Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute

 

Critter Club,

2008

 

 

Robert Minkley's Bee

Class, 2007

 

 

Miller Ranch, 2005

The Earth Rocks!!!, 2008 

 

Teachers' Workshop:

Geology of the

Big Bend, 2008

All-staff Training & Maintenance

Monday–Saturday, January 12–16

 

The Nature Center will be closed as the staff attends a week-long retreat, focusing on long-term planning, training, and maintenance.

February

Why Count Birds?

Josh Burns

Thursday, February 12

6:30 PM–7:30 PM

Free

 

Local birding expert Josh Burns will give a talk about the bird counts that take place in our area. He will discuss the history and scientific importance of bird counts, how birds are counted, what the data gathered by bird counts tell us, and what it means to be a citizen scientist. This is an excellent lecture to attend if you are planning on participating in a bird count with the CDRI.

CDRI's Great Backyard Bird Count

Saturday, February 14

8 AM

Free

 

The Great Backyard Bird Count is a national birding event sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society. The event engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where birds are across the continent. The Nature Center’s backyard is 500 acres of grassland, canyons, and rugged outcrops. Come help us find out what’s flying.

5th Cactus & Succulent Festival

Friday–Saturday, March 13–14

 

Each spring our cacti collection becomes a riot of color, scent, and texture. To celebrate this glorious event, we’re inviting you to the 5th Annual Cactus & Succulent Festival. Come tour the greenhouse, browse special exhibits, participate in events and workshops, and enjoy the desert in bloom! 

Friday Workshops, March 13

 

Make Your Own Living Succulent Wreath

Marc Goff & Melissa Brady

     10–11; $50 members, $60 nonmembers; limited to 10;   

     preregistration required

Succulents thrive in arid landscapes. Find out how you can add them to your indoor and outdoor spaces by making a living wreath. Tips, materials and baby plants provided.

 

Ethnobotany Activities for Kids

James Saunders

     10–2;  $5 per child; drop-in

Designed for families to do any time between 10 and 2; plan to spend 1 to 2 hours going through several hands-on stations. Learn to use native plant fibers to make historic and prehistoric tools: lechuguilla bracelets, yucca root soap, sotol fiber baskets, and lechuguilla painting brushes. Learn about how people have used cactus and succulents for food and medicine.

 

Pollination & Cacti: Interactive Exhibit

Cynthia McAlister

     11–1; drop-in and spend time at the microscope;

     free with admissions

Cynthia will have two microscopes set up to view pollen and its insect distributors. Learn about the many and varied ways critters (especially tiny ones) pollinate cacti, how their shapes fit together, and about their mutually beneficial relationships. Simple microscope instructions included.

 

What's that Cactus?

Jim Weedon

     1–3; $10 members, $15 nonmembers plus 20%

     discount on Cacti of Texas: A Field Guide (required), 

     limited to 12; preregistration required

Learn how to use the best cactus identification key around to help you identify cacti! This workshop consists of a short PowerPoint program, practice using your Cacti of Texas: A Field Guide to identify cacti in the greenhouse, then a short hike to identify cacti in the field. Handouts and hand lenses provided for use during the workshop. 

 

Cacti Story Hour & Walk

     2–3; free with adult admissions; limited to first 12

     children

Connect with your child and the beauty of cacti through an engaging story about cacti. To be followed by a short walk through the gardens and cactus greenhouse.

 

Propagation & Tips for Growing Cacti

Marc Goff

     3:30–4:30; $15 members, $20 members; limited to 12;

     preregistration required

Always captivated by the beauty and variety of cacti? Always taking home lots of baby plants only to carry out a black (or some funky, weird-looking color) death of the plant world? Be intimidated no more. Marc has the magic touch and will share his methods. Simple secrets abound. Find out more; pot up a cactus of your own; and take it home with you.

Cactus & Succulent Sale 

Begins Friday, March 13th at 9 AM

 

The CDRI's annual sale offers over 50 species of plants native to the Chihuahuan Desert region. Whether you’re starting a cactus collection, adding that special plant to your existing collection, or just looking for something for your garden, you’re sure to find it here. The majority of our cacti are seed-grown in the CDRI’s cactus greenhouse or from SRSU’s Native Plant Propagation Program in Alpine. Sale takes place at the Visitors' Center. 

