Texas area report

Authors: Megan Bean, Maritza Mallek, Ryan Smith, Melissa Casarez, Sarah Robertson, Gabriela Tamez

Year: 2023

Abstract

Conservation partners in the Chihuahuan Desert region in Texas have been working on projects including life history studies, habitat associations, setting up refuge populations, and habitat restoration projects. A National Fish and Wildlife Foundation funded project was completed at Diamond Y Preserve near Fort Stockton, Texas. The study mapped aquatic habitats, monitored aquatic organisms, and removed invasive riparian species. Fish assemblage monitoring projects and aquatic youth education outreach events were held on the Devils and Pecos Rivers. Grassland and habitat restoration projects continue in the Pecos River watershed and the Rio Grande Joint Venture developed grassland, riparian, and instream restoration monitoring protocols for the Chihuahuan Desert in Texas. The Alamito Creek Restoration Initiative partners installed beaver dam analogs along Alamito Creek and TPWD partnered with the San Antonio Zoo to set up a captive refuge population of Conchos Pupfish. Partners are hopeful that Conchos Pupfish can be restored to Alamito Creek near some of the habitat restoration projects using San Antonio Zoo propagated fish. Progress has been made setting up private lands locations of Pecos Pupfish with one site stocked in September 2023 with fish propagated by the Fort Worth Zoo and another private lands habitat pond creation is in the works. Additional collaborative projects with university and conservation partners include updating species distribution models and Texas’ State Wildlife Action Plan.