Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition

Pyhruloxia courtesy of Mark Cunningham By Rick LoBello, Board Member Spring is in the air and now is a great time to watch for local birds getting ready to nest and sing away all across our city and the surrounding desert. One of our most beautiful resident birds is the Pyrrhuloxia, a very close relativeContinue reading "Meet your neighbors: the Pyrrhuloxia"

The off shore wind farm was established on a natural reef 3.5 kms outside Copenhagen Harbor, in the autumn of 2000 and consists of 20 turbines, each with 2 megawatt capacity. by Robert D. Vines PE, C.P.M., Board Member The most important, but most difficult action required to save our planet, is that every countryContinue reading "Governments addressing climate change"

Gould’s Turkey Meleagris gallopavo Mexicana Status: Least Concern. Size: On average males weigh 8 to 30 pounds with females weighing 8 to 12 pounds. Habitat: Arid desert and mountain regions. The Gould’s Turkey is the largest of the five subspecies of turkey. It is known only to the US Mexico border area of the southwestern corner of NewContinue reading "Chihuahuan Desert Wildlife: Gould’s Turkey"

Western diamondback rattlesnake By Rick LoBello, Board Member Late summer rains here in the Chihuahuan Desert are once again bringing out all kinds of snakes. A couple of years ago I came across a five-foot diamondback rattlesnake crossing the road near the Westside Open Reserve at the Community Park. Bullsnake Many people when they seeContinue reading "Snakes on the move!"

Desert willow. To help you look for native trees Texas A&M has compiled a list of native trees for El Paso on their website. By Rick LoBello, Board Member Did you know that planting non-native trees can have serious impacts to our environment? Non-native trees can change ecosystems and habitats. They can reduce or impede water flowContinue reading "Do the right thing, be sure to pick the right tree"

By Rick LoBello, Board Member Its been a while since I have seen one of the Curve-billed Thrashers living in my neighborhood, but the other day I am sure I heard one proclaim its presence with its loud whit-wheet whistle call.  If you pay attention to the birds near your home you probably have heardContinue reading "Meet your neighbors: The Curve-billed Thrasher"

by Robert D. Vines PE, C.P.M. Note – Robert D. Vines is on the Board of Directors of the Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition, one of the Zoo’s most important education partners. He says “If you are in a hurry, skip this first section and drop down to “El Paso Actions.” Climate Change Conundrum  – Part 1Continue reading "Climate Change – You can help"

The Montezuma Quail is one of over 100 species of birds in Texas threatened by climate change. We have Montezuma Quail at the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens living at the Ranch House. By Rick LoBello, Board Member The world has never done anything like this.   Bill Gates, How to Avoid A Climate Disaster,Continue reading "How serious are we about climate change?"

Gambel’s Quail Lophortyx gambeliiStatus: Least ConcernSize: 8.5 inches in lengthHabitat: Southwest Deserts in the US and Mexico Commonly seen in the El Paso area this quail species shares it’s desert habitat with Scaled Quail (also called Cotton-top Quail or Blue Quail).  A good place to watch for them is at the bird blind on theContinue reading "Chihuahuan Desert Wildlife: Gambel’s Quail"