 

Preliminary Species List for 2009.

Discover the Desert Scavenger Hunt

All Month

Fee: $5 per child

 

Traveling with your kids or want to get them outside during Spring Break? Drop into the Nature Center for a fun, make-and-explore activity. Designed for you to do with your favorite young person, this activity is self-guided. Themes will include cacti, tracks, rock ID, and pollinators, for a variety of ages.

Guided Walks & Hikes

Saturdays, March 7, 14, 21, 28

Hike at 11 AM; Walk at 2 PM

Fee: $2.50 per person

 

Join a guided hike or walk for interpretation on desert ecology, geology, botany, and cacti!

Extended Hours

New for 2009!

Sundays, March 8, 15, 22, 29 

10 AM–4 PM

Regular admissions: $5 per adult,

$4 per senior (65 and over),

members and kids 12 & under are free

Saturday Workshops, March 14

 

Learn Your Cacti

Dr. A. Michael & Shirley Powell

     10–12; $10 members, $15 nonmembers; limited to 12; preregistration required

Ever been puzzled by the myriad cacti in the Chihuahuan Desert region? “That’s a Coryphantha? I thought it was a Mammillaria!” Now’s your chance to learn some simple cactus basics about form and structure. A short walk to see them on the landsite hones your skills.

Ethnobotany Activities for Kids

James Saunders

     10–2;  $5 per child; drop-in

Designed for families to do any time between 10 and 2; plan to spend 1 to 2 hours going through several hands-on stations. Learn to use native plant fibers to make historic and prehistoric tools: lechuguilla bracelets, yucca root soap, sotol fiber baskets, and lechuguilla painting brushes. Learn about how people have used cactus and succulents for food and medicine.

 

Pollination & Cacti: Interactive Exhibit

Cynthia McAlister

     11–1; drop-in and spend time at the microscope; free with admissions

Cynthia will have two microscopes set up to view pollen and its insect distributors. Learn about the many and varied ways critters (especially tiny ones) pollinate cacti, how their shapes fit together, and about their mutually beneficial relationships. Simple microscope instructions included.

 

What's that Cactus?

Jim Weedon

     1–3; $10 members, $15 nonmembers plus 20%

     discount on Cacti of Texas: A Field Guide (required), limited to 12; preregistration required

Learn how to use the best cactus identification key around to help you identify cacti! This workshop consists of a short PowerPoint program, practice using your Cacti of Texas: A Field Guide to identify cacti in the greenhouse, then a short hike to identify cacti in the field. Handouts and hand lenses provided for use during the workshop. 

 

Cacti Story Hour & Walk

     2–3; free with adult admissions; limited to first 12 children

Connect with your child and the beauty of cacti through an engaging story about cacti. To be followed by a short walk through the gardens and cactus greenhouse.

 

Propagation & Tips for Growing Cacti

Marc Goff

     3:30–4:30; $15 members, $20 members; limited to 12; preregistration required

Always captivated by the beauty and variety of cacti? Always taking home lots of baby plants only to carry out a black (or some funky, weird-looking color) death of the plant world? Be intimidated no more. Marc has the magic touch and will share his methods. Simple secrets abound. Find out more; pot up a cactus of your own; and take it home with you.

Desert Springs Field Trip

John Karges

Saturday, March 28

Time: 8 AM–5 PM

Fee: $25 members, $30 nonmembers

Pre-registration required

Limited to 15 

The springs of the northern Chihuahuan Desert are tiny gems harboring some of the rarest plants and animals in the desert. Come explore three desert springs during this day-long field trip. Led by John Karges, the West Texas Program Manager for The Nature Conservancy, you’ll learn about desert wetland inhabitants (some that have never been scientifically described before!) and the difference between freshwater and saline water springs. Bring your lunch and prepare to get muddy in the desert.

Field trip is full!

