Texas Society for Ecological Restoration

Home
United States
San Antonio, TX
Texas Society for Ecological Restoration

Directions Website

TXSER promotes ecological restoration through education.

TXSER social media, newsletters and conferences keep researchers, landowners and educators up to date on the most recent trends and accomplishments in ecological restoration throughout Texas. The Texas Chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing connectivity between individuals engaged in ecologically sensitive repair and management of ecosystems. Texas SER is one of 14 chapters worldwide of the Society for Ecological Restoration International, which has members in 37 countries. Texas SER is made up of researchers, practitioners, growers, land managers and teachers from across the state. We have joined together to ensure the long-term survival of native and endemic ecotypes, and promote a sustainable human culture which can involve itself intelligently and productively with these systems. "The problem, then, is how to bring about a striving for harmony with a land, among a people many of whom have forgotten there is any such thing as land, among whom education and culture have become almost synonymous with landlessness." -- Aldo Leopold

09/25/2026

This past weekend, TXSER hosted a student-focused Big Bend Border Bioblitzin collaboration with Rio Bravo Restoration that attracted over 60 community scientists, conservation professionals, and students from around the state! We documented the diversity of species along the Texas-Mexico border in areas slated for road and vehicle barrier infrastructure development. There is a gap in our understanding of the distribution of flora and fauna in this region, and the data that we collected will help with restoration and/or rescue efforts.

TXSER board members Dr. Amy Concilio, Dr. Kelly Lyons, Jeff Renfrow, Brandon Belcher and Becky Woodward led the programming for the weekend, and lots more folks helped behind the scenes! We hosted data collection sessions in the mornings, and a career panel and student-professional mixer Saturday night. We also connected with locals working on the No Big Bend Wallcampaign to hear about their concerns. It was a productive weekend, the students learned a lot, and connections were formed and strengthened! Many of us are excited to reconnect at the TXSER conference Nov 5-7 in South Texas!

TXSER covered expenses for students to attend the event with help from Trinity University, St. Edward’s University, and many individual donors. Thanks so much to our sponsors! The expenses were greater than anticipated and we can still use more support! Please donate via Zeffy if you are able to do so and feel so inclined.

09/24/2026

Settling back into conference mode after another successful Big Bend BioBlitz and we’ve got great news! We’re extending EARLY BIRD until 10/8 🎉 Click the link in bio and register today!

09/05/2026

SPONSOR HIGHLIGHT 🌿
A huge thank you to The Nature Conservancy in Texas for sponsoring the 29th Annual Texas Society for Ecological Restoration Conference!

For 75 years, The Nature Conservancy has worked alongside communities, landowners, and partners to protect the lands and waters that sustain both people and wildlife. Through science-based conservation, habitat restoration, and innovative solutions, they're helping build a more resilient future for Texas and beyond.

We're honored to have The Nature Conservancy supporting this year's conference as we gather in McAllen under the theme Restoration as Community; Community as Restoration. Be sure to check out the presentations by their staff including but not limited to Jacqueline Ferrato, Brandon Belcher, and Charlotte Reemts.

Join us November 5–7, 2026, at Quinta Mazatlán to connect with restoration professionals, researchers, students, and land managers from across the state.
Thank you, The Nature Conservancy, for your continued leadership and commitment to ecological restoration! 🌱

Learn more at nature.org/texas and follow them on Facebook and Instagram

Photo Courtesy of Jacqueline Ferrato.

09/04/2026

Don't miss the third annual Plant Identification Contest at the 2026 TXSER Conference on Friday, November 6th, opening at 8 am! The contest will continue through the speaking sessions.

It will feature 25+ species from across Texas that are crucial for ecological restoration, including both desirable and invasive plants. The contest is open to people of all experience levels, and you can use either common or scientific names (scientific names will be preferred for ties). This should be a great learning experience for everyone!

This year, we'll have a dedicated collegiate competition for University teams, and it will also be open for public members. Prizes will be awarded to the top teams and individuals in both categories! This event is proudly sponsored by ARK Ecological Consulting.

To register a University team, please contact the contest organizer, Austin R. Kelly, at [email protected] or 254-477-3213.

08/20/2026

TXSER board members Amy Concilio and Becky Woodward made public comments yesterday at the Texas Parks & Wildlife Commissioners meeting about border wall infrastructure in the Big Bend region, citing concerns about biodiversity conservation of sensitive habitat in the Chihuahuan Desert ecoregion and the difficulty of restoring arid ecosystems.

TPWD owns and administers four preserves and wildlife management areas in the Big Bend region, totalling over 450,000 acres, which provide high quality habitat for a wide diversity of native Texas plants and animals. The CBP smart wall map shows proposed vehicle barriers, roads, and walls along the border through parts of these state properties.

There were over 100 speakers, including West Texas business owners, sheriffs, local government officials, past park employees, nonprofit advocates, lawyers, recreationists, archaeologists, astronomers, ecologists and other scientists. This is a special place that so many Texans care about deeply.❤️

Speakers had a unified message to the Commissioners: please use your authority to maintain border security without jeopardizing biodiversity, conservation, or rural livelihoods. The Commissioners listened attentively and patiently for more than 5 hours, and we are hopeful they will protect these special properties to the best of their ability.

