by Cuau Vital There’s a certain magic that happens in the Chihuahuan Desert after a rain. For most of the year, this vast desert that stretches across northern Mexico and parts of the United States looks like what people usually imagine when they hear the word “desert”—sandy soils, scattered shrubs, endless horizons under the hotContinue reading "When the desert turns green: rains in the Chihuahuan Desert"
Stamp Hunt Game at the Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta 2025
Kristy Flores and Dora Hernandez celebrating this year's 21st Annual Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta. Dora is the City of El Paso Climate Manager and was the Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta Chair from 2020-2024. Kristy works for the Health Department and is the new Chair for this year. We hope to see everyone at our event on SaturdayContinue reading "Stamp Hunt Game at the Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta 2025"
Meet the “Voices” at the Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta 2025
Voces de la Ciencia Juarense On September 27 starting at 10:30 am, we invite you to explore the differenteducational booths dedicated to the Chihuahuan Desert, science, and much more at the Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta at the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens. It will be a day full of knowledge, conservation, and community. But whoContinue reading "Meet the “Voices” at the Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta 2025"
We are bringing back mini talks to the Fiesta
Former CDEC board member Sal Quintanilla was an outstanding volunteer who focused on education about the smaller creatures of the Chihuahuan Desert at the fiesta, Zoo events, school groups and all kinds of venues across the city including Fort Bliss and Rio Bosque Wetland Park. by Rick LoBelloFeature Photo - Luna, our female jaguar takingContinue reading "We are bringing back mini talks to the Fiesta"
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 theContinue 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 IContinue 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 governmentContinue 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 1981Continue 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 materialsContinue 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 beContinue reading "Chihuahuan Desert Celebration Day"