Shafter Silver Mine 

Jack Burgess

Saturday, April 4

9 AM–1 PM 

Fee: $25 members, $30 nonmembers 

Pre-registration required

Limited to 20

 

This excursion to the historic mine will include a presentation on mining safety, a history of the mine, and a tour of the underground mining shafts and the Mina Grande open pit. The tour will be led by mining engineer Jack Burgess and employees of the Rio Grande Mining Company. Bring a sack lunch and dress for the weather.

Teachers' Workshop: Life Zones of the Chihuahuan Desert Region

Friday & Saturday, April 10 & 11

9 AM–1 PM 

Fee: $100 teacher members, $125 nonmembers 

Pre-registration required

Limited to 10

 

This workshop will cover the different life zones that make the Chihuahuan Desert region one of the most biologically diverse arid environments of the world. We’ll start with the desert scrub areas of Big Bend National Park, work our way through mid-elevation grasslands, and finish with the juniper-oak woodlands and conifer forests of the Davis Mountains. We’ll study the climatic and geologic differences that determine the ecology of each life zone, and cover the plants and animals that make these habitats their home.

Fort Davis Spring Butterfly Count

Saturday, April 18

10 AM

Fee:  $3 per adult 

 

The Fort Davis Butterfly Count Circle is centered on the Jeff Davis County Courthouse and extends from the CDRI’s Nature Center to the McDonald Observatory. Join fellow butterfly enthusiasts to conduct these seasonal counts of our butterflies. We’ll focus on the Nature Center, but if there are enough participants, we’ll cover the entire count circle. All ages and skill levels are encouraged to participate.

 

Fees are submitted to the North American Butterfly Association to support maintenance of their website and production of reports.

Land Ethic Country

Robert Conant Distinguished Lecturer Series

Richard C. Bartlett

Wednesday, April 22

7 PM 

Sul Ross State University, Alpine; Lawrence Hall, Room 309

Free

 

After working in the American Southwest one hundred years ago, Aldo Leopold developed his idea of an ecological approach to land management. Texas author and philanthropist Dick Bartlett argues that the Big Bend Region of Texas is a focal point of such a land ethic. No other region on Earth has such a confluence of private, federal, and state land owners who demonstrate such a deeply ingrained sense of conservation-minded land use ethics. Join Dick as he discusses the importance of high standards for land ethics and the evolution of the modern environmental movement that was first started by the ideas of Aldo Leopold.

24th Annual Native Plant Sale  

Friday & Saturday, April 24 & 25

 

Each year, we bring you the very best of plants native to the Chihuahuan Desert region. Already adapted to local growing conditions, these plants are drought-resistant, easy to maintain, and beautiful! At our native plant sale, you’ll find a wide variety of trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, cacti and succulents suited to our climate. This year we are also offering seed-grown, bare-root and boxed ocotillo. So grow native!

 

Preliminary Species List for 2009

Members' Night 

Friday, April 24

4–7 PM

 

As a member, you are invited to choose from the very best selection of plants during our special Member’s Night event on Friday. There will be plant experts on hand to answer all your questions and light refreshments to enjoy as you shop. 

 

Not a member? You can join Friday night, shop, and pay for your membership all at this very special event.

24th Annual Native Plant Sale

Saturday, April 25

9 AM–5 PM

 

The plant sale continues Saturday morning with plenty of plants to choose from. Our plant experts and volunteers will be on hand to help you select plants and answer any questions that you may have. Be sure to check here in early April for a preliminary list of plants that will be available during the sale.  

Hummingbird Banding Demonstration

Kelly Bryan 

Wednesday, May 6

Time: TBA

Free with admissions

 

Local hummingbird expert Kelly Bryan will be banding hummingbirds as part of a study on their migratory behavior. He invites anyone who is interested to come and watch as he captures, bands, and releases these amazing birds. This demonstration is also offered in June, August, and September.

International Migratory Bird Day: Count & Walk: Celebrating Birds in Culture

Saturday, May 9

Time: TBA

 

In conjunction with Environment for the Americas, a nonprofit organization working to increase awareness of birds and their conservation throughout the Western Hemisphere, the CDRI will host a bird count and walk on International Migratory Bird Day. This event focuses attention on one of the most important and spectacular events in the life of a migratory bird—its journey between its summer and winter homes. Join us on the walk and count to learn the difference between our resident birds and those that are just passing through.

