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CDRI Desert NewsFlash
September 2025
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"Surgei" was seen surveying his surroundings in the Native Grasses Exhibit. This is a Striped Whipsnake (Masticophis taeniatus). They periscope like this in grassy areas to better spot predators or prey. Photo shared by Mady Kitchens.
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Thank You for a Fantastic
BBQ & Auction Fundraiser!
The BBQ & Auction fundraiser is now behind us with yet another CDRI event earning its place in the record books! We can still feel that warm afterglow of good feelings from what one of our long-time supporters called “the best party of the year!”
Thank you to everyone who attended the BBQ & Auction, and who donated art and vacation getaways for the auction. Thank you to the volunteers who cheerfully joined us to set up for the event (and to take it down afterward), and to the staff who worked in the background, picking up the loose ends and helping all along the way.
With more than 250 guests, music by Rick and Tony of “A Few Too Many,” auctioneer Martin Stringer who brought his unique style of friendly West Texas humor, a well-stocked beverage station, and Sanchez BBQ catering the event, and topping dinner off with homemade peach cobbler and ice cream from The Caboose, it had to be a success!
We hope you enjoy a recap of the event in the photos below.
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"How much for the cowboy?" was called out by one of the bidders. (All in good fun, of course.)
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Waiting to present the next auction item.
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Auctioneer, Martin Stringer.
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Ivy Whitener was our very capable bartender.
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Photos were provided by Annette Carter and Lisa Gordon.
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Thank you to the wonderfully supportive area businesses that donated to the BBQ & Auction. They include Cactus Liquors, Glazers Beer and Beverage, Lowe's Market, and Maverick Bank. Thank you also to the Fort Davis Chamber of Commerce for providing tables and chairs.
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What is the Educational “Paddle Raise?”
Since 2017, the Educational Paddle Raise at the end of the Live Auction has been the highlight of the BBQ & Auction fundraiser. Many attendees eagerly wait through the entire Live Auction to contribute to the “Paddle Raise.”
The Paddle Raise is always a fun event filled with surprises. This year, we experienced our biggest surprise yet with a single donation of $100,000 from Judy Vetter, which brought hugs, tears, and a standing ovation for Judy. We are currently working out the details of how these funds will be allocated. We’ll update everyone as soon as we have a concrete plan. But for now, we owe an enormous thank you to Judy!
The additional operational funding we received from other generous donors from the Education Paddle Raise brought in $37,000. Those funds will be used to cover the annual cost of producing our educational programs, which is approximately $80,000. Additional funding, which helps us meet our budget, has been provided throughout the year by generous individuals through donor-advised funds, Qualified Charitable Distributions from IRA account holders, and grants from private charitable foundations.
Here’s how we’re helping children.
Education is a core aspect of CDRI’s mission, and we are committed to inspiring children to explore science and the natural world in a fun, exciting, and meaningful way. Based on industry data and research, we believe that children who develop a love for learning, particularly about nature, will become the next generation of naturalists and conservationists.
We offer meaningful, age-appropriate lessons in all of our half-day programs, along with impressive equipment that models scientific concepts and terminology expected of children at each grade level. Our programs engage children in science-based, outdoor learning experiences. We utilize innovative approaches to promote understanding and compassion for the natural world, which in turn fosters inquiry, curiosity, and a lifelong passion for learning.
All our educational programs, for both children and adults, are offered free of charge. We have each of you who has donated to the Education Paddle Raise to thank for the success of these programs.
Thank you!
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The Roger Conant Distinguished Guest Lecture to feature an intriguing talk about desert frogs and toads!
Please join us on Thursday, October 9, as we welcome Dr. Kerry Griffis-Kyle, Associate Professor, Natural Resources Management at Texas Tech University, as CDRI’s guest lecturer for the Roger Conant Distinguished Guest Lecture program.
Dr. Griffis-Kyle has conducted extensive studies on desert toads and frogs, with her research focused on biodiversity and conservation in arid and semi-arid regions. She specifically examines how human-created environmental issues impact wildlife, wetlands, and species that depend on wetlands, as well as other sensitive natural resources.
