Grassland Restoration Project
With funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Partners for Wildlife program, the CDRI is restoring the historic open structure of the Nature Center’s grassland. The project will focus on the removal of invading juniper and restoring habitat for grassland bird species such as the Cassin’s Sparrow. FULL STORY

Cactus Rescue Program
In partnership with the LadyBird Johnson Wildflower Center and Sul Ross State University, CDRI staff are “rescuing” plants from areas that are being cleared for private development. Working ahead of the bulldozers, staff and volunteers take out as many cacti and desert plants as can be removed and bring them back to the Nature Center.

 Some of the plants are accessioned into the Institute’s Living Plant Collection or placed in the collections of the LadyBird Johnson Wildflower Center and Sul Ross State University. The remainder of the plants are being sold at the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center. All proceeds from the sale of these plants goes to support the Cactus Rescue Program and the CDRI’s Living Plant Collection.