Grand Opening

Our Dynamic Landscape: Geology, Culture, History

Saturday, May 30

Opening 10:00 AM with guided hike to follow

 

Set on the highest point of the Nature Center property, the Interpretive Geological Exhibit encourages visitors to learn to read the geological, cultural, and historical landscape. Join us for the official ribbon cutting and a guided hike to view the exhibit.

** Cancelled **

Teachers' Workshop: Geology of the Big Bend Region

Monday–Thursday, June 8–12

Time: TBA 

Fee: $350 members, $400 nonmembers

Pre-registration required

Limited to 10

 

Designed for earth science and geology teachers, or anyone interested in the geologically famous Big Bend region. This four-day workshop will take you on a driving tour of some of the most geologically spectacular areas of the region, including Big Bend National Park, The Chisos and Davis Mountains, and the CDRI’s landsite. We’ll study igneous and sedimentary rock formations, desert springs, and canyons. You’ll see examples of different geological processes past and present, and absorb the geological history of the region.

Critter Club: Summer Day Camp for Preschoolers

Monday–Friday, June 15–19

9:30 AM–12 noon 

Fee:  $80 members, $100 nonmembers

Pre-registration required 

Limited to 10

 

Kids love day camp! Where else do you get to go on walks, do and make things, and tell stories and read books—all centered around a different nature theme each day? Emphasis will be placed on developing an appreciation for the natural world. Ages 4 to 6.

Native Bee Identification

Cynthia McAlister

Saturday, June 27

10 AM–2 PM

Fee: $20 members, $25 nonmembers

Pre-registration required 

Limited to 15

 

Native bees are the most ecologically important of all the insect pollinators. In this workshop Cynthia will describe the morphological characteristics used to identify native bees, discuss their natural history, and lead you on a walk through the botanical gardens to watch these industrious insects in action. To wrap up, you’ll examine collected specimens under a microscope.

Celebrate National Pollinator Week

Sunday–Saturday, June 21–27 

 

Did you know that a pollinator is responsible for every third bite of food that we eat? Or that there are over 500 species of native bees in Texas? Or that animal pollinators such as insects, bats, and hummingbirds are especially important pollinators in the desert where plants are widely spaced?

 

When you select native plants for your garden, you’re also contributing to the conservation of our native pollinators. During National Pollinator Week, take a moment to learn more about beeflies; begin collecting information about what type of hummingbirds visit which flowers; take an afternoon to visit the Nature Center & Botanical Garden and learn more about the pollinators of our region. Every step you take helps conserve our native pollinators! Visit www.pollinator.org/pollinator_week_2008.htm for more information.

** Canceled **

A World of Milkweed

Robert Conant Distinguished Lecturer Series

Joann Karges

 

In addition to being the larval food source for monarch butterflies, the milkweed plant has been used by humans for thousands of years in an incredible variety of ways. South American and African natives knew the sap was poisonous and used it to tip their arrows. Other species have medicinal properties and can be used to treat a wide range of conditions including warts and poison ivy rash. Joanne Karges will introduce the milkweeds of Texas, and talk about the many ways both man and animals benefit from this amazing plant.

Fort Davis Summer Butterfly Count

Friday, July 3

10 AM

Fee:  $3 per adult

 

The Fort Davis Butterfly Count Circle is centered on the Jeff Davis County Courthouse and extends from the CDRI’s Nature Center to the McDonald Observatory. Join fellow butterfly enthusiasts to conduct these seasonal counts of our butterflies. We’ll focus on the Nature Center, but if there are enough participants, we’ll cover the entire count circle. All ages and skill levels are encouraged to participate. Fees are submitted to the North American Butterfly Association to support maintenance of their website and production of reports.

The Desert After Dark: Guided Discovery Walks and Evening Hours

Saturdays, July 11,18, 25 

Sunset

Fee:  $5

 

The desert comes alive after dark. Join CDRI staff and volunteers on these guided, nocturnal excursions into our botanical gardens and Modesta Canyon to discover what goes on when the sun goes down. The garden walk will be an easy stroll, but the canyon hike is steep and strenuous in places. This is a great family activity, but children must be closely supervised by adults. Remember to dress warmly in layers, wear appropriate hiking shoes, and bring a flashlight.