Please save the date for what promises to be an enlightening evening.
Date: Thursday, October 9
Time: 7:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:30)
Place: The Crowley Theater, Marfa, Texas
Admission: Free
Beverages and hors d'oeuvres will be served.
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CDRI's Educational Programs, “The Earth Rocks!” and “Herps Day” are Coming in October!
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Area 4th and 5th-grade teachers are encouraged to sign up now to reserve their place at “The Earth Rocks!” and “Herps Day.”
The Earth Rocks (5th grade) Wednesday and Thursday, October 1 & 2
Herps Day (4th grade) Wednesday and Thursday, October 22 & 23
Choose between two sessions, 9:30-11:30 and 12:00-2:00.
Please contact visitorservices@cdri.org for details and to reserve your space for your students for one of the best half-day educational experiences in Texas.
Call for Volunteers. We rely heavily on volunteers for each of these programs. The programs are thoroughly researched and planned, and each volunteer will have lesson plans and comprehensive background information for their Learning Station. We need a minimum of 12 volunteers for each program, each day. Please contact programs@cdri.org if you can help. We'll provide lunch and a guaranty of a good time. Thank you!
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New plant species added to the Pollinator Garden
We’ve added two new plant species to the Pollinator Garden! Amsonia tharpii (Tharp’s bluestar) and Amsonia longiflora (Tubular bluestar) are the recent additions.
Amsonia longiflora is found in New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas, while Amsonia tharpii is found only in Eddy County, New Mexico, and a scant area of Pecos County, Texas. The scarcity of Amsonia tharpii has led to its inclusion on the endangered species list in New Mexico. The species is endangered due to climate change, which has led to extreme heat and drought conditions, as well as the destruction of its native habitat by oil and gas development.
Cristina Salvador, Director of Science and Conservation, at the Santa Fe Botanical Garden contacted us about the plants needing a new home. Both species had been part of a multi-year-long study by the Chicago Botanic Garden. At the conclusion of the project, researchers who needed to find homes for the plants reached out to researchers in New Mexico, who then contacted CDRI. We hope to have a thriving community of both species by next spring.
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Above left: Amsonia tharpii (Tharp's bluestar). Above right: Amsonia longiflora (Tubular bluestar).
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Amsonia longiflora (Tubular bluestar). The photos of Amsonia in bloom are by Jim Fissel.
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Both species are perennials. They’re early spring bloomers, producing a pale whitish-blue flower. Their natural habitat is at approximately 3100-3500 ft. elevation, in desert scrublands with sandy soils, rocky limestone soils, and gypsum hills.
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Visiting Schools and Groups
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Marfa Bird Club with Tiffany Kersten,
The birder who broke the Lower 48 State Big Year Record
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The Bluebonnet Miata Club
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Tierra Grande Master Naturalists - 2025 New Class
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Post Oak School - Houston, Texas
Fifty-two students and teachers hiked the trails over a three-day period. Hoot Baez led the hikes.
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Texas is globally important for birds. Approximately 1 of every 3 migratoring through the U.S. in spring, and 1 of every 4 birds migrating through the U.S. in the fall, or nearly two billion birds, pass through Texas.
The majority of migrating North American birds travel at night! Unfortunately, artificial light emanating from cities and other densely populated areas can disorient birds, leaving them confused and vulnerable to urban threats like collision with buildings. In fact, between one hundred million and one billion birds die every year in collisions with manmade structures.
Lights Out, Texas! is a campaign of education, awareness, and action that focuses on protecting the billions of migratory birds traveling through Texas.
Fall Migration
* Full migration: August 15 - November 30
*Peak migration: September 5 - October 29
Lighting Guidelines for Everyone
Turn off all non-essential lights from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. each night during migration season.
Do not use landscape lighting to light up trees or gardens where birds may be resting.
Close blinds at night to reduce the amount of light being emitted from windows.
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| From the Team at
“The Best Rural Nature Center &
Botanical Gardens in Texas,”
We Wish You Happy Trails!
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Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute, P.O. Box 905, Fort Davis, TX 79734
432.364.2499
www.cdri.org
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