Colton Matthews
Utilizing geographic information technology, GIS, as well as historic and contemporary wildlife and grazing management research in the South Texas Plains, Colton Matthews will develop a restoration-focused management plan to maximize grazing and wildlife management potential at the La Copita Demonstration Ranch and Research Area.
“For the last decade, this property has been devoid of any active grazing or ranch management,” Matthews said. “In that time, a majority of the property has experienced rampant brush encroachment that has minimized the potential to utilize the property for wildlife and grazing-centric research.”
Matthews said restoration-focused brush management and property design are the focal points of his work that aim to benefit grazing and wildlife objectives.
“Using GIS, satelite, and spatial data, I’m able to assess land cover dynamics, how much brush is currently on the property, and locate areas of varying soil productivity,” Matthews said. “Existing research establishes the ideal amount of cover to support wildlife and grazing interests, so we can guide brush removal and land management based on that knowledge.”
The management prescriptions developed by Matthews will then be implemented throughout the property at La Copita benefitting the grazing and wildlife initiatives, as well as enabling more extension-based research to be conducted on the ranch.
With support from his degree, Matthews has begun to carve his professional path working with Republic Ranches LLC, a leading ranch brokerage serving Texas and neighboring states, as well as starting his own Land Consulting business known as Staterra Land LLC aimed at helping his clients develop their properties with rangeland and ecosystem health in mind.
