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, 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 the Lead Field Botanist, he has directed projects in diverse landscapes across the nation, from the deserts of the Southwest 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. Beyond his consulting work, he is a dedicated educator. He has taught numerous botany and ecology courses at Texas A&M University, 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.

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).