The U.S. Army has taken a leadership role for present and future generations in resource stewardship for the natural resources under its control. Texas' Fort Hood Military Reservation is a 340 square mile (217,337 acre; 87,953 hectare) army training base that is home to federally threatened and endangered species such as the Golden-cheeked Warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia) and the Black-capped Vireo (Vireo atricapillus). Despite its role as an active military base engaged in the mobilization, training, equip, and worldwide deployment of U.S. forces, Fort Hood also permits public activities such as cattle grazing and outdoor recreation activities, including hunting and fishing.

Fort Hood's military mission as a mobilization site for the preparation and deployment of active Army Units requires a large amount of land suitable for heavy maneuver training with varying characteristics. Erosion, threatened and endangered species, and archaeological sites are some of the most critical issues faced by Fort Hood. The multiple use property creates limitations on the use of training lands and requires that costly and timely environmental studies and remedial actions to prevent or reduce damage be completed. While the inconveniences are many, these processes ensure that the land's ecological health is maintained and that the land will be available to support quality mobilization and training exercises for decades to come.

Fort Hood maintains an active and productive relationship with the federal and state regulatory agencies responsible for the policies, regulations, and laws protecting the natural resources. These agencies include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resource Conservation Service, the Texas Soil and Water Conservation Board, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and the State Historic Preservation Officer. Fort Hood also works closely with the Nature Conservancy of Texas as well as Texas A&M University and other institutions of higher learning.

III Corps Fort Hood - Visit this site to learn more about the history of Fort Hood and the missions of the III Corps major units.

The Nature Conservancy of Texas Fort Hood Project has teamed with the NBII and HARC to evaluate the use of 3D multiple return Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) data, fused with high resolution multispectral imagery (QuickBird and/or IKONOS), in mapping the vertical habitat structure of shrubland communities utilized by the endangered black-capped vireo (Vireo atricapillus).

The Nature Conservancy and the Fort Hood Military Reservation acquired LIDAR data for a 10 sq mi study area within the base on April 28-29, 2002. The LIDAR data has a horizontal posting density of 5 ft, and an estimated vertical (Z) accuracy of 22 cm. The LIDAR sensor is capable of recording up to four returns, which will be used to describe the vertical structure of the shrubland habitats used by the black-capped vireo.

The base also ordered a high-resolution multispectral QuickBird image (2.4 m resolution multispectral, 0.64 m panchromatic) that was acquired during approximately the same time period and the multispectral imagery is still being processed.

CSWGCIN is processing the LIDAR imagery into products that can be used to build a predictive map and model of vireo habitat for the study area.

Presentation of preliminary project results given to the Regional Black-Capped Vireo Recovery Team on 11/12/2002

Use of LIDAR to determine vegetation vertical distribution in areas of potential black-capped vireo habitat at Fort Hood, Texas - The NBII's report detailing the use of LIDAR data to describe the structure of possible black-capped vireo habitat, prepared for The Nature of Conservancy of Texas Annual Report for 2002. Also available in PDF format.