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Big Bend Ranch STATE PARK BIG BEND COUNTRY Big Bend Ranch STATE PARK A rugged mix of desert mountains, canyons and grass- lands forms the dramatic landscape of Big Bend Ranch State Park, Texas’ largest state park. Hugged by the Big Bend of the Rio Grande, the 300,000-acre area features spectacular rock formations, unique plants and animals and records of human occupation dating back some 11,000 years. Access is by way of a breathtakingly scenic highway that follows the river. Camping: Primitive camping only. Drive-in sites along the river, also back-country sites. Primitive equestrian area. Group Facilities: Sauceda Bunk House (capacity 30). Rafting: Run the Rio Grande and drift through spectacular Colorado Canyon. Wildlife Watching: Great for birds and mammals (falcons, peccaries, deer). Trails: Hiking, biking, and equestrian multi-use trails. Interpretive Centers: Exhibits about park, natural, and cultural history located at Sauceda Ranger Station and Barton Warnock Center. Texas State Parks Store: One-of-a-kind gifts, shirts, camping supplies, books, etc. 67 Presidio Ft. Leaton 118 27 m (dirt) i. Sauceda Big Bend Ranch State Park Rio Grande Barton Warnock 170 Center MEXICO Lajitas Located in Brewster and Presidio counties. Sauceda facilities are accessible east of Presidio on FM 170 by way of 27 miles of unpaved road. Big Bend Ranch State Park Sauceda Ranger Station 1900 Sauceda Ranch Rd. Presidio, TX 79845 • (432) 358-4444 Barton Warnock Visitor Center 21800 FM 170 Terlingua, TX 79852 • (432) 424-3327 www.texasstateparks.org Rates and reservations: (512) 389-8919. For info only: (800) 792-1112. © 2021 TPWD PWD CD P4501-152F (7/21) TPWD receives funds from the USFWS. TPWD prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national ori- gin, disability, age, and gender, pursuant to state and federal law. To request an accommodation or obtain information in an alternative format, please contact TPWD on a Text Telephone (TTY) at (512) 389-8915 or by Relay Texas at 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2989 or by email at [email protected]. If you believe you have been discriminated against by TPWD, please contact TPWD, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744, or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office for Diversity and Workforce Management, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041..

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Desert Tracks
A publication of the Borderlands Research Institute for Natural Resource Management at Sul Ross State University. Desert Tracks “Helping conserve the natural resources of the Chihuahuan Desert Borderlands A Member of the Texas State University System through research, education, & outreach.” Summer 2011 RESEARCH IN ACTION: Volume 4, Issue 2 Editor: Patricia Moody Harveson Effects of Wildfire on Flora & Fauna of the Big Bend by Bonnie J. Warnock Inside this issue: s scientists, we understand the role of no rainfall in the near future, fire danger Research in Action 1 A fire as a natural disturbance in the remains high and there seems to be little From the Director 2 grasslands and woodlands of the Trans- hope of recovery for the acres scorched by Pecos. We have studied the effects of pre- the recent fires. But there is hope for re- Student Scholars Re- scribed fire on plant and animal communi- covery. Our ecosystems are adapted to fire. ceive Awards 2 ties and understand that fire can have posi- Donor Spotlight 3 So what can we expect in the areas that tive effects on the ecosystem. However, have burned? Perennial grasses can with- Burn Association this knowledge did not alleviate the fear and stand fire with little damage. However, Meeting 3 emotional turmoil that we felt this past because of the very dry conditions, we will SRSU Marketing spring when wildfires threatened our homes see some perennial grass mortality. But if Campaign 3 and those of our neighbors. we get rains during this monsoon season, Black Bears on the During the past few months many Trans- grass regrowth will be rapid.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND ELIGIBILITY .......................................................................... 1 INTERNATIONAL DARK SKY NOMINATION AND SUPPORT LETTERS ......................... 1 PARK DESCRIPTION ................................................................................................................. 14 Environmental Setting .............................................................................................................. 15 Cultural History ........................................................................................................................ 16 Property Description ................................................................................................................. 20 DARK SKIES IN THE BIG BEND REGION ............................................................................. 22 Sky Quality at Big Bend Ranch State Park ............................................................................... 26 All-sky Photometry ............................................................................................................... 26 Sky Quality Meter ................................................................................................................. 30 Photography .......................................................................................................................... 33 Big Bend Ranch State Park Dark Sky Commitment ................................................................ 37 Big Bend Ranch State Park Complex Lightscape
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