Great Weekend for Celebration of Our Mountain Events

What a line up of Celebration of Our Mountains events this weekend. There is literally something for everyone.

Mexican Free Tail Bats

Tonight watch a flight of bats and learn more about these wonderful creatures from our Urban Biologist, Lois Balin. 

White-faced Ibis. Picture by Barry Zimmer at Fort Hancock, Texas 2012

Tomorrow morning go with the El Paso Trans Pecos Audubon Society to see migrant birds at the reservoirs of McNary, Ft. Hancock and Tornillo. 

Also tomorrow take a hike in beautiful Hitt Canyon in the Franklin Mountains led by the Dean of Hiking, Carol Brown.

Discover the natural wonders of our desert, listen to live entertainment and visit informative booths at the family-friendly 12th Annual Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta sponsored by the Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition, City of El Paso Parks and Recreation, the El Paso Zoo, El Paso Water and Texas Parks and Wildlife.  

Visit the Last Desert Grasslands, the Otero Mesa 9/17. Join the Southwest Environmental Center on this Back by Noon outing to explore the grasslands, wildlife and petroglyphs of New Mexico’s Otero Mesa. The destination is Alamo Mountain, one of the isolated peaks of the Cornudas Mountains that rise dramatically from the surrounding grasslands. Learn about the threats to this extraordinary landscape and efforts by conservationists to protect it. Reservation required. Call 575-522-5552 for more information. Trip leaves from Las Cruces at 8 AM.

There's another Beginners Hike on Monday.

Finally, plan now to attend the 16th Annual Artistic Celebration of Our Mountains at Ardovinos Desert Crossing. This event has been a mainstay of COM. You know that it is Celebration of Our Mountains time when Robert Ardovino has the Artistic Celebration.

You can't do it all. But, as I said, there is something for everyone this weekend. So, hike our mountains, explore our desert, discover our wetlands and see our stars.

12th Annual Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta this Saturday

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For more information, go to chihuahuandesert.org and celebmtns.org.

11th Annual Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta Saturday, September 19th, 9 AM to 3 PM

The 11th Annual Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta kicks off tomorrow at 9 AM and ends at 3 PM. It is held at the Tom Mays Unit of the Franklin Mountains State Park. The event is sponsored by Texas Parks and Wildlife with help from volunteers from the Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition. Many think of it as the start of Celebration of Our Mountains.

For a full schedule, visit Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition.

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Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta Schedule

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Sign-Up for Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta

7th Annual Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta, September 17, 2011

The 7^th Annual Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta is sponsored by Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Franklin Mountains State Park at the Tom Mays Unit. Park staff, members of the Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition, and other environmental education groups will be on hand to offer free demonstrations, guided tours, guest speakers and informational booths designed to introduce the curious to the wonders of our fascinating desert.

For more information on how to have a free information or demonstration booth contact Diane Perez at deperez@epwu.org

For more information on how to be a vendor selling gift items, crafts, artwork or food contact Dr. Cesar Mendez at Cesar.Mendez@tpwd.state.tx.us

For more information on how to be a speaker contact Rick LoBello at rickllobello@cs.com

For more information on how to sign up to be an entertainer contact Veronica Myers at myersvx@elpasotexas.gov

1,000 Visitors Attend the Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta

Cesar Mendez discusses wildlife habitat with a visitor

Last Saturday's Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta was a bigger success than last year judging by the attendance at the State Park that day. Park Superintendent Cesar Mendez said, “The attendance was close to 1000 persons including visitors, exhibitors, volunteers, and park staff. Some people only attended the Chili Cook-off.”

A number of organizations including the Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition, Sierra Club, Master Naturalists and Native Plant Society offered educational public displays.

Master Naturalists teach children how to make flour from mesquite seeds

Please Support Your Franklin Mountains State Park

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With the annual Celebration of Our Mountains starting soon with the Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta at Tom Mays Park coming up on Saturday, September 19th, from 9 to 3, here's a way to contribute to your State Park here in El Paso:

PLEASE DONATE your good, clean, used hiking/camping/biking equipment and clothing to support your Franklin Mountains State Park.

Park volunteers will sell the items at the Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta at Tom Mays Park on September 19^th from 9 to 3. Proceeds will go in the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation’s Lone Star Legacy endowment fund to be used exclusively for the programs and conservation of our beautiful Franklin Mountains State Park.

If you have items to donate, please call Jim Tolbert at 915-613-4902 (leave your name and number if nobody answers); or email him at jimhtolbert@elp.rr.com.

If you would like to make a cash donation, please write a check to “Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation” and in the memo put “Franklin Mountains State Park”. Please mail your check to: Franklin Mountains State Park/1331 McKelligon Canyon Rd/El Paso, TX 79930-2649.