Special Evening Hours
Saturdays, July 11, 18, 25

Open until sunset
Admission fee: free to members and children under 12; $5 for adults; $4 for seniors 65 and over

 

The Nature Center is a special place during summer evenings. To give you the opportunity to experience the Nature Center at dusk, we’ll be open until sunset the last three Saturdays in July.

Desert Rat Club: Summer Day Camp for Elementary-age Children

Monday–Friday, July 13–17 

9:30 AM–12 noon

Fee:  $80 members, $100 nonmembers

Pre-registration required 

Limited to 12

 

Desert Rat Club participants will explore the flora, fauna, and geology of the natural world through nature walks, journaling, careful observation, and experimentation. Emphasis will be placed on encouraging participants to think like a scientist as we explore the natural world. Ages 7 to 10.

** New Date **

Hummingbirds of West Texas

Kelly Bryan 

Saturday, July 30

Thursday, August 6

7 PM

SRSU, Alpine; Room: TBA

Free

 

Nineteen species of hummingbirds make Texas their home for at least part of the year; 17 have been documented in west Texas. Kelly Bryan is a local hummingbird expert; he’ll cover status, habitat requirements, distribution, and identification, and discuss recent research and banding studies.

Field trip is full!

Flora of the Chinati Mountains Field Trip

Jackie Poole & Linda Hedges 

Saturday, August 1

9 AM–5 PM 

Fee: $25 members, $30 nonmembers

Pre-registration required

Limited to 10

 

The remote and rugged Chinati Mountains State Natural Area was deeded to the state ten years ago by a private land owner. Public access is still limited, so take advantage of this rare opportunity to learn about the plant life and take in the scenery of this beautiful area. Texas Parks & Wildlife Botanist Jackie Poole and Regional Interpretive Specialist Linda Hedges will lead this day-long interpretive hike. Only experienced, fit hikers should sign up. Be sure to wear sturdy hiking boots and appropriate clothing, and bring a hat, plenty of water, and food for the day.

** New Date **

Hummingbirds of West Texas

Kelly Bryan 

Saturday, July 30

Thursday, August 6

7 PM

SRSU, Alpine; Lawrence Hall, Room 309

Free

 

Nineteen species of hummingbirds make Texas their home for at least part of the year; 17 have been documented in west Texas. Kelly Bryan is a local hummingbird expert; he’ll cover status, habitat requirements, distribution, and identification, and discuss recent research and banding studies.

** New Date **

Hummingbird Banding Demonstration

Kelly Bryan 

Saturday, August 1

Saturday, August 8

8 AM

Free with admissions

 

Local hummingbird expert Kelly Bryan will be banding hummingbirds as part of a study on their migratory behavior. He invites anyone who is interested to come and watch as he captures, bands, and releases these amazing birds. This demonstration is also offered in May, June, and September.

Entomology Short Course

Dr. Chris Ritzi

Thursday–Saturday, August 13–15

9 AM–5 PM

Fee: $75 members, $100 nonmembers

Pre-registration required

Limited to 15

Prepare to immerse yourself in the world of insects. You’ll learn about insect natural history, identification, and collecting—all in three days! We’ll include an overview of the major groups of insects, what distinguishes an insect from other arthropods, information about the ecological importance of insects, key characteristics used to identify insects, and collecting techniques. Dr. Ritzi is an expert in invertebrate biology, and teaches entomology at Sul Ross State University.

Conservation of Mexican Grasslands

Robert Conant Distinguished Lecturer Series

Jurgen Hoth

Thursday, August 27

7 PM

SRSU, Alpine; Lawrence Hall Room 309

Free

Grasslands are a unique part of the Chihuahuan Desert and one of the most threatened environments in North America. Come learn about the importance of grassland ecosystems in the region and about the World Wildlife Fund’s efforts to build an international consensus on grassland conservation. Our lecturer is Jurgen Hoth, a conservation biologist with the WWF in Mexico. He has been involved in grassland conservation in the Chihuahuan Desert for ten years.

Workshop is full!

