March 2021
photo by Richard Love
March has come and gone quickly, with high winds, spring break, and the one-year anniversary of Covid-19. What a year! We at Frontera are happy to continue sharing safe programing with all our supporters and members. We sent out our renewal membership mailing this month. If you did not receive this mailing and wish to become a member, please click : Donate Now
We’re excited to welcome the newest member of our Board of Directors, Mónica García. Mónica is dedicated to Frontera’s goal of preserving our natural environment for future generations to enjoy. Her 12 years of professional work in private and non-profit sectors has spanned borders addressing social disparities and achieving health equity in underserved communities globally.
Castner Range: The Frontera Land Alliance, along with the Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition and the El Paso Community Foundation, is now hard at work asking the Biden administration to designate Castner Range a National Monument in El Paso. We believe that this effort is about more than permanent protection; it’s about developing a trail where justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion are the foundations of America’s 21st century’s public landscape. Here are some of our many achievements so far in 2021:
photo by Richard Love
The El Paso County Board of Commissioners signed a resolution calling on President Biden to designate Castner Range as a National Monument
The El Paso City Council signed a resolution calling on President Biden to designate Castner Range as a National Monument.
PSB-El Paso Water voted unanimously to reaffirm its previous (2015) support of making Castner Range a national monument.
The Frontera Land Alliance has written an Op Ed that appeared in the El Paso Times, making the case on why the time is now to designate Castner Range.
A full-page ad was placed in the El Paso Inc. promoting the National Monument designation.
We urge you to Sign on to support making Castner Range a National Monument by clicking here or on our website. The number of signatures on this petition makes a significant difference in the decision-making process. Thanks so much for your support!!
To celebrate World Wildlife Day, we partnered with Lois Balin—our local Texas State Park Urban Biologist—and offered a virtual presentation on Burrowing Owls.
We learned about the different plumage owls have during their young and adult lives, and how creating artificial burrows for them has helped owl populations in our region.
On the 11th and 12th, we took AmeriCorps United Way members on hikes at Knapp Land. The groups were led by local environmentalist Judy Ackerman. The members loved being able to have the opportunity to take a break from sitting on a chair staring at a computer all day!
On the 19th we led a hike for the Where There be Dragons group. This group came to our region to learn about immigration and border cultures. On our hike around Castner Range, they were able to learn about the many plants and how they have been used today and long ago. They also learned the value that Castner Range offers our community.
Spring arrived this month! On the 20th we had a great group who joined us on a hike at Thunder Canyon. Our board member Scott Cutler explained to the participants how the community came together to protect this natural arroyo.
Then, on the 21st, the El Paso Chihuahuas Volunteer Pack helped out at the Growing with Sara Farm. Thanks to their generous help, the farm will be able to better grow produce to be donated to local food banks.
We also had two Scout troops help us collect native seeds at Resler Canyon. The plants are very dry this year, but we were able to secure seeds that will be replanted in disturbed areas of the arroyo.
At the end of the month, Frontera partnered with the El Paso Audubon Society and hosted a bird tour at Knapp Land, what a beautiful day and great time seeing birds!