Aggie Conservation Corps
Practical conservation support for Texas landowners.
Hands-on training for the next generation of conservation professionals.
Supporting Texas Landowners
Improving Land Health and Reducing Risk
Training the Next Generation of Conservation Professionals
Building Stronger, More Resilient Communities
A Texas A&M–Led Conservation Workforce and Working Lands Partnership
The Aggie Conservation Corps (ACC) is a Texas A&M University–led initiative that supports Texas landowners while training the next generation of conservation professionals. The program pairs student field teams with landowners to deliver practical, low-cost conservation services that improve land health, reduce risk, and simplify stewardship documentation.
Across Texas, landowners face increasing challenges from drought, wildfire, invasive species, and extreme weather, along with growing requirements to document conservation practices for wildlife exemptions and incentive programs. Many lack access to affordable, hands-on technical support.
ACC addresses these needs through two integrated services on working lands:
- Land Health Monitoring and Documentation includes soil, water, vegetation, and wildlife assessments compiled into a clear, landowner-friendly dashboard aligned with NRCS and conservation program requirements.
- Restoration and Risk Reduction focuses on on-the-ground practices such as invasive species control, erosion reduction, reseeding, and other actions that improve resilience to drought and wildfire.
How the Program Works
Assess
Student teams document land, water, vegetation, and wildlife conditions.
Plan
Landowners receive clear findings and practical conservation options.
Act
Aggie Conservation Corps supports restoration and risk-reduction projects suited to the property.
Service Areas
Aggie Conservation Corps will launch with pilot projects in East Texas, the Gulf Coast, and the Edwards Plateau, with a scalable model adaptable to regional needs.
The program reduces the cost and complexity of conservation for landowners, strengthens community resilience, builds a skilled conservation workforce, and delivers public value through prevention-focused conservation.
Texas A&M is uniquely positioned to lead the corps through its land-grant mission, trusted producer relationships, statewide AgriLife and Extension network, and applied research expertise.
Program Benefits
Through hands-on conservation services and workforce development, the Aggie Conservation Corps helps create:
- Stronger rural communities.
- Healthier working lands.
- Lower-cost technical assistance.
- A skilled conservation workforce.