Work Project

Texas Bighorn Society

 

 

Work Project 2024 – March 15 & 16

Franklin Mountain State Park, El Paso, TX 

The Texas Bighorn Society invites all members to our annual Work Project to participate in hands on conservation for desert bighorn sheep in Texas.

*** You must be a TBS member to take part in our work project***

 

CLICK HERE TO BECOME A MEMBER

 

Date:
March 15th and 16th, 2024

Where:
Franklin Mountain State Park – El Paso, TX

The Plan:
We will be building two, mountain-top water guzzlers beginning Friday morning. Please meet at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites El Paso North, 8725 Gateway South Blvd, El Paso, TX 79904, at daylight to grab a sack lunch and gather further instruction.  If you have any questions please text 321-525-6724.  Staging area inside Franklin Mountain State Park – Lat 31.928223° Lon -106.509248°.

What Do I Bring:
Bring some plumbing tools, digging tools, drill batteries and whatever else you think we might be able to use.

Accommodations:
Holiday Inn Express & Suites El Paso North, 8725 Gateway South Blvd, El Paso, TX 79904, (915) 304-4824. Discount rate is $112 single or $114 double, plus taxes and fees. To make reservations use code TEXAS BIGHORN MEETING by phone (915) 304-4824, online by clicking the Holiday Inn button above (must select dates to see discount), or simply e-mail crisy@texasbighornsociety.org with dates and room preference to be added to our rooming list. Discount rate is only available for March 13th -17th and deadline for the discount is February 28, 2024.

Clothing:
This is a remote desert area, and the possibilities of life-threatening injuries exist. Volunteers should be in good physical condition and comfortable hiking in rugged terrain. You must be able to hike down off the mountain if necessary. It is impossible to know what the weather will do. In years past we have had snow and we have had 90-degree heat. Come prepared- bring your hat, gloves, and sunscreen. Wear broken in hiking boots.

Food:
Lunch will be provided for Friday and Saturday available for pickup each morning at the Holiday Inn Express El Paso North, 8725 Gateway South Blvd, El Paso, TX 79904. Dinner will be provided at our annual membership meeting Friday night at the City of El Paso Arlington Park Shelter, 10350 Pasadena Cir., El Paso, TX 79924. We always need assistance with meal preparations, so if you would like to volunteer, please contact us at 806-745-7783 or e-mail crisy@texasbighornsociety.org.

Register:
We need to know if you are coming so that we may have an accurate headcount for meals. Register by calling 806-745-7783, texting 321-525-6724, or e-mailing crisy@texasbighornsociety.org. Deadline to register is March 1, 2024.

 

 

Work Projects – Bighorn Sheep Conservation

The founders, members, directors and officers of the Texas Bighorn Society believe in hard work. Unlike other conservation organizations, we ask our members to put their sweat AND money where their mouth is. Every year we host a Work Project where we ask all our members to gather in the Desert Mountains of West Texas and build or repair a guzzler (or two or three).

The guzzlers are a rain-water collection and storage system that gives the Bighorn Sheep (and other wildlife in the Chihuahuan Desert) an oasis high on the mountain. One good West Texas storm will fill the tanks, which can last for an entire season. We’ve worked closely with Texas Parks & Wildlife over the past 20 years to build and perfect these guzzlers, and so far, it seems to be doing the job. We’ve heard positive feedback from scientists and wildlife rangers that monitor the drinkers.

We invite you to Join TBS, roll up your sleeves, and participate in some hands-on conservation work. After a weekend on the mountain with this group, you’ll understand why this group is so important and so special to Texas.

Growing the Herd