Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute — Attraction in Fort Davis

So now for the hiccup from our recent West Texas trip. We really wanted to visit the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens on the 507-acre property of the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute. We drove up the nice, long road to the huge, fancy visitor center. Husband went in and paid the $12. As we walked back to the greenhouse that was tiny in size and pitiful in quality compared to that visitor center, we saw a sign noting pesticides in use in the greenhouse. So we asked a nearby staff member which pesticides. She hemