The San Antonio Livestock Exposition (SALE) has awarded $60,000 to the Borderlands Research Institute (BRI) at Sul Ross State University to support four graduate student scholarships for the 2026–27 academic year, continuing a 15-year partnership that is training the next generation of natural resource professionals.

“The San Antonio Livestock Exposition has been an incredible partner to Borderlands Research Institute, and their investment goes far beyond the classroom,” said Dr. Louis A. Harveson, the Dan Allen Hughes, Jr., Endowed Director of BRI. “These scholarships allow our graduate students to work directly with landowners across West Texas, solving real-world challenges and preparing them for careers in agriculture and natural resource management.”

With this latest pledge, SALE’s contributions to BRI total more than $750,000, supporting 46 graduate scholarships for 27 students over the years.

“It’s hard to overstate the impact these generous grants have on our students,” said Harveson. “Most of our SALE scholars have gone on to work in the private sector as consulting biologists or with state or federal conservation agencies, where they work directly with ag producers across Texas and beyond.”

Undergraduate and graduate students who participate in BRI research programs gain unique, hands-on experience working side-by-side with wildlife professionals and conservation partners. These opportunities include habitat restoration projects and applied wildlife research, including grassland birds, pronghorn, mule deer and other species.

Graduates of the program earn a master’s degree in Range and Wildlife Management from Sul Ross State University. Alumni gain employment with state and federal resource agencies, private consultants, ranching operations and educational institutions. Currently, BRI graduates influence wildlife management decisions on over 31 million acres across Texas, approximately 20% of the state’s acreage.