Northern Chihuahuan Desert Region Grass Identification

Dr. A. Michael Powell & Shirley Powell 

Saturday, August 29

10 AM–2 PM

Fee: $20 members, $25 nonmembers

Pre-registration required

Limited to 15

 

Over 50 species of grasses can be found at the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center & Botanical Gardens. This course will focus on the morphology and identification of the most common species in our mixed-grass prairie. You’ll begin indoors, with an overview of the different structures you need to be familiar with before you head outdoors to use what you’ve learned in the field. Dr. Powell is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Biology; he and Shirley have published several books on native plants.

** New Addition **

Hummingbird Banding Demonstration at Christmas Mountains Oasis, Brewster Co.

Kelly Bryan & Carolyn Ohl 

Saturday, September 12

Time and meeting place TBA

 

In addition to banding hummingbirds at the Nature Center and in the Davis Mountains Resort, local hummingbird expert Kelly Bryan will be banding hummingbirds at Christmas Mountains Oasis as part of a study on their migratory behavior. He invites anyone who is interested to come and watch as he captures, bands, and releases these amazing birds. This demonstration is also offered in May, June, and August, at the Nature Center.

** New Date **

Hummingbird Banding Demonstration

Kelly Bryan 

Wednesday, September 16

Wednesday, September 23

8 AM

Free with admissions

 

Local hummingbird expert Kelly Bryan will be banding hummingbirds as part of a study on their migratory behavior. He invites anyone who is interested to come and watch as he captures, bands, and releases these amazing birds. This demonstration is also offered in May, June, and August.

Saturday, September 19

3 PM, registration; 4 PM, auction;

5:30 PM, dinner

Suggested donation:  $15 per plate

 

Join friends and CDRI family for our annual Member’s Appreciation BBQ and fundraising auction. Expect good food, one-of-a-kind auction items, and fellowship as we gather to acknowledge the support of our members and to raise money for our educational programs and operating expenses.

Crazy About Caterpillars!

Friday, September 26

6–8 PM

Free

 

In this presentation, Liz Cannedy of WildSeed Farms will focus on the beauty of caterpillars before they turn into butterflies and provide tips for successful butterfly gardening. The presentation will be offered at the Nature Center, in the Visitors' Center, followed by a walk through the Botanical Gardens to look for caterpillars and butterflies.

 

Learn about caterpillars on Friday evening, then join us on Saturday for the Fort Davis Fall Butterfly Count. 

Fort Davis Fall Butterfly Count

Saturday, September 26

10 AM

Fee:  $3 per adult

 

The Fort Davis Butterfly Count Circle is centered on the Jeff Davis County Courthouse and extends from the CDRI’s Nature Center to the McDonald Observatory. Join fellow butterfly enthusiasts to conduct these seasonal counts of our butterflies. We’ll focus on the Nature Center, but if there are enough participants, we’ll cover the entire count circle. All ages and skill levels are encouraged to participate.

 

Fees are submitted to the North American Butterfly Association to support maintenance of their website and production of reports.

Volcanoes, Earthqukes & Cities in Shadow

Robert Conant Distinguished Lecturer Series

Dr. Patricia Wood Dickerson

Wednesday, October 14

7 PM

SRSU, Alpine

Lawrence Hall Rm. 309

 

San Francisco, Tokyo, Manila, Seattle, Mexico City, Istanbul—all are examples of great cities that are situated in the shadow of active volcanoes and powerful faults. With the aid of astronaut-acquired photographs taken from 200 or more miles above Earth, Dr. Pat Dickerson will take you on a trip to each of these cities. The journey will include Naples, where Vesuvius devastated Pompeii in 79 AD. We’ll visit the temple of the Oracle at Delphi which sits astride an earthquake-producing fault. Here the oracle breathed gases that rose in the fissure and delivered enigmatic prophecies. Predictions of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes are drawn from aerial views and satellite images, archaeological records and historical accounts, and field studies and instrumental monitoring, all of which will be covered in Dr. Dickerson’s presentation. 

