Thornforest Restoration in the Lower Rio Grande Valley

Texas’s Rio Grande Valley (RGV) is home to a diverse subtropical forest ecosystem that features species and habitat associations common to northeastern Mexico. The region’s terrestrial biodiversity is dependent on the remnants of this localized form of Tamaulipan thornforest, which dominated the Rio Grande delta’s landscape from historic times through the early 20th century. In the recent past, agricultural land clearing decimated this woodland in such a way that less than 10% of its pre-1930 extent now remains. Expanding fronts of urbanization, invasive species threats, and a changing climate are now adding even greater levels of environmental stress to the remaining forest patches.

The Thornforest Conservation Plan was recently developed to envision the strategic expansion of this habitat through dialogue between the region’s pre-imminent conservation stakeholders: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, American Forests, and others. This proposal incorporates a unified approach among these stakeholders for implementing the plan’s vision and will achieve goals in habitat restoration, water improvement, migratory connectivity, community engagement, and economic growth over the next four years (2024-2027). 

Following sustained growth in the Lower Rio Grande Valley over the past decade, American Forests’ work to restore its thornforest has become even more urgent. With the region's population projected to double to nearly three million residents by mid-century, opportunities to protect and restore this valuable habitat are being lost to fast-growing urban sprawl and development. Moreover, profound new threats have emerged from the recent construction of new border wall segments and the associated clearing of existing thornforest along areas closer to the Rio Grande River. 

These challenges are further fueled by climate change in South Texas with models predicting an increase in temperature and decline in overall rainfall, resulting in high potential for repeated cycles of extreme drought. By mid-century, the Lower Rio Grande Valley is projected to see an additional 20 days per year with extreme heat. These conditions will stress the ability of thornforest to provide important natural benefits to wildlife.

In conjunction with additional committed funding, American Forests will leverage the Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation's support to increase program staff capacity to lead coordination, science-based planning, public policy, on-the-ground restoration and communication, and volunteer engagement efforts to support the long-term conservation of this unique region's habitat. Proposed activities include the following:

 1) Plant at least 1.7 million trees across 3,400 acres over the next four years in the Lower Rio Grande Valley to meet our five-year goal of two million trees planted. 

2) Restore ocelot habitat and wildlife corridors. 

3) Increase collaboration between organizations in the region through three annual meetings of the Thornforest Conservation Partnership. 

4) Increase adoption of the drought resilience strategy for the South Texas Refuge Complex and Lower Rio Grande Valley to help the restoration effort adapt to changing conditions.

5) Reduce annual storm water runoff in the region by nearly 10 million gallons in the coming year. 

6) Increase adoption of the Thornforest Conservation Plan to guide coordinated and evidence-based conservation efforts by multiple agencies in the region.

7) Engage at least 1,000 volunteers each year in reforestation efforts to build community awareness of and support for conservation of the Lower Rio Grande Valley.

8) Inform policymakers through science and advocate for increased federal funding for conservation of the Lower Rio Grande Valley.