Author Archives: chihuahuandeserteducation

Make plans to attend the 21st Annual Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta

The 21st annual Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta is coming up at the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens on September 27th, from 10:30am to 3:00pm. Enjoy learning about our big backyard in the Chihuahuan Desert through zoo exhibits and discovery tables featuring local organizations and educators. Visitors can expect animal encounter presentations, educational booths and entertainment in theContinueContinue reading “Make plans to attend the 21st Annual Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta”

Looking forward to this year’s Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta

This was the mountain lion featured in the first full color with sound documentary ever made on Big Bend National Park. My good friend Dr. Barton Warnock helped me reach out to a doctor living in Fort Stockton who had a pet mountain lion. You can watch the film on YouTube. by Rick LoBello IContinueContinue reading “Looking forward to this year’s Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta”

Help establish a giant US Mexico protected area

A meeting to discuss ways to put this project back on the US Mexico conservation radar screen is planned in El Paso on October 7, 2025. Contact us to learn more. If you know anything about Texas conservation history, you know that back in the 1930s a group of people including members of Rotary International and governmentContinueContinue reading “Help establish a giant US Mexico protected area”

Our fiesta was inspired by Big Bend National Park

by Rick LoBello Big Bend National Park’s proximity to the international border makes it a natural place for cross-border collaborations, such as protecting shared resources and ensuring good neighbor relations with people living in border towns like Boquillas del Carmen in Coahuila and Santa Elena in Chihuahua. When I worked in the park in 1981ContinueContinue reading “Our fiesta was inspired by Big Bend National Park”

Volunteers are needed to help with Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta decorations

The 21st Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta is just weeks away and Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition members and volunteers are meeting on Sunday, August 31 starting at noon to work on decorations. If you would like to help make decorations and are 21 years or older contact Fiesta Chairperson Kristina Flores at FloresK@elpasotexas.gov. Please bring crafting materialsContinueContinue reading “Volunteers are needed to help with Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta decorations”

Chihuahuan Desert Celebration Day

Texas horned lizard. Proclamation City of El Paso Be it Proclaimed: by the Mayor and Council of the City of El Paso, encouraging all residents to take part in honoring and protecting this treasured desert landscape through education, celebration, and conservation efforts. September 27, 2025, and the fourth Saturday of each September thereafter, shall beContinueContinue reading “Chihuahuan Desert Celebration Day”

Conservation at the Crossroads – War against the wolf

Former Texas Governor Ann Richards 1933-2006 Former Texas Governor Ann Richards was the most prominent politician in Texas to support wolf recovery in the wilderness areas of West Texas. What needs to happen to bring back this apex predator to the northern Chihuahuan Desert?Free Presentation – Thursday, August 7, 7pm, Westside Regional Command Center -ContinueContinue reading “Conservation at the Crossroads – War against the wolf”

Yamel Guadalupe Anaya Olguín rejoins CDEC board

by Rick LoBello, Board of Directors Chair Over the past few years, the Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition has expanded its outreach into Mexico. Many are unaware of how most of the Chihuahuan Desert is in Mexico with only about 10% located in West Texas, Southern New Mexico and a small corner of Arizona. Yamel andContinueContinue reading “Yamel Guadalupe Anaya Olguín rejoins CDEC board”