Borderlands Research Institute

Borderlands Research Institute Helping conserve the natural resources of the Chihuahuan Desert Borderlands.

Formed in 2007, the goal of the Borderlands Research Institute is to provide land managers with the most current scientific information on the management of the natural resources of the area. To meet this goal, we plan and conduct research investigations on various aspects of our natural world. Ultimately, we hope to provide science-based management alternatives to land owners and managers to enha

nce their ability to serve as land stewards. Social Media Comment Policy
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BRI AND DIXON WATER FOUNDATIONBRI has been doing riparian habitat work on the Mimms Ranch since 2025. With the assistan...
06/03/2026

BRI AND DIXON WATER FOUNDATION
BRI has been doing riparian habitat work on the Mimms Ranch since 2025. With the assistance from the Alamito Creek Conservation Initiative (ACCI) and the Dixon Water Foundation, we have constructed 10 media lunas and 12 brush weirs (wooden filter dams). The logger units were placed in 2025 and will remain until 2027.

WHAT ARE LOGGER UNITS?
Recording devices collect data on the soil temperature (placed in the top 2 inches) and the amount of water in the soil (placed 6 inches deep) at different moments in time. The loggers take readings at different times of the day over the course of the year. This allows us to record long-term data while also looking into daily fluctuations. With water being the most limiting resource in arid environments, understanding how much water is in the soil and how long it stays there is imperative to making land stewardship decisions and influences how the landscape can be utilized.

WHAT ARE WOODEN FILTER DAMS?
Wooden filter dams are built using wooden posts and woven with tree branches. We placed these structures on the northwest corner of the ranch in the south fork of Alamito Creek. These structures are installed across the channel to help stabilize the streambanks and prevent further incision, while improving water availability. These structures are intended to slow and spread water onto the floodplains.

WHAT ARE MEDIA LUNAS/HALF MOONS?
Media lunas are crescent-shaped rock structures built to intercept “sheet flow”, a slow-moving and shallow form of runoff that causes a large amount of surface erosion to occur across the upland landscapes. By catching this sheet flow, the media lunas capture sediment and increase water infiltration.

BRI graduate students Emilie, Caitlin, Hayley, Ty, and Andrew recently participated in a Policy Bootcamp hosted by CKWRI...
06/02/2026

BRI graduate students Emilie, Caitlin, Hayley, Ty, and Andrew recently participated in a Policy Bootcamp hosted by CKWRI at Texas A&M University–Kingsville and the Boone and Crockett Club.

During the workshop, students explored key aspects of natural resource policy and management, from understanding how legislation works to gaining real-world insight by sitting in on portions of a Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting in Austin.

This hands-on experience provided valuable perspective on how science, policy, and decision-making intersect to shape conservation efforts across the state.

We’re proud of these students for engaging in opportunities that strengthen their impact as future natural resource professionals! 👏

We’re proud to share that Will Quarles and Hayley Schultz have been selected to participate in a waterfowl banding opera...
06/01/2026

We’re proud to share that Will Quarles and Hayley Schultz have been selected to participate in a waterfowl banding operation through Delta Waterfowl at Delta Marsh in Manitoba, Canada.

This important conservation effort brings together university students from across the country to support hands-on research and wildlife management. We’re excited to see Will and Hayley represent BRI while contributing to meaningful work in waterfowl conservation.

Stay tuned for updates from the field!

05/30/2026

Montezuma quail are an avian conundrum. They’re among the most visually stunning birds in Far West Texas: The males have sky-blue bills, black-and-white striped faces and chestnut bellies covered in white polka dots. But they’re also masters of concealment. You could spend a lifetime here and ne...

05/28/2026

The future of conservation depends on critical thinking.

Dr. Maureen Frank discusses how she challenges students to ask better questions and tackle complex issues head-on.

That mindset is exactly what earned her recognition as a leader in wildlife education.

05/27/2026

🎓 When you’re choosing a master’s program, the people make all the difference. Here’s why this Natural Resource Management student found a place at BRI.

So thrilled with this Big Bend Sentinel opinion piece by Trey Gerfers!https://bigbendsentinel.com/2026/05/20/our-water-m...
05/22/2026

So thrilled with this Big Bend Sentinel opinion piece by Trey Gerfers!

https://bigbendsentinel.com/2026/05/20/our-water-matters-the-meadows-foundation-prioritizing-water-as-a-critical-need/

Here's a little excerpt: "The university’s highly successful Borderlands Research Institute proved to The Meadows Foundation that 'Sul Ross was a natural home for the idea.' As the conversations unfolded 'around field research, water workforce, and the Chihuahuan Desert’s unique geography … [w]e knew we had captured lightning in a bottle.'”

Sul Ross State University Borderlands Research Institute The Meadows Foundation

05/21/2026

There’s no classroom quite like West Texas.

Dr. Maureen Frank reflects on how the region itself becomes a teacher, shaping perspective, resilience, and understanding.

It’s a unique environment that defines her approach and her impact.

What is “brush management” and why does it matter? People often think of clearing land, but it’s more complex than that....
05/19/2026

What is “brush management” and why does it matter? People often think of clearing land, but it’s more complex than that.

Removing all brush isn’t always the goal—balance is. Many species rely on shrubs for food and cover, so land managers carefully plan treatments to support both wildlife and rangeland health.

Brush management is the strategic control of woody plants like mesquite, creosote, and juniper to achieve certain landowner goals. In the Trans-Pecos, too much brush can:
• Reduce water availability
• Limit the growth of other desired plants
• Impact wildlife habitat

At BRI, researchers study how these practices affect species like quail, mule deer, and pollinators.

Address

PO Box C-21
Alpine, TX
79832

Telephone

+14328378225

Website

https://bri.sulross.edu/

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