what they are to witness the East Foundation’s
type of animal it is. Garza holds up looking for, they are elated, jumping dedication to land stewardship in
the fur of a possum, or tlacuache, with excitement. Another airhorn action.
as the Valley students point out, sounds off and groups of students
and asks the students to guess line up at the pavilion for their
what this tlacuache eats. Students sandwiches and chips, as chatter
shout out their guesses, one of them abounds.
jokingly shouts, “chicle!” meaning
Back at Station 4, students from
gum in Spanish. There’s something
Zapata Middle School listen to
special about watching these eighth
Lindsey Martinez and Aiden
10 NOVEMBER 2022EDUCATION INSIGHTS Behind the Gates October 2022 at San Antonio Viejo PH OTOS BY E M I LY ST RIB LI NG E A S T F O U N D AT I O N . N E T 11
200 Concord Plaza Drive
Suite 410
San Antonio, Texas 78216
12 eastfoundation.net NOVEMBER 2022You can also read
