Dixon Water Foundation

Promoting healthy watersheds through sustainable land management

EVENTS

Restoring West Texas Streams: A collaborative workshop for low-tech watershed solutions.

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Restoring West Texas Streams: A collaborative workshop for low-tech watershed solutions.

October 22, 2025 in Marfa, Texas

Hosted by Rio Grande Joint Venture, Borderlands Research Institute & Dixon Water Foundation

Join us for a one-day workshop focused on Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration (LTPBR) — a practical, cost-effective approach to improving stream and watershed health using natural materials and simple techniques.

This workshop is designed for contractors, landowners, land managers, restoration practitioners, and the interested public interested in learning how to plan, build, and maintain low-tech structures like one-rock dams, brush weirs, and more.

Participants will:

Learn the principles behind LTPBR and its benefits for water retention, erosion control, and habitat restoration
Hear from experienced practitioners, researchers, and local landowners
Gain practical knowledge on sourcing materials, selecting appropriate sites, and construction techniques
Connect with a growing network of people working to restore and steward dryland streams across the region.
Visit two project sites along Alamito Creek to see in-stream structures in action!


Coffee and lunch provided.

Mixer to follow immediately after workshop!


Register Here

Sharpen Your Skills in Stockmanship at the Leo

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Time & Location

September 19 – 20, 2025

8:30 AM – 4:30 PM CST

Leo Ranch, Dixon Water Foundation

5190 Co Rd 398, Decatur, TX 76234, USA

About the event

Following our last workshop on an introduction to effective livestock handling, Cattle Up—led by Dawn Hnatow, Holistic Management International, and Dixon Water Foundation—are back with a follow-up event designed to deepen your understanding and skills.

Building on the philosophy and techniques of Bud and Eunice Williams, this follow-on workshop will offer next level insights and hands-on practice to help livestock producers further refine their livestock handling capabilities. 

One of their core beliefs is that when livestock is handled properly, animals will develop trust and respect (not fear) which translates into a wide variety of positive results including better weight gain, less sickness, easy gatherings, efficient corral work and happier handlers.

Comments from the April 2025 training: “This is one of the easiest  ways to improve your operation.”  “Dawn teaches in a way that makes sense!  I am so happy I took this course.”

We’ll have hands-on opportunities for cattle and sheep work.  Space is limited to 30 participants.

Don’t let the cost deter you from attending. We have partial scholarships available for this program!

Apply for a scholarship!

Lodging

Check out this hotel to stay near the event venue:

Fairfield Inn & Suites Decatur at Decatur Conference Center – With Pool

Thank you to our host and funder, the Dixon Water Foundation!

Your Presenter(s):

Dawn Hnatow is the owner and founder of Cattle Up Stockmanship. She was born into a ranching family in Canada. She has worked with livestock her entire life and spent numerous years under the mentorship of Bud Williams. Their many years together forever changed the trajectory of her life and she now spends her time passing on the wealth of knowledge she gained during those countless experiences.

Stockmanship: The Power of Clear & Effective Communication

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April 4, 2025, 9:00 AM MST – April 7, 2025, 5:00 PM MST

Leo Ranch, Dixon Water Foundation

5190 Co Rd 398, Decatur, TX 76234, USA

Following the philosophy of Bud and Eunice Williams, Cattle Up led by Dawn Hnatow, Holistic Management International, and Dixon Water Foundation, are hosting a unique workshop to help farmers and ranchers gain knowledge and hands-on experience in using the techniques taught by Bud and Eunice. Keeping livestock in a healthy mental state, with reduced stress in handling, translates into a variety of positive results including easier gathers, less sickness, improved weight gains, efficient corral work, and happier handlers.

https://www.holisticmanagement.org/programs/stockmanship%3A-the-power-of-clear-%26-effective-communication

View the Audubon Texas webinar (recording) with Dixon Water Foundation discussing Conservation Ranching

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A recording of the webinar can be found here

Join the discussion with Texas landowners on their experience in the Audubon Conservation Ranching program – Bird Friendly Webinar.

The majority of grassland birds – whose populations have declined by more than 50 percent in the last 50 years – inhabit privately owned land. Audubon Conservation Ranching works with voluntary landowners to stabilize the declining grassland bird populations.

Audubon Conservation Ranching staff and the Dixon Water Foundation from Texas will share how they strive to meet requirements centering on habitat management, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare to earn the Audubon bird-friendly land certification.

Nationwide, more than 100 ranches and nearly 3 million acres that have earned status as Audubon Certified bird-friendly land. Together we can protect the 60% of grasslands and prairie ecosystems in Texas. Learn more by joining in on the conversation.

When: Thursday, March 7th at 11:00AM

What: Bird Friendly Webinar – Audubon Conservation Ranching in Texas

Who: Speakers include:Casey Wade, President and CEO, Dixon Water FoundationPhilip Boyd, VP Science and Research, Dixon Water FoundationThomas Schroeder, Audubon Conservation Ranching Partnerships Manager, Audubon TexasAnita Hoskins, Senior Coordinator, Private Lands, Audubon Texas

UNT Environmental, Social, and Governance Conference October 13, 2023

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“Through its work as an interdisciplinary research center of excellence, the Advanced Environmental Research Institute (AERI) supports initiatives that address our region’s most pressing environmental issues. As the Dallas-Fort Worth region continues its unprecedented economic growth, AERI aims to deepen collaborations with industry and local partners to foster innovations and workforce training initiatives for a sustainable and resilient North Texas region.”

Dixon Water Foundation will be participating in a panel discussion. Programming also features “two keynote speakers, panels with industry and government leaders, industry networking, and a showcase of research initiatives. Don’t miss this chance to be an active participant in shaping the future of environmental sustainability!”.

For more information, please see the link below

https://aeri.unt.edu/news/esg-conference

April 2023 at Dixon Water Foundation’s Leo Unit: Regen Ag School: Integrating Holistic Management® into Your Ranch or Farm

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Don’t miss this rare opportunity at the award-winning Dixon Water Foundation Leo Ranch to gain comprehensive knowledge in Holistic Management® and create a livestock grazing plan that will help create more land health and financial success on your ranch or farm.

This school is for you if you’re interested in farming, ranching, land conservation, or urban agriculture and want to improve your decision-making, profitability, water use, and soil health. Large- and small-scale producers are all invited! Visit the link below for more information.

Regen Ag School: Integrating Holistic Management® into Your Ranch or Farm

NORTH TEXAS OFFICE

4528 County Road 398
Decatur, TX 76234

WEST TEXAS OFFICE

P.O. Box 177
Marfa, TX 79843

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