Together we have conserved over
8,000 acres of land!
Jeff Davis County Conservation Easement
A new conservation win has been achieved in 2026 in Jeff Davis County, with the permanent protection of 52-acres through a conservation easement. Safeguarding a vital expanse of native grasses (blue grama, side oats grama, etc.), and pinyon pines, including habitat for mountain lion, rock wrens, and white-tailed deer. The property is adjacent to a large ranch that is managed for wildlife and The Nature Conservancy Davis Mountains Preserve. The project kicks off The Frontera Land Alliance’s efforts to protect the unique natural heritage, ranches, and wildlife in Jeff Davis County.
The donation of this conservation easement was made possible through a collaborative effort, with funding provided by area foundations, by the Texas Land Trust Council and the generosity of the landowner in the donation of their development rights. Conservation easements are perpetual agreements that restrict certain types of development or land uses to protect the property's natural, scenic, or agricultural values, while allowing the land to remain in private ownership. This approach aligns with The Frontera Land Alliance’s mission to protect forever natural open spaces, farms and ranches, watershed and wildlife of the northern Chihuahuan Desert.
The protection of this Jeff Davis County property contributes to a broader statewide effort to stem the loss and conversion of natural lands, farms and ranches.
It not only preserves critical habitat and natural resources but also supports the continued preservation of land, water and wildlife by demonstrating a successful model for balancing economic viability with environmental stewardship.
Integrated Solutions for Complex Needs
Visual & Behavioral Ecology in the 21st Century
Brett Seymoure, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences, Entomological Collections Curator, Director of Chihuahuan Desert Biodiversity REU, at UTEP carried out a study to see if light is the most important abiotic factor driving biological functions. Part of the study was conducted at Knapp Land Nature Preserve.
At the UTEP visual and behavioral ecology lab, we study how animals have adapted to and are affected by light. Dr. Seymoure said "Overall, our research interests lie at how light affects animals. In most cases, we research the visual perception of light by animals but have studied how light can affect thermoregulatory behaviors as well. Currently, we have three main interests within the realm of sensory ecology: 1) Visual ecology in a changing world; 2) Species interactions under novel visual environments; and 3) Light pollution as a driver of insect declines.
To learn more go to: Visual & Behavioral Ecology and click on Research to read the full study.
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Wakeem/Teschner Nature Preserve Celebrates 20 years!
For 20 years, the Wakeem/Teschner Nature Preserve at Resler Canyon has quietly offered moments of stillness, wonder, and connection. As we celebrate this milestone, we invite you to help us care for this desert sanctuary by picking up trash, staying on the trail and keeping pets on a leach—so it can keep nurturing life, beauty, and community for generations to come.
For two decades, this urban canyon—once threatened by large-scale real estate development—has remained protected because people like you believed in the power of open space, quiet beauty, and community action. Resler Canyon is more than just a trailhead or a view—it’s a symbol of what we can protect when we come together. Today, Resler’s desert trails are walked by families, birdwatchers, students, and hikers alike. Wildlife like bobcats, quail, and lizards still roam here. Desert blooms still surprise us with their resilience.
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Desert Discovery Camp
Discover the desert through the eyes of children at the Frontera Desert Discovery Camps:
Camp 2:
https://studio.youtube.com/video/o6QXcRRaeuU/edit
We had an incredible time exploring Franklin Mountains State Park and diving into outdoor and environmental education at Frontera’s first community camps! From hiking and hands-on learning to connecting with nature, every moment was filled with curiosity and fun. The kids explored the outdoors, learned about the desert, and connected with nature through watercolors, journaling, CO2 readers, and lessons about the area’s mammals, plants and insects.
To learn more about our area climate see the links below:
Climate Change Study Results:
2023 Humidity: Climate Change El Paso Texas
2023 Temperature: Temperature at sites
2023 Summary: PDF Poster with detailed description.
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Community-Driven Inclusive Excellence and Leadership Opportunities in the Geosciences
Community-Driven Inclusive Excellence and Leadership Opportunities in the Geosciences (CIELO-G) is a program provided by UTEP.
Engaging communities outdoors through CIELO-G program will improve the environmental literacy of the geosciences and community connection to the outdoors and nature through discovery-based learning among. Through immersive, hands-on field trips coupled with educational booths and school presentations, allows participants to experience earth sciences happening live.
CIELO-G & Frontera work hand in hand to advance education, awareness, and community engagement of the geosciences within our community; by doing so, we hope to engage future generations of well-informed community members as well as future earth scientists.
Growing with Sara Farms
The Frontera Land Alliance (Frontera), an accredited-local non-profit land trust, has partnered, for several years, with a local 5 acre (non-certified) farm in the Socorro, TX called Growing with Sara Farm, L.L.C. The landowners, the farm manager along with Frontera have built a great partnership for educating volunteers on how to operate a farm and its value to the community.