Volunteers needed to help with map project

The Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition’s (CDEC) Illustrated map of protected areas in the Northern Chihuahuan Desert was created for outdoor enthusiasts looking to savor the area’s unique combination of cultural resources, natural beauty and historical significance. This expertly researched map covers over 25,000 square miles of Chihuahuan Desert in southern New Mexico, West Texas and the northern region of Chihuahua and Coahuila, Mexico. The map’s many recreations points of interest will aid your exploration of National Parks, National Monuments, National Recreation Areas, National Forests, National Historic Sites, Texas State Parks and Wildlife Management Areas and other protected areas in Mexico accessible by hiking trails, motor vehicle and water craft. To help plan your visit, the map provides background information and images featuring thirty protected areas along with essential contact information.

Volunteers are needed to help with both distribution of the map to local bookstores and visitor centers and to market the map both locally and internationally.  Funds raised from membership and retail sales will support CDEC projects including the goal of raising enough funds to hire staff to help ensure the sustainability of the organization and increase its conservation education impact.

The Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition (CDEC) is helping people connect with and value the Chihuahuan Desert. Our mission is to inspire all people to take actions towards a sustainable future of the Chihuahuan Desert in hopes that we can create a future where all people understand, value, and protect the Chihuahuan Desert.

It is our hope that the new map will encourage people to explore the Northern Chihuahuan Desert and that as they explore they will learn to love it and be inspired to join others in helping to conserve and protect it. 

Most people who live in this part of the world know that they live in a desert, but very few understand how the region’s incredible biodiversity helps to maintain the overall health of our environment including air and water quality and all kinds of other ecosystem services like biological carbon sequestration, soil and vegetation regeneration, seed dispersal, and pollination of crops and natural vegetation.  These free services help to sustain aesthetically pleasing landscapes important to enhancing our sense of wellbeing and fighting off nature deficit disorder. Humanity could not survive without a healthy environment and we all need to do our part in helping conserve and protect global biodiversity with a focus on saving endangered species and their habitats.

Special thanks to CDEC co-founder and project coordinator Rick LoBello, map designer Daniel Wright, cartographer Cristopher DeYoe, the CDEC Board of Directors, our conservation education partners who work in protected areas in the region and Airport Printing in El Paso.  For more information visit us at chihuahuandesert.org.

Cover Image – Franklin Mountains State Park, Courtesy Texas Parks and Wildlife