The dynamic nature of the landscape in texas requires considerable effort to map and track these changes in the vegetation communities and other land uses

The U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service (DOI FWS) Region 2 awarded $722,226 to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) under the Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education and Safety program (CFDA 15.611) for the period September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2027. The formula grant supports the maintenance and data management of the Texas Ecological Mapping Systems (TEMS) spatial database, which serves as a critical resource for habitat mapping across all native species in Texas. This funding enables TPWD to systematically track and document changes in vegetation communities and land uses across the dynamic Texas landscape, supporting informed wildlife management and conservation decision-making.

The grant directly supports TPWD's Landscape Ecology Program in sustaining the technical infrastructure and personnel necessary to continuously update and manage the TEMS database. By maintaining current ecological mapping data, TPWD enhances its capacity to monitor habitat conditions across diverse Texas ecosystems, from coastal marshes to desert regions, and to implement evidence-based conservation strategies for wildlife species of greatest conservation need. This foundational work supports the broader mission of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to conserve, manage, and enhance wild birds and mammals and their habitats throughout the state.

Texas parks and wildlife department through the landscape ecology program uses the texas ecological mapping systems spatial database data to support habitat mapping for all native species. This grant supports the maintenance of and data entered in this database.