Author Archives: chihuahuandeserteducation

CDEC marks 20th Year with plans for membership, conference and fiesta event

CDEC sponsored the first El Paso Chihuahuan Desert Conference in 2010 at the Tech H20 Learning Center. Two other conferences were hosted at the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens in 2019 and 2023 Thanks for your interest in the Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition. We are an all- volunteer organization, and you can read ourContinueContinue reading “CDEC marks 20th Year with plans for membership, conference and fiesta event”

Birds of Rio Bosque Wetlands Park

Trail leading into Rio Bosque Wetlands Park Enjoy reading about our amazing Chihuahuan Desert. Sign up for a free subscription to our blog. by Rick LoBello If you have never been to Rio Bosque Wetlands Park now is a great time before we start experiencing the unforgivable hot days of summer. I went to the park lastContinueContinue reading “Birds of Rio Bosque Wetlands Park”

Last chance to save El Paso’s Rio Bosque Wetlands Park

16 years ago, there was a standoff at Rio Bosque Wetlands Park in the lower valley of El Paso when long time advocates like Judy Ackerman (center) and Sal Quintanilla (right) joined residents across the city in fighting to save the wildlife corridor between the border wall and the Rio Grande. Bill Addington (left). PhotoContinueContinue reading “Last chance to save El Paso’s Rio Bosque Wetlands Park”

El Paso water aquifers predicted to run out in 31-42 years

Saving Water by Robert D. Vines PE, C.P.M. Note – Robert is on the Advisory Board of Directors of the Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition, one of the Zoo’s most important education partners. El Paso receives sixty percent of its water from two large aquifers. An extensive analysis by Dr. Alex Mayer at UTEP indicates thatContinueContinue reading “El Paso water aquifers predicted to run out in 31-42 years”

Volunteers needed to help with map project

Perfect for classroom, library or homeschool!Detailed Full Color Regional Map – 36 x 24 inch30 Destinations in Texas; New Mexico; Chihuahua and Coahuila, MexicoOfficial Map of Big Bend National Park 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 theContinueContinue reading “Volunteers needed to help with map project”

Adopt an agave and help and endangered bat

By Dr. Kristen Lear, Agave Restoration Program Director at Bat Conservation International The El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens invites our community to give a helping hand (or in this case plant) to one of our endangered native bats! The Zoo has partnered with Bat Conservation International for the second year of our “Adopt anContinueContinue reading “Adopt an agave and help and endangered bat”

Zoo will host Keep Big Bend Wild public meeting, Nov. 14, 6:30pm

Mexican black bear by Rick LoBello Many species of Chihuahuan Desert wildlife will benefit from wilderness protection at Big Bend National Park. KEEP BIG BEND WILD is a coalition of Big Bend National Park supporters who care deeply about securing the future of the wild places we love at Big Bend.  Their goal is toContinueContinue reading “Zoo will host Keep Big Bend Wild public meeting, Nov. 14, 6:30pm”

This Bat Appreciation Month, “Adopt an Agave” to Save a Bat!

By Dr. Kristen Lear, Agave Restoration Program Director at Bat Conservation International October is Bat Appreciation Month, and what better way to celebrate than giving a helping hand (or in this case plant) to one of our endangered native bats! The El Paso Zoo has partnered with Bat Conservation International for the second year ofContinueContinue reading “This Bat Appreciation Month, “Adopt an Agave” to Save a Bat!”