Brush species provide food and cover for many native wildlife species, but in excess brush can also cause habitat problems. Brush species vary by ecoregion, but brush management is a common habitat management practice for many Texas landowners. As a result, Brush Management Certification Training for Landowners, land managers and brush control contractors will be held at the Meridian at the Meridian Civic Center located at 200 West River on April 12, at the Kerr Wildlife Management Area located at 2625 FM 1340 Hunt, Texas, on April 26, and in Johnson City at the AgriLife Extension office located at 101 East Cypress on April 27.
It is important that any landowner or contractor who plans to conduct brush management within Golden-Cheeked Warbler or Black-capped Vireo habitat as part of work involving Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is encouraged to take this training and become brush management certified. The training is not required, however, everyone is welcome to attend and become certified and learn more about habitat management.
Certification of completion of the brush management training will be provided by the Texas Department of Agriculture. In addition, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will offer “certification” that allows the holder to control cowbirds, which are nest predators. Cowbird trapping and control falls under Predator Control for the wildlife tax valuation.
The brush workshop will consist of classroom training in the morning and field training in the afternoon. The class will give attendants a working knowledge for proper brush management control and wildlife management, and touch on brush removal for increasing groundwater supplies. Participants should dress accordingly. Registration for each class is from 7:45 to 8:15 am. The workshops will conclude at approximately 4:15 pm.
To attend this training, individuals are encouraged to pre-register by contacting the county office in the location they wish to attend. The phone numbers are: Bosque County AgriLife Extension Office 254-435-2331, Kerr County AgriLife Extension office 830-257-6568 or Blanco County AgriLife Extension office 830-868-7167. A pre-registration fee of $35 will cover lunch, refreshments and a brush training manual. The dead line for pre-registration is 5 working days before each event. Registration after this deadline or at the door is $45.