Promoting healthy watersheds through sustainable land management
Dixon Water Foundation will be participating in a webinar to discuss how bale grazing has been used on Foundation ranches to help recover soil health on abandoned oil and gas pads and in areas impacted by drought.
Please follow the link above for more information .
“Water in the Desert returns to Alpine, February 11-13, 2026! Join the ongoing conversation with landowners, scientists, policy makers and community members as we dive deep into the complex and pressing water issues of our desert region.
As a direct result of the inaugural Water in the Desert conference held in early 2024, a new water research center is being launched at Sul Ross State University. At the February 2026 conference, strategic priorities for science and research will be presented. The center is being established to support local groundwater districts, landowners, counties, cities and communities as we seek science-based solutions for sustainable water together.”
Register here or visit link below
🦉 Calling all wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists!
Join us for Alpine Wildlife Weekend, January 30-February 1, 2026 in Alpine, Texas—a weekend dedicated to Texas wildlife research, education, and conservation.
Featured Programming:
Keynote presentations and panel discussions
Research presentations from Borderlands Research Institute graduate students
Owl walks and guided habitat hikes led by wildlife biologists
BONUS: Enter to win 3 nights at the Holland Hotel by signing up for the Visit Alpine newsletter. Winner announced January 9, 2026.
This year’s spotlight: OWLS in the Davis Mountains
Perfect for researchers, educators, birders, and anyone passionate about Texas wildlife conservation.
Details: visitalpinetx.com/wildlife
#WildlifeConservation #TexasWildlife #AlpineTexas #WildlifeResearch #ConservationEducation
A one-day seminar assisting family ranchers, farmers, and rural landowners to begin developing a transition and succession plan to preserve their legacy.
Presented by the Cross Timbers Grazing Coalition Chapter, Texas GLC
Sponsored by Capital Farm Credit
https://www.holisticmanagement.org/programs/cross-timbers-grazing
Ready to take your land stewardship to the next level? Whether you’re a seasoned grazier or just stepping into regenerative agriculture, this workshop is your gateway to smarter grazing and resilient ecosystems.
September 30 – October 4, 2025
9:00 AM – 4:30 PM each day, ends at noon on October 4th
Leo Ranch, Dixon Water Foundation
5190 Co Rd 398, Decatur, TX 76234, USA
Bring your boots, your questions, and your passion for the land. Let’s rethink grazing from the ground up
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!
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
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!
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!
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.
The ACCI partnership with Borderlands Research Institute and Rio Grande Joint Venture has recently launched a website.
We’ll be posting videos and more information regarding the work that has been going on this year in the coming months. For now, please visit the ACCI website for more information and resources.
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.
Last fall, a new initiative was announced that focuses on watershed enhancement with landowner participation. Dixon Water Foundation and the Horizon Foundation help in supporting this initiative which is coordinated by the Borderlands Research Institute at Sul Ross State University with Conservation Delivery provided by the Rio Grande Joint Venture. For more info, please visit the link below to be taken to the press release about the initiative.
