When you become a member of the Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition, you directly contribute to strengthening activities and projects in the Chihuahuan Desert. Membership is only $1 and supports conservation and awareness initiatives that highlight the importance of the desert ecosystem, its unique biodiversity, and the communities that rely on it for their livelihoods and well-being. Above, pronghorn near Marfa, Texas.
by Rick LoBello
This week, I’ve been spending a lot of time working on plans for the Fourth Chihuahuan Desert Conference in El Paso and the third conference hosted by the El Paso Zoo. As I work on the details, I find myself reflecting on the journey that led me to help establish this conference back in 2010 with the support of the Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition, an organization that continues to play an important role today.
My inspiration came largely from my years at Big Bend National Park. First, as part of the park’s interpretive division, and later as Executive Director of the Big Bend Natural History Association, I had the privilege of helping educate visitors about and advocate for the protection of what many consider the finest example of the Chihuahuan Desert anywhere in the world.
Even before my time at Big Bend, I volunteered with the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute, now based in Fort Davis. In those days, the organization hosted gatherings that brought together researchers, educators, conservationists, and people who simply loved the desert. Similar conferences have been held over the years in South Texas and Las Cruces, creating opportunities for people to learn from one another and work together for the future of this remarkable region.
As I thought about this year’s conference, I found myself asking a simple question: What does it really mean to love the desert? Many people tell me they love the desert. But loving the desert is more than admiring a beautiful sunset or enjoying a hike through the mountains. To truly love the desert is to appreciate every part of it—the soil beneath our feet, the billions of microbes living unseen within that soil, the insects, spiders, reptiles, birds, mammals, plants, rocks, mountains, and all the countless interactions that make this ecosystem what it is.
The desert is not empty. It is alive. The more we learn about it, the more we discover. And the more we discover, the more there is to love. For me, loving the desert means taking the time to understand it. It means meeting the people who have dedicated their lives to studying it. It means listening to researchers, conservation advocates, educators, land managers, and community members who are working every day to protect this special place.
That is one of the reasons I am so excited about this year’s Chihuahuan Desert Conference. It provides an opportunity for all of us to learn from one another and gain a deeper appreciation for the desert we call home. If you are able to attend, I encourage you to join us. If you cannot attend, there are still ways to become involved. Consider joining the Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition or the El Paso Wildlife Conservation Society, the first organization in El Paso dedicated exclusively to wildlife conservation. Both provide opportunities to work with others who care deeply about protecting the natural heritage of our region.
So what does it mean to love the desert?
It means learning about it. It means appreciating it. It means sharing its stories. It means protecting it. And perhaps most importantly, it means helping others discover why it matters. Tonight, loving the desert means telling you this story and hoping that it inspires you to love this incredible place just a little more than you did yesterday. Because the future of the Chihuahuan Desert depends on people who care enough to learn, enough to appreciate, and enough to act.
