Respect Big Bend Coalition

Respect Big Bend Coalition was selected as a Texan by Nature Conservation Wrangler in 2020. During each Conservation Wrangler program cycle, Texan by Nature provides up to 6 projects with 12-18 months of tailored support in the form of program management, strategic planning, marketing messaging, metrics capture and analysis, professional content production, and partnership development – whatever is needed to accelerate the project. The information below includes results from the time the project was active in the Conservation Wrangler program. It may not reflect the most current program/project information. Please visit https://respectbigbend.org for the latest.

Project Summary

The greater Big Bend region of Texas is one of the most picturesque and biologically diverse areas in the world. Mountain ranges erupt from the desert floor and exceed elevations of 8,700 feet. This contrast in elevation significantly affects the diversity that occurs there. From desert grasslands to cienegas to ponderosa pine forests, this region of deep West Texas supports more than 2,000 plant species, 500 bird species, 170 reptile and amphibian species, and 120 mammal species. According to research conducted in 2017, the region’s ecosystems provide an estimated $1.61 billion in direct and indirect contributions to human well-being such as raw materials, climate regulation, ornamental services, and cultural services.[1]

This region is known for expansive private ranches, while also being home to the largest tracts of public land in Texas—represented by Big Bend National Park (801,000 acres), Big Bend Ranch State Park (311,000 acres), and Black Gap Wildlife Management area (103,000 acres). This area is inhabited by few people, with ~850,000 people across 31,748 square miles, only 80,000 of whom live outside of El Paso.

West Texas’ natural resources face unprecedented pressures, such as population growth, habitat fragmentation, invasive species, frequent droughts, and energy development. With all forms of energy (oil & gas, solar, wind) developing in the region, Respect Big Bend’s purpose is vital to the long term health of our people, communities, and natural resources.

Conceived and launched by the Austin-based Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation the
Respect Big Bend (RBB) Coalition brings together government, business, philanthropy, communities, academia, landowners, and industry leaders as part of a regional planning process focused on responsible energy development. RBB has the opportunity to approach energy development in a new way, through a more thoughtful and deliberate approach to managing all of the region’s resources.

Project Mission

The mission of the RBB is to inspire and empower all stakeholders to conserve the unique resources and protect the iconic communities of the Greater Big Bend Region of Texas while developing energy responsibly. The goals of RBB are to educate, inform, and provide resources to all stakeholders, develop a robust conservation plan, and garner support and acceptance of the plan.

Project Impact

$1.61 billion provided in direct and indirect benefits to human well-being
Comprehensive conservation and responsible energy development plan for 31,748 square miles
Increased stewardship of 2,000 plant species, 500 bird species, 170 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 120 species of mammals
Data-based resources for over 80,000 Texans to make informed energy development decisions

Partners

Adamantine Energy, Averitt & Associates, Borderlands Research Institute, Bureau of Economic Geology at the University of Texas, Duke University, Environmental Defense Fund, Hudson Pacific, IC2 Institute at the University of Texas, Texas Agricultural Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, and University of Texas School of Law.

Funders

Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation (founding funder), Permian Basin Area Foundation, Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation, The Meadows Foundation, and Still Water Foundation.

Projects Needs

Respect Big Bend was selected for Texan by Nature Conservation Wrangler based on the project’s positive impact to people, prosperity, and natural resources. Through the program, Texan by Nature is working with Respect Big Bend to address the following needs:

Industry partners to join RBB’s efforts, provide expertise and guidance on the conservation plan, and to ultimately adopt the conservation plan
Community involvement to support RBB’s efforts, in addition to providing feedback, sharing lessons learned, and sharing best practices in conservation
Media visibility to bring awareness to RBB’s collaborative efforts and responsible energy development opportunities

Texan by Nature’s Vision and Support

Texan by Nature is working with RBB to bring a broader awareness to the need for collaborative conservation, in addition to highlighting Respect Big Bend as an effective model that could be replicated across Texas and beyond. TxN is working with RBB to increase community and industry support, increase media visibility and public awareness, share best practices for landowners and industry, help develop impact case studies, and more.

Contact Taylor Keys at taylor@texanbynature.org & 210-232-4191 if you can provide resources and/or connections, are interesting in partnering, or would like to learn more.