Big Bend River Rangers
Big Bend River Rangers with Lucy Rede Franco Middle School teachers
Big Bend Conservation Alliance is working with high schools throughout the region on the Big Bend River Rangers. The program is designed to engage students in the environment, outdoor activities, and help preserve natural resources for future generations. Students hear from guest speakers about environmental science and take field trips to monitor the water quality of the Rio Grande and other locations in the Big Bend.
Big Bend River Rangers get to hear from experts. Layla Spurlock, the park ranger and interpreter at Big Bend Ranch State Park, joined everyone for a talk about how the river flows and its importance for our region.
As part of the program, students head out to the Rio Grande once a month to collect water samples from the mouth of Colorado Canyon in Big Bend Ranch State Park, about 40 miles downstream from Presidio.
Big Bend River Rangers testing water samples collected at Colorado Canyon in Big Bend Ranch State Park.
The program was originally created by the beloved Presidio High School teacher Patt Sims. The first year pilot program was hosted by Lucy Rede Franco Middle School in Presidio with support from Principal Rogelio Zubia, science teacher Danica Romanban, and former science teacher Belinda Dolino. Since the pilot, the program has been expanded to high schools in Presidio, Marfa, Alpine, and Terlingua.
Big Bend River Rangers Collab
The Big Bend River Rangers COLLAB program is an offshoot of the Big Bend River Rangers and seeks to involve younger students in select activities helping form interest in the outdoors at a young age.
"Raise your hand if this will be your first time hiking!" Fourth graders from Presidio ISD visiting the Davis Mountains State Park with Ranger Charlie as part of the Big Bend River Rangers COLLAB program.
Press
Big Bend Sentinel, “Presidio middle school students relaunch River Rangers program” by Sam Karas. March 9, 2022.
Big Bend Sentinel, “Presidio River Rangers conduct first water quality tests on Río Grande” by Sam Karas. April 6, 2022.
Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, “Monitoring Group Spotlight: Presidio River Rangers" June 2022.
Big Bend Sentinel, “Presidio River Rangers launch new chapter with grant funding” March 15, 2023.
Big Bend Sentinel, “Marfa High School students share laughs and appreciation for nature on Rio Grande river trip” by Mary Cantrell. November 21, 2023.
Big Bend River Rangers was established through generous support by the Jacob and Terese Hershey Foundation. The 2023-4 school year is supported by a Texas Parks and Wildlife Community Outdoor Outreach Program Grant, James A. "Buddy" Davidson Charitable Foundation, and Lush Cosmetics Charity Pot. The 2024-5 school year is supported by Permian Basin Area Foundation. Shield-Ayres Foundation and Still Water Foundation provide ongoing staffing support.