In the meantime, we will keep documenting the diversity of the region in case there is a need for restoration. We will be hosting another group bioblitz in the Big Bend region the weekend of Sept 18-20. Registration link is in our bio if you are interested in joining!

08/19/2026

The 29th Annual Texas Society for Ecological Restoration Conference is coming to McAllen, TX, November 5–7 at beautiful Quinta Mazatlán!

This year’s theme “Restoration as Community; Community as Restoration” celebrates the people, partnerships, and communities that make ecological restoration possible across Texas and beyond.

Join restoration practitioners, scientists, students, land stewards, community partners, land managers, naturalists, and conservationists for three days of talks, networking, field trips, and workshops in the Rio Grande Valley.

✨ Registration is LIVE!
💚 Early-bird pricing through September 24.
🚨Don't miss out on the field trips! Space is limited.

You’ll have the option to visit Marinoff Nursery and restoration sites, Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, Tiny Forests, Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, Eidenburg Scenic Wetlands, and Laguna Atascosa Saline Prairie Restoration Site.

We’d love to see you in McAllen!

Register here: https://chapter.ser.org/texas/2025/05/13/homepage-feature/! Abstracts due September 11, 2026!🌳🦋

08/14/2026

Big Bend Borderlands BioBlitz Update

The Big Bend Borderlands are home to the largest expanse of protected desert in North America - and one of the least-documented landscapes on the continent. As border infrastructure construction begins across the region, the Big Bend Borderlands BioBlitz is racing to document its species and biodiversity.

Anyone with a smartphone can contribute observations to a shared scientific record of this remarkable place.

Learn more at bigbendbioblitz.org. Questions? Please message Rio Bravo Restoration.

— Texas Society for Ecological Restoration (TXSER)

P.S. We need more birders!🐦

08/11/2026

🌱 CONFERENCE FIELD TRIP: Marinoff Nursery & Restored Forest Sites
Alamo, TX | Thursday, Nov 5 | 9 am–12 pm

We’re excited to share the first of many incredible sites lined up for the 2026 TXSER Conference Field Trips! All field trips are just $10, but space is limited, so reserve your spot soon at the link at the end of this post.

See what it takes to restore one of North America’s most biodiverse ecosystems. 🌳🦋🐦

The Lower Rio Grande Valley’s native subtropical thornforest, also called tamaulipan thornscrub, provides habitat for more than 1200 plant species, 300 butterfly species, and 500 bird species, yet more than 90% of its native habitat has been lost over the past century.

For 25 years, American Forests, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and others have been working to restore this ecosystem, replanting 2+ million seedlings on national wildlife refuge lands.

Join us to explore three sites: Marinoff Nursery, a 20-year-old forest restoration site, and the Rio Restoration Community planting site, where 1,800 community volunteers have helped restore native habitat.

Support the project and learn more by following and visiting: American Forests Santa Ana & Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuges www.AmericanForests.org/RGV

TXSER Conference | Nov. 5–7, 2026 | McAllen, TX
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/txser-2026-29th-annual-conference-restoration-as-community-community-as-restoration

Photo Credit: Abel Riojas / American Forests

07/31/2026

SPONSOR HIGHLIGHT 🌾

A huge thank you to the Texas Native Seeds (TNS) for sponsoring the 29th Annual Texas Society for Ecological Restoration Conference!

Texas Native Seeds is a statewide program dedicated to developing locally adapted native seed sources that make restoration projects across Texas more successful. Through research, seed development, and partnerships with landowners, agencies, and industry, TNS helps restore native habitats, improve ecosystem resilience, and increase the availability of high-quality native seed for restoration efforts.

We're excited to welcome the Texas Native Seeds team to McAllen as we gather under this year's theme: Restoration as Community; Community as Restoration.

Join us November 5–7, 2026, at Quinta Mazatlán to learn from restoration practitioners and researchers working to strengthen ecosystems across Texas. Register here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/txser-2026-29th-annual-conference-restoration-as-community-community-as-restoration

Thank you, Texas Native Seeds, for your commitment to ecological restoration! 🌱

Follow Texas Native Seeds on Facebook and Instagram and visit their website here: https://www.ckwri.tamuk.edu/research-programs/texas-native-seeds-program-tns
See more

07/28/2026

SPONSOR HIGHLIGHT 🌿

Thank you to the College of Sciences at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley for sponsoring the 29th Annual Texas Society for Ecological Restoration Conference!

UTRGV is preparing the next generation of scientists and environmental leaders through outstanding education and hands-on research. We're excited to feature presentations from UTRGV students and faculty showcasing restoration and conservation work from South Texas and beyond.

Join us November 5–7, 2026, at Quinta Mazatlán in McAllen as we explore this year's theme: Restoration as Community; Community as Restoration.

Thank you, UTRGV College of Sciences, for supporting ecological restoration! 🌱

Learn more at www.utrgv.edu/cos/ and follow on social media: .cos facebook.com/utrgvcos

Address

555 Funston Pl
San Antonio, TX
78209

Website

http://chapter.ser.org/texas, https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/cu/VJ1WMFT/BioLinks

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Texas Society for Ecological Restoration posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Want your organization to be the top-listed non profit organization in San Antonio?