Biodiversity Conservation at the Border

Preserving species communities and ecological resilience in the Rio Grande Valley

The Rio Grande Valley is a dynamic landscape with a long history of habitat conservation efforts, shaped by multiple networks that influence the system: networks of habitat patches linked by wildlife dispersal, networks of interactions between human stakeholder groups, and networks that link stakeholder groups to different landscape elements. We aim to understand the interplay between human actives that affect the landscape and the landscape's ability to support biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Essential to evaluating this model is a better understanding of what is happening on the ground in the RGV to conserve and restore habitats, and how different groups are involved in shaping these efforts. By creating synergies and finding common goals among stakeholders, we aim to generate a more highly resolved picture of the current status and trends of habitats and management practices.

Stakeholders and collaborators at our 2024 Conservation in South Texas conference

Mission Statement: The Rio Grande Valley, one of the most biodiverse regions in the U.S., is currently undergoing rapid change due to population growth, climate change, and anthropogenic modifications of the landscape. We aim to facilitate networking among interested groups and initiate collaborative discussions on assessment, management, and conservation of biodiversity at the border.