Armored military training and endangered species restrictions at Fort Hood, Texas

Abstract

AbstractDepartment of Defense (DOD) land managers face a daunting challenge with respect to military land use and wildlife management. The challenge is espe‐cially problematic when endangered species are involved. Like other federal land stewards, DOD managers are morally and legally obligated to maintain natural ecosystem functions within their jurisdiction. However, unlike other federal land stewards, DOD managers must strike a balance between sustain‐ing a highly destructive use and sustaining natural landscapes unique to a ge‐ographic area. With careful research and planning, these seemingly contrary uses are manageable and compatible up to certain thresholds. In this article, I summarize how the Fort Hood Natural Resources Management Branch was able to successfully integrate endangered songbird management with high‐impact, mechanized armored training. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.