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Conserving the natural resources of the Chihuahuan Desert Borderlands
through research, education, and outreach.
| | BRI Celebrates Historic Legislative Support | | Photo courtesy of Silverio Avila. | | |
As the Borderlands Research Institute (BRI) marks its 18th year, it has reached a watershed milestone: for the first time, the Texas Legislature has committed significant ongoing funding to support BRI’s mission of conserving the natural resources of the Chihuahuan Desert Borderlands.
“This investment by the Texas Legislature is both historic and forward-looking,” said Sul Ross State University President Dr. Carlos Hernandez. “It affirms the outstanding success of the Borderlands Research Institute, and it will allow us to take this important work to the next level.”
Since 2007, BRI has built a national reputation for wildlife and habitat research in West Texas, supported primarily by private philanthropy. The new appropriation provides long-term stability and positions BRI to expand its research, education, and outreach.
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| | West Texas Water Research Center Updates | | |
The new West Texas Water Research Center (WTWRC) at Sul Ross State University is quickly taking shape, with interim leadership in place, a senior research scientist on board, and a stakeholder-driven planning process underway.
“I'm honored to help stand up one of the most important resources West Texans have seen in a long time,” said Billy Tarrant, Interim Director of the WTWRC. “Having the Center based at Sul Ross—and locally managed—means we can work side-by-side with the people and communities most directly impacted by water challenges.”
Housed within the Borderlands Research Institute at Sul Ross and launched with a challenge grant from the Horizon Foundation, the WTWRC will deliver science-based solutions to West Texas’ most pressing water issues, with a focus on availability, recharge, and sustainability in the Trans-Pecos. Joining the leadership team is Dr. Kevin Urbanczyk, longtime Sul Ross professor and water expert, serving as Senior Research Scientist.
A listening tour with landowners, groundwater districts, municipalities, and agency partners is now underway to shape the new center’s mission and priorities.
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Billy Tarrant
Interim Director, West Texas Water Research Center
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Dr. Kevin Urbanczyk
Senior Research Scientist, West Texas Water Research Center
| | | Delaware River Basin Restoration | | |
Texan by Nature and ConocoPhillips have launched the Delaware River Basin Restoration Project, a five-year initiative to improve land and water resilience in West Texas.
In collaboration with the Borderlands Research Institute, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Rio Grande Joint Venture, and local landowners, the effort will restore native grasses, enhance watershed function, and strengthen drought resilience across priority rangelands.
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| | Landowner Workshop Coming to Alpine | | |
Mark your calendar for an upcoming workshop in Alpine on Nov. 13, 2025. Diversifying Land Use in the Trans-Pecos: Informing Landowner Strategies for Conservation and Economic Sustainability will include discussions about energy development, ecosystem services, ecotourism, conservation easements, profitable ranching, and an update on New World screwworm.
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| | Record Scholarships Benefit BRI Students | | 2025-2026 Borderlands Research Institute Scholarship recipients. Pictured, from left: Front row — Asia Cornelius, Cesar Garza, Hayley Shultz, Eliana Goodwin. Second row — Audrey Taulli, Maggie Rector, Kendall Christensen, Luke Christensen, Halli Lovell, Emilie Brochon, Christian Lewis, Bryce Mann, Will Quarles. Back row — Chris Mott, Emily Blumentritt, Shelby duPerier, SJ Gilbert, Ty Goodwin, Hailey Barton, Kennedy Bailey, Andrew Dotray, Jesse Ellgren. Not pictured are Caitlin Camp-Pappas, Matt Hewitt, and Madison Vastine. | | |
More than two dozen Sul Ross State University students have been awarded over $250,000 in scholarships through the Borderlands Research Institute—the largest distribution of scholarship funds in BRI’s history.
“As another semester gets rolling, our students are already hard at work with their classwork and research projects, and this is welcome news for them,” said Dr. Louis Harveson, BRI’s Dan Allen Hughes, Jr., Endowed Director. “Thanks to the Borderlands Research Foundation and many generous donors, we are seeing an unprecedented investment in our students—and ultimately in the future of conservation.”
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| | Feature on Bighorn Symposium Published | | |
A feature-length story on the May symposium Managing Desert Bighorn Sheep in Texas: Challenges of the 21st Century was published in the September issue of Texas Wildlife magazine by the Texas Wildlife Association. The symposium was held on campus at Sul Ross and moderated by Dr. Louis Harveson. The article is now available on BRI’s website.
READ THE ARTICLE
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Texas Parks and Wildlife Department recently honored wildlife biologist Jose Etchart with a 2025 Employee Award in Conservation. Jose is a BRI alum and we’re all cheering him on!
WATCH THE VIDEO
| | Add These Upcoming Events to Your Calendar! | | Several events are on the horizon here in West Texas! Click on the flyers below to learn more and visit the registration pages. | |
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