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.
NEWS & EVENTS
View the Audubon Texas webinar (recording) with Dixon Water Foundation discussing Conservation Ranching
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
Support Producers Impacted by the Texas Panhandle Wildfires
Producers across the Texas Panhandle are experiencing the largest wildfire in Texas History.
The National Center for Appropriate Technology has had the privilege to work with outstanding farmers and ranchers across this region to regenerate the land, and now they have lost everything to the fires.
Please donate to any of the organizations below and or others across your networks.
Animal Supply Points through AgriLife To donate hay, feed, fencing materials, or equipment contact:
Marcus Preuniger at 806-669-8033 or 325-728-0477
Clyde Carruth Pavilion, 301 Bull Barn Drive, Pampa, TX 79065
Andy Holloway at 806-323-9114
Canadian AH&N Ranch Supply, 100 Hackberry St., Canadian, TX 79014
Hanna Conner at 806-878-4026 or 806-395-7005
Hutchinson County Airport, 1608 Airport Road, Borger, TX 79007
General questions about donations or relief efforts
– please call 806.354.5800
Other Donations Facebook Group: Panhandle Wildfire Recovery & Resources
Facebook Group: Panhandle Wildfire Recovery & Resources https://www.facebook.com/groups/379423138053394
First Baptist Canadian:http://fbccanadian.org/firehelp/
HF&C Feeds Lubbock:donations at store or via phone 806-866-9801
High Cotton Relief Fund:venmo @HighCottonRelief
Texas Department of Ag STAR Fund:https://www.texasagriculture.gov/Home/Production-Agriculture/Disaster-Assistance/STAR-Fund
Additional Texas AgriLife Resources:https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/2024-panhandle-wildfires/
If you are in crisis, please see attra.ncat.org/farmer-well-being/ for a list of crisis hotlines and additional resources.This information was compiled and shared by the National Center for Appropriate Technology.
Grassroots Carbon – Watershed Health Webinar with Dixon Water Foundation
Growing Sustainability: UNT Event shares collaborative ways to shape more resilient communities, businesses
The University of North Texas recently hosted a sustainability conference with student presenters and panelists from various industry sectors, including Dixon Water Foundation. Follow this link for a recap of the event:
UNT Environmental, Social, and Governance Conference October 13, 2023
“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
HMI Ranching for Resilience October 21, 2023 at Leo
HMI is holding a one-day Ranching for Resilience workshop October 21, 23 at Dixon’s Leo Unit near Decatur. For more information, please follow this link or see flier below http://www.holisticmanagement.org/dixon23
September Cross Timbers Grazing Lands Coalition Meeting at Dixon’s Leo Ranch.
New Report Testing Novel Phenology Monitoring Approach to Help Inform Graze Planning
In the spring and summer of 2022, Dixon Water Foundation helped sponsor and host a project that utilized novel imaging technology to track prairie plant phenology. Phenology is the study of cyclic and seasonal natural phenomena, especially in relation to climate, plant and animal life. As phenology relates to plants, it refers to flowering and seeding.
This project, conducted by the Bontanical Research Institute of Texas, explored the use of time-lapse cameras and community science protocols to observe and analyze pollinator abundance and plant phenology within various pastures of Dixon’s Leo Unit in North Texas. By understanding when and where pollinators and resources important to pollinators were on the landscape throughout the year and considering this information when making a grazing plan, ranchers may be able to promote conservation of essential species and native prairie functionality.
See the results of the pilot study in the report linked here.
Series of Educational Videos on the Water Cycle
The Presidio County Underground Water Conservation District recently created informative and educational videos about the water cycle. Dixon Water Foundation provided some financial support to cover the cost of creating these videos.
You can view the video above and visit their website for more information https://pcuwcd.org/ .
