Chihuahuan Desert RC&D Success Stories

Community Matching Grant Program

Money was provided by the Chihuahuan Desert RC&D to the Big Bend Youth Club toward purchase of computer equipment and DSL computer hookup so that kids and parents will be able to have access to the internet, and for educational purposes.

Art Gonzales, Chihuahuan Desert RC&D Director, presents a check to Dell City EMS for purchase of defibrillator to be used on ambulance.

During the holiday period, the West Texas Food Bank offers a holiday box
which contains items that are helpful in preparing a holiday meal, i.e.,
pumpkin, cranberry, and turkey breast. 100 families will receive these
boxes, beginning with the elderly, single parents second, and
first-come-first serve with the balance. The benefits would be food
provisions for the needy and a general feeling of goodwill during the
holiday season.

Community Matching Program-Fort Davis Chamber of Commerce

Missoula is the largest touring children's theatre which produces a full
scale musical using 50 to 60 children from 4 different rural counties.
(Jeff Davis, Presidio, Reeves,& Brewster) The program is a way to
inspire our youth and unite our local rural areas while providing
education and training during their summer vacation.

Jody Donet, Volunteer for CDRC&D helps unload and
distribute refurbished Dell Printers to non-profits in the area. A
total of 206 printers were distributed to 33 organizations and schools
for a total market value of $23,570 throught the Gifts In Kind
International Organization.

Tigua Indian Hueco Tank Restoration Project-Check Dams

Check dams were constructed at six different locations along arroyos
that run through the project area to control gully erosion.

The dry fire hydrant program continues to grow! Terlingua ISD installed
a hydrant on school property to provide water in case of fire. Also we
recently received additional grant money from the Texas Forest Service
to construct 3 more hydrants in and around the Terlingua Estates area.
These tanks are accessible as a source of water for Volunteer Fire
Departments when needed.

10 students designed and implemented demonstration sites on campus
through hands-on landscaping projects. These students benefited from a
project-based learning environment. The students practiced leadership
skills through presentation, planning, and organizing these projects.
75 families will have the opportunity to purchase plants grown in the
greenhouse as well.

The CDRC&D Area received a $35,000.00 grant from the USDA's Natural Resource Conservation Service State Office, located in Temple, TX to assist the West Texas Food Bank with their new financial and
technology initiative. The WTFP hosted 2 seminars in El Paso and 2 in Alpine to teach partner agencies to assess and streamline the process of moving the approximate 6 million pounds of food through their warehouses
annually. A total of 30 people( 26 agencies) received the online ordering training equaling 15% of the 174 agencies connected with the
West Texas Food Bank. Our goal to increase the percentage of agency participation. This has resulted in 110,105 lbs. being distributed from 48 web orders. This project has leveraged a $5 to $1 return.

Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Hueco Mountains Restoration Project Brush Management-The Tigua Indian Tribe has applied a herbicide to control invading brush, reduce erosion, and defer grazing during the recovery period. All labor is being provided by the Tribe and community
service programs. This conservation practice involved ground application
of Tebuthiuron pellets (Spike 20P) over a 12-acre area of the total 30-acre project area to control creosote and tar bush, which have taken over the habitat.


	Community Matching Grant Program Money was provided by the Chihuahuan Desert RC&D to the Big Bend Youth Club toward purchase of computer equipment and DSL computer hookup so that kids and parents will be able to have access to the internet, and for educational purposes.

		Art Gonzales, Chihuahuan Desert RC&D Director, presents a check to Dell City EMS for purchase of defibrillator to be used on ambulance.

	During the holiday period, the West Texas Food Bank offers a holiday box which contains items that are helpful in preparing a holiday meal, i.e., pumpkin, cranberry, and turkey breast. 100 families will receive these boxes, beginning with the elderly, single parents second, and first-come-first serve with the balance. The benefits would be food provisions for the needy and a general feeling of goodwill during the holiday season.

	Community Matching Program-Fort Davis Chamber of Commerce Missoula is the largest touring children's theatre which produces a full scale musical using 50 to 60 children from 4 different rural counties. (Jeff Davis, Presidio, Reeves,& Brewster) The program is a way to inspire our youth and unite our local rural areas while providing education and training during their summer vacation.

	Jody Donet, Volunteer for CDRC&D helps unload and distribute refurbished Dell Printers to non-profits in the area. A total of 206 printers were distributed to 33 organizations and schools for a total market value of $23,570 throught the Gifts In Kind International Organization.

Tigua Indian Hueco Tank Restoration Project-Check Dams Check dams were constructed at six different locations along arroyos that run through the project area to control gully erosion.

	The dry fire hydrant program continues to grow! Terlingua ISD installed a hydrant on school property to provide water in case of fire. Also we recently received additional grant money from the Texas Forest Service to construct 3 more hydrants in and around the Terlingua Estates area. These tanks are accessible as a source of water for Volunteer Fire Departments when needed.

	10 students designed and implemented demonstration sites on campus through hands-on landscaping projects. These students benefited from a project-based learning environment. The students practiced leadership skills through presentation, planning, and organizing these projects. 75 families will have the opportunity to purchase plants grown in the greenhouse as well.

		The CDRC&D Area received a $35,000.00 grant from the USDA's Natural Resource Conservation Service State Office, located in Temple, TX to assist the West Texas Food Bank with their new financial and technology initiative. The WTFP hosted 2 seminars in El Paso and 2 in Alpine to teach partner agencies to assess and streamline the process of moving the approximate 6 million pounds of food through their warehouses annually. A total of 30 people( 26 agencies) received the online ordering training equaling 15% of the 174 agencies connected with the West Texas Food Bank. Our goal to increase the percentage of agency participation. This has resulted in 110,105 lbs. being distributed from 48 web orders. This project has leveraged a $5 to $1 return.

Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Hueco Mountains Restoration Project Brush Management-The Tigua Indian Tribe has applied a herbicide to control invading brush, reduce erosion, and defer grazing during the recovery period. All labor is being provided by the Tribe and community service programs. This conservation practice involved ground application of Tebuthiuron pellets (Spike 20P) over a 12-acre area of the total 30-acre project area to control creosote and tar bush, which have taken over the habitat.