20th South Texas Wildlife Conference
20th South Texas Wildlife Conference
Friday, August 28, 2026 | 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (lunch included)
Alexander Convention Center | 320 N 35 | Cotulla, Texas 78014
Early Registration $80 | Late Registration $100 (after 7/31) | Student Registration $40
Join the Texas Wildlife Association, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, & Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for the 20th South Texas Wildlife Conference taking place in Cotulla, Texas on Friday, August 28th, 2026. The year's event will focus on the intersection of wildlife and livestock management. Early bird pricing available through 7/31. $80 General Admission, $40 for students. Online registration will close 8/14.
Registration includes complimentary lunch along with access to a host of exhibitors throughout the day, as well as a ticketed entry to the Texas Big Game Awards Region 8 dinner and Banquet.
A room block is available at the Holiday Inn Express nearby the Alexander Convention Center. Those in need of rooms are invited to mention "South Texas Wildlife Conference" to secure the block rate.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear from university researchers, agency personnel, and wildlife managers about the latest developments in South Texas wildlife management. Sign up today!
Thank you to our sponsors!
South Texas Quail Coalition
www.southtexasquailcoalition.org
James E. Bashaw and Co.
www.jamesebashaw.com
Texas Farm Store
txfarmstore.com
AGENDA
8:00 - 9:00 a.m. Registration
9:00 - 9:10 a.m. Welcome & Introduction | David Hewitt, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute
Morning Moderator: Andrew Earl, Texas Wildlife Association
9:10 - 9:35 a.m. Protecting Texas Prickly Pear: Research and Management of the Invasive Cactus Moth | Dr. Larry Gilbert, University of Texas
9:35 - 10:00 a.m. The Impact of Pasture Mealybugs | Stephen Biles, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
10:00 - 11:00 a.m. New World Screwworm Updates & Protocols | Dr. Sandra Leyendecker, Texas Animal Health Commission and Kory Gann, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
11:00 - 11:15 a.m. Break
11:15 - 11:45 a.m. Virtual Fencing for NWS Risk Mitigation | Dr. Robert Wells, King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management
11:45 - 12:15 p.m. NWS: A Framework for Management Decisions & Action | Dr. Jason Sawyer, East Foundation
12:15 - 1:00 p.m. Lunch
Afternoon Moderator: David Veale, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
1:00 - 1:40 p.m. South Texas Lion Project Findings | Dr. Lisanne Petracca, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute
1:40 - 2:15 p.m. An Update on Mountain Lions in Texas | Dana Karelus, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
2:15 - 2:30 p.m. Break
2:30 - 3:00 p.m. Controlling Exotic Grasses in the South Texas Plains | Dr. Ashley Tanner, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute
3:00 - 3:30 p.m. From Research to Management: The Case of the Texas Tortoise | Dr. Jacqueline Tleimat, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
3:30 - 4:15 p.m. Habitat Management: Cows Can Be a Problem, But Also the Solution | Texas Grazing Lands Coalition
4:15 p.m. Closing Remarks | Eric Garza, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
The Conference will be followed by the Region 8 Texas Big Game Awards Banquet Conference attendees are encouraged to RSVP during conference registration if planning to attend.
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