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Frontera Land Alliance
Frontera Land Alliance
General Information
General Information
Land trusts offer a solution for land conservation that does not rely on government funding to help protect the land.
Land trusts conserve natural areas, working farms and ranches by negotiating voluntary agreements with property owners to leave their land undeveloped.
There are over 30 land trusts in Texas that have helped to conserve over 1.6 million acres of farms, wetlands, deserts, mountains, forests, watersheds, and coastlines.
Land trusts conserve Texas’s special lands and waters by permanently protecting them from development. Land trusts frequently have missions designed to ensure that every Texan has access to clean water and the opportunity to be connected to the state’s natural and cultural heritage.
Conserving land carries with it many long-lasting benefits for our state. By preventing more land from being paved over by asphalt or concrete, we are ensuring that more of our precious rainfall water will soak into the ground and into our aquifers, thereby replenishing the water supply. And conserving land protects habitat for iconic Texas wildlife.
Land trusts bring people together to make commitments that can change communities.
Together we can ensure that the Texas landscape – rich in history, natural resources, breathtaking views and recreational opportunities – can be left intact for all of us today and for future generations.
-feel free to CONTACT US BY EMAIL » for requests of guest speaker presentations or about custom events-
Resources
Resources
Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition
Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition
General Information
General Information
The Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition was formed in 1978 and played a central role in the events that led to the establishment of Franklin Mountains State Park in 1979. The Coalition consists of organizations and individuals united in their concern for the Franklins in Texas and New Mexico and dedicated to:
preserving the scenic beauty and wilderness character of the Mountains;
protecting the plant and animal resources of the Mountains and preserving the whole range as an intact ecosystem;
stimulating appreciation of the natural values of the Mountains and promoting understanding of their biological, cultural and geological features; and
encouraging recreational, scientific and educational uses of the Mountains consistent with preserving their scenic beauty and wilderness character.
Ongoing Issues and Efforts
Ongoing Issues and Efforts
Save Our Sierras
Save Our Sierras
Save Our Sierras (SOS) is a committee of the Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition. SOS is an organization comprised totally of volunteers who are dedicated to the preservation of the Franklin Mountains. Our primary goal is to limit the exploitation of the Franklin Mountains as well as to ensure any future development projects are implemented in an environmentally and ecologically responsible manner, in order to maintain the beauty and grandeur of these wonderful landmarks for the enjoyment of current and future generations of El Pasoans.
Castner Update
Castner Update
The Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition, partnering with The Frontera Land Alliance, Congressman Beto O’Rourke, the El Paso Community Foundation and an army of volunteers worked diligently in 2016 to preserve Castner Range as a National Monument. Over 35,000 letters and artwork supporting Castner’s preservation were created. Local, county and state agencies proclaimed their backing of the effort. Opinion/editorials appeared in local, state, and national publications urging that Castner become a Monument.
Resources
Resources
Franklin Mountains State Park
Franklin Mountains State Park
General Information
General Information
The Franklin Mountains provided most of the basic necessities of life for early people here. Today, the mountains meet a different human need – our need for time in nature. Come explore these high-desert mountains, just 15 minutes from El Paso.
Source: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/franklin-mountains
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
Sun. July 5th 2026
Lantern-Lit Mine Tour
8am
Join a park ranger turned turn-of-the-century guide on a historical exploration of an old mine shaft in the Franklin's.
Reservation required by calling the park's office at 915 444 9121 or come by the visitor center between 8am and 4pm. Due to the small size of the mine, only 14 participants are allowed.
Meet at: West Cottonwood Spring Trailhead.
Bring: Water, snacks, hiking boots/shoes, comfortable clothes. If you are sensitive to oil lamp smoke, a face mask is highly encouraged.
Fees: $8 per adult 13 years of age and older, $3 for Texas State Park Pass holders, and $1 for children between the ages of 5 and 12. Payment can be made a the visitor center as you enter Tom Mays.Prospect Mine Tour
10:30am
Join us for a hike-tour to the copper prospecting mine.
Reservation required by calling the park's office at 915 444 9121 or come by the visitor center between 8am and 4pm. Due to the small size of the mine, only 14 participants are allowed.
Meet at: West Cottonwood Spring Trailhead.
Bring: Water, snacks, hiking boots/shoes, comfortable clothes.
Fees: $8 per adult 13 years of age and older, $3 for Texas State Park Pass holders, and $1 for children between the ages of 5 and 12. Payment can be made a the visitor center as you enter Tom Mays.
Sat. July 11th 2026
Women Hike to Aztec Cave
7am
This hike is open to women of all experience le els who are excited to spend more quality time outdoors.
This is a moderate 1.9 mile hike; we will hike the new trail which forks of the old trail to the right as you begin the hike. This is a lovely meandering trail with several great lookout point and photo ops along the way. We will explore the geology and history of the cave before heading back down.
Meet at: Aztec Caves parking area.
Bring: water, snacks, hiking boots/shoes, comfortable clothes.
Fees: $5 per adult 13 years of age and older, $0 for Texas State Park Pass holders and children 12 and under.
Reservation required; to reserve your spot call the office at 915 444 9121.
Fri. July 17th 2026
Night Critter Crawl
7:45pm
Join us for an evening hike to explore the night life at Franklin Mountains State Park.
This is an easy walk mostly on the road of about 3 miles. Sorry; no children 5 and under or pets allowed on this one.
Meet at: park's entrance gate.
Bring: water, snacks, hiking boots/shoes, comfortable clothes; flashlight with a red, green, black, or UV light setting.
Fees: $8 per adult 13 years of age and older, $3 for Texas State Park Pass holders, and $1 for children between the ages of 5 and 12. Payment can be made a the visitor center as you enter Tom Mays.
Reservation required; to reserve your spot call the office at 915 444 9121. Only 15 participants are allowed.
Fri. July 24th 2026
Moths! The Night Shift Crew
7:45pm
Join us and find out how amazing these often overlooked insects are!
We'll do a short talk about these incredible critters and after we will be able to observe some up close.
Meet at: Park's entrance gate.
Bring: water, snacks, hiking boots/shoes, comfortable clothes (dark color preferably so that the moths don't land on you), flashlight.Fees: $5 per adult 13 years of age and older, $0 for Texas State Park Pass holders and children 12 and under.
Sun. July 26th 2026
Last Sunday Hike at Agave Loop
7:30am
Join us on a guided hike through the Western foothills of the Franklin Mountains.
This hike is a moderate 1.5 miles. It begins with a gradual incline through a well maintained switchback trail to wide open vistas to the west. The return trip travels down over scree, or rubble, proving to be challenging for some.
Meet at: West Cottonwood Spring Trailhead.
Bring: water, snacks, hiking boots/shoes, comfortable clothes.
Fees: $5 per adult 13 years of age and older, $0 for Texas State Park Pass holders and children 12 and under.
Reservation required; to reserve your spot call the office at 915 444 9121.
Plan Your Visit
Plan Your Visit
Visiting the park and not sure where to start? Check out the trail recommendations!
The park offers over 100 miles of trails to explore. No matter if this is your first time or you are an experienced hiker, there is at least one trail for you.
How much time do you have?
Resources
Resources
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