Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens

The Nature Center includes grasslands, oak studded hillsides, mountains of volcanic origin, canyon springs, and seasonal wetland pools in the Chihuahuan Desert.

The surrounding Davis Mountains region is a sky island, with temperatures falling and annual precipitation tending to increase as the elevation rises from the desert floor.

The local flora includes specimen trees such as some of the largest madrone trees in Texas, majestic Southwestern chokeberries, and Tracey hawthornes; seventeen types of ferns living in clefts in the canyon walls; many succulents and cacti; bird species from the turkey vulture and wild turkeys to hummingbirds overwintering and other birds migrating, with the Montezuma quail, roadrunners, and orioles providing more variety and color during the year.

In addition, the Center launched the Chihuahuan Desert Field School in 2004, an educational program targeting 4th grade classes in Brewster, Jeff Davis, and Presidio counties.

The Institute also offers a Life-Long Learning Program featuring workshops, field trips, and lectures on topics related to the natural history of the region.