The Earth Rocks!!! A Celebration of Earth Science Week

Thursday, October 15

9 AM–2 PM

Pre-registration of school or youth groups required  

Fee:  free scholarships

 

Our 4th annual Earth Rocks!!! science field day for students will offer hands-on activities, exhibits, and guided tours to introduce and reinforce important basic concepts concerning geology, minerals, weather, and water. Activities planned include a fossil dig, panning for minerals, guided geology hike, mining heritage exhibit tour, solar viewing telescope, weather table, and the Moh’s hardness scale.

 

Made possible by generous support from CDRI Auction Donors, Charles Cragin, of Midland, and corporate sponsors, King Land & Water and Texas Mines Venture, both of Fort Davis.

 

Contact Jessica Glasscock at 432-364-2499 or education@cdri.org.

Teachers' Workshop: Geology at the Nature Center

**Canceled**

Friday, October 30

Fee:  $50 teacher members, $65 nonmembers

Pre-registration required

Limited to 12

 

Situated at an elevation of 5,040 feet in the foothills of the Davis Mountains, our landsite makes an excellent outdoor classroom for geology. In this workshop, we’ll cover the geological history of the area and the processes of construction and destruction responsible for the three geological formations found on our landsite. We’ll also introduce the concept of a watershed, look closely at intrusive and extrusive igneous formations, and touch on the history of the Davis Mountains.

Celebrate Earth Science Week

Sunday–Saturday, October 11–17

 

2009 will mark the 12th year that the American Geological Institute has sponsored this international event to promote understanding and appreciation of the value of earth science research and its applications and relevance to our daily lives. Their objectives are to engage students in discovering the earth sciences; remind people that earth science is all around us; encourage Earth stewardship through understanding; and motivate geoscientists to share their knowledge and enthusiasm about the Earth. Learn more by visiting www.earthsciweek.org. 

Fall Bird Count

Saturday, November 7

8 AM

Free

 

Join us for the last of our seasonal bird counts at the Nature Center. By November, our winter migrants have arrived and our old favorites have settled in. The fall count is a great time to brush up on your sparrow identification skills.

7th Symposium on the Natural Resources of the Chihuahuan Desert Region 

** Postponed until 2010 **

 

In 1974 a group of scientists and concerned citizens from Sul Ross State University founded the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute to promote public awareness, appreciation, and concern for the natural diversity of the Chihuahuan Desert region through research and education. Also in 1974, the first Symposium on the Natural Resources of the Chihuahuan Desert was held.

Thirty-five years later, the symposium still brings together researchers, students, landmanagers, educators, and the general public to exchange ideas; provide updates on current research; and participate in discussion of future research and management needs.

In 2009, concurrent sessions featuring 15-minute presentations, poster sessions, workshops, and special sessions will be offered during the two days of the symposium. A social hour on Thursday, November 19th, the evening before the conference, and an informal dinner on Friday will provide participants an opportunity to visit.

Thanksgiving Open House & Invitation to Membership 

Friday & Saturday, November 27 & 28

9 AM–5 PM

Admission-free for all visitors 

 

As with many non-profit organizations, the CDRI relies on the support of its membership for valuable funds and an interested public. If you are a member, you already know all of the once-in-a-lifetime experiences you can enjoy by belonging to the CDRI. This special weekend, bring your friends and family to the Nature Center to share some of those opportunities and to encourage them to become members. If you are not a member, come check us out and think about joining. Take a brisk walk through the canyon or find that perfect gift in the Leapin’ Lizards Nature Shop. Guided hikes are planned for 1:00 PM on Friday and 10:00 AM on Saturday. Stop by the Visitors’ Center for maps, cookies, and hot chocolate. Admission is free for everyone!

Fort Davis & Balmorhea Christmas Bird Counts

Saturday & Sunday, December 19 & 20

Time TBA

Fee:  $5 per each field observer aged 18 and over

Pre-registration required

 

Be a part of the National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count! Each year, local volunteers collect data in the Davis Mountains and in Balmorhea during this international birding event (now in its 109th year!). You’ll help monitor the status of resident and migratory birds across the Western Hemisphere. Everyone is invited, and birders of all skill levels are encouraged to participate. Please contact Kelly Bryan at kelly.b.bryan@gmail.com for details and registration information. 

 

Fees help the Audubon Society generate materials for compilers, produce the annual CBC summary issue, and maintain the CBC website and database.