Desert ciénagas — rare, groundwater-fed wetlands in arid landscapes — once supported rich ecosystems and sustained human communities for generations. Yet many of these systems were altered over the past century through ditch irrigation, channelization, and land use changes that disrupted natural water flow. In this webinar we’ll explore the story of one such ciénaga in Fort Davis, TX. It is located on a landscape that was farmed, diverted, and gradually dried, where even a shallow, hand-dug well reveals how close water once lay to the surface.

Robert Potts, rancher and decades-long conservation supporter, will discuss the different methods he has tried to restore both the in-stream channel (beaver dam analogs, for example) as well as upland interventions such as bale grazing, and biochar and compost additions around his ciénaga. Participants will gain insight into what it means to pursue restoration both in light of, and in spite of, limited water availability.

A central theme of this session will be “figuring out your context.” Successful restoration depends on understanding the ecological history, hydrology, and human influences that define a place. Through this lens, we’ll discuss practical strategies, constraints, and opportunities for restoring desert wetlands in a changing environment.

Whether you’re a land manager, restoration practitioner, student, or simply interested in arid landscapes, this webinar will offer a grounded perspective on bringing life back to water-limited ecosystems. This free webinar takes place from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Mountain Time.

Questions? Contact Eva Stricker, eva@quiviracoalition.org.

Check out the Soil Health Workbook or Rangeland Health and Planned Grazing technical guide for more information on the topics covered!

 

This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number NR227442XXXXG005 through NRCS. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.