During the July 7 Victoria County Commissioners’ Court meeting, commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the University of North Texas (UNT) agreeing to grant the university access to conduct research in the county.

UNT is conducting sponsored research under the National Science Foundation project Dynamics of Integrated Socio-Environmental Systems (DISES) award. The program supports research projects that advance scientific understanding of joined socio-environmental systems and the interactions within and among the environmental and human components of such a system, according to the U.S. National Science Foundation.

Under the MOU, Victoria County will allow UNT to conduct research and gather data on public lands in the pursuit of research under the DISES program. UNT intends to measure the environmental benefits of public open spaces created by buyouts, talk with residents regarding how they value the spaces and talk with government employees on how they manage the spaces.

“The scope of this MOU covers the mutual interest to both County and UNT, and their associated missions, visions, strategies and business needs and requirements,” according to the MOU.

UNT will record a variety of data related to the buyout open spaces including ambient temperature. They will identify plants, pollinators and birds and record bird calls using recording units. The research includes the collection of soil cores for soil carbon storage assessment and researchers will observe residential use of the spaces.

“The implementation, management and control mechanisms for each activity listed will be done jointly unless otherwise specified herein or by a separate written agreement, but in each event in a manner to accomplish the purpose,” the MOU read.

Researchers with UNT will look to engage with community members in the public spaces. Residents should be aware of their presence in Victoria County and strive to support their research as best they can.

Michael Milliorn is a news reporter for the Victoria Advocate. He can be reached at michael.milliorn@vicad.com.