by Rick LoBello
I really can’t help myself when it comes to writing or talking about almost any subject you can think about here in the Chihuahuan Desert. I am so in love with this special place largely because of my first 25 years working and living most of the time in the Big Bend Country when I started off as a park ranger in 1975.
Today I am motivated by my work at the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens, the teams I work with on the boards of the Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition and Texas Lobo Coalition and my long time friendships with people I lived and worked with in Big Bend National Park. They are all over in the country from Alaska and Montana east to North Carolina and places closer to El Paso like Tucson, Alpine, Marathon and Terlingua.
Not everyone agrees with everything I am doing especially in not giving up on helping to save the endangered Mexican wolf and even helping to keep the dream alive of a US Mexico international protected area. I have always felt strongly about this desert and the protected areas that have been established, so I don’t apologize for going against the current administration of Big Bend National Park for their efforts to close the Chisos Basin for two years or more to build a $22 million dollar restaurant. To understand what I am saying here you need to click the link above.
The world’s number one Chihuahuan Desert Education and Conservation Exhibit in an urban setting, is located at the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens. I am always happy to respond to comments and questions.
Here is my friend Jeff Selleck singing a song I wrote about Big Bend National Park. Unfortunately, it never made it to the top country song charts, but I am holding out for George Strait.
Don’t miss this year’s Fiesta – Share this on social media and by email with friends and beyond.
Thanks to our past Vice Chair of the Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition and Fiesta Chair, Dora Hernandez, the fiesta has moved to the Zoo and we have been able to reach more people and have more entertainment in the Wildlife Amphitheater. Over 20 education partners are coming this year and our new Fiesta Chair, Kristina Flores is doing an amazing job getting us ready for the event. You can learn more here.
There is still time to sign up to be a part of the fiesta at the Zoo. Contact Fiesta Chair Kristina Flores.
Returning to the Wildlife Amphitheater this year we have Compañia Cultural de Ballet Folklorico Performing Arts Group, Tocando – The El Paso Symphony Orchestra’s Tocando Music Project and new this year – Sun City Sound – El Paso’s Drumline
We are inspiring people to take action towards a sustainable future of the Chihuahuan Desert. Receive a free Regional Map of the Chihuahuan Desert when you join the Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition.