Pollinator Week is an annual celebration in support of pollinator health to raise awareness for pollinators and spread the word about what we can do to protect them.   Pollinators are the vital agents that move pollen from one flower to another, enabling plants to reproduce and produce fruits and seeds. They are essential because they underpinContinue reading "This week is pollinator week"
Pronghorn Update
by Rick LoBello Show your support for Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition conservation education by subscribing to this blog Pronghorn populations in West Texas, specifically the Trans-Pecos region, have experienced declines in recent decades, but restoration efforts are showing positive results. Â While drought, habitat loss, and fences continue to pose challenges, conservation programs involving translocationContinue reading "Pronghorn Update"
For the love of snakes
Bullsnake by Andrew Dubois, Wikimedia Creative Commons by Rick LoBello Happy Thursday everyone. I am getting excited about an event on July 26 that I am planning at the El Paso Zoo called Reptilia: Celebration of Snakes. If you want to be involved, please contact me here at the Zoo.I just posted a blog andContinue reading "For the love of snakes"
Discover the Joy of CDEC
Volunteers on May 24 helped to clean up the West Side Open Reserve by Rick LoBello From the Rio Grande to the highest mountain peaks, the Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition is the only organization anywhere focused on education and conservation of the entire Chihuahuan Desert ecoregion in the Southwest United States and northern Mexico. WeContinue reading "Discover the Joy of CDEC"
Who wants to help bring back prairie dogs?
by Rick LoBello There was a time when black-tailed prairie dogs were common in El Paso and the surrounding area. Today there are no recent records of a single prairie dog anywhere and I am convinced that if enough people will work together on a plan, we can bring them back. For more information -Continue reading "Who wants to help bring back prairie dogs?"
Join us on May 28 – how to plant a pollinator garden
Dr. Paul Hyder will be the featured speaker at the Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition meeting on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 7pm CDEC encourages people in our city to conserve the Chihuahuan Desert is by planning a pollinator garden. Pollinators like butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and other animals that pollinate plants need our help. Pollinators supportContinue reading "Join us on May 28 – how to plant a pollinator garden"
Let’s help clean up the Westside Open Reserve Park
On Saturday, May 24, 2025 from 8am volunteers will meet at the trail head adjacent to the park at the El Paso Public Library Dorris Van Doren Branch parking lot, 551 Redd Road, El Paso, Texas 79912. This will be a one hour clean up. Bring water, sturdy shoes and a hat. So that enoughContinue reading "Let’s help clean up the Westside Open Reserve Park"
Save the Date – Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta
We are happy to announce that Kristina Flores from the Health Department is the chair of our Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta this year. We are always looking for new partners and volunteers to help with this event. To sign up you can scan the OQ code above. Special thanks to Dora Hernandez, the City of ElContinue reading "Save the Date – Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta"
We have exciting plans for 2025!
Dagger Flat, Big Bend National Park, Texas. The CDEC board meets monthly to discuss important topics, make plans, and talk about how to better conserve our Chihuahuan Desert. This past month, we had our first meeting of the year and made some big plans, so keep your eyes open for new events and more. TheContinue reading "We have exciting plans for 2025!"
Sign up to be a volunteer at the El Paso Zoo
Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition (CDEC) board members Albert Garcia and Victoria Claudia Cervantes Montes are El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens volunteers. When they volunteer at the Zoo they enjoy helping zoo guests better understand the biodiversity of our desert by playing the Zoo's Chihuahuan Desert game. Did you know that A Journal of HealthContinue reading "Sign up to be a volunteer at the El Paso Zoo"