Austin R. Kelly

Austin R. Kelly is the founder and President of ARK Ecological Consulting. With a profound passion for the natural world, he established the company to provide expert botanical and environmental consulting services across the United States. His work focuses on critical areas such as plant and wildlife inventories, conservation of threatened and endangered species, invasive species control, and the implementation of sustainable land management practices. His approach is rooted in a deep understanding of ecological principles, ensuring that clients receive scientifically sound and practical solutions for their land management challenges. 

Austin's expertise is backed by a strong academic foundation from Texas A&M University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree, double-majoring in Rangeland Ecology & Management and Ecological Restoration, and triple-minoring in Soil & Crop Sciences, Plant Pathology & Microbiology, and Watershed Management. He is currently completing his doctoral studies in the Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology. His research delves into the complexities of plant ecology, investigating topics such as plant succession, ecohydrology, multispecies livestock grazing, and wildlife habitat management within savanna ecosystems. As a published scientist, his work has appeared in peer-reviewed journals, contributing valuable insights to the fields of ecology and land management.

As a field botanist and biologist, he has directed projects and also served as a consulting botanist in diverse landscapes across the nation, from the deserts of the Southwest, across the grasslands of the Great Plains, to the forests of the East Coast. This extensive, hands-on experience has equipped him with a versatile skill set and the ability to navigate the unique ecological challenges of any region. He is also a Research Associate with the S.M. Tracy Herbarium, conducting research on Texas plant biogeography and floristics, and has participated in international research in Brazil and China. Beyond his consulting work, he is also a dedicated educator and enjoys making educational videos on topics like plants, wildlife, and ecology. He taught numerous botany and ecology courses at Texas A&M University from 2017 to 2024. He also coached the nationally recognized Texas A&M Plant Identification Team and serves on the Board of Directors for the Texas Chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration. He is committed to fostering the next generation of environmental stewards through his involvement with various youth conservation programs. His passion lies in bridging the gap between scientific research and on-the-ground action, empowering individuals and organizations to become effective stewards of their natural resources. 

Selected Scientific Publications

• Long-Term Legacy of Juniper Encroachment: Increased Infiltration and Reduced Compaction a Decade After Mortality Published in Rangeland Ecology & Management (2025).

• Positive effects of leguminous shrub encroachment on multiple ecosystem functions of alpine meadows and steppes greatly depended on increasing soil nutrient Published in Catena (2024).

• Impacts of vegetation and topsoil removal on soil erosion, soil moisture, and infiltration Published in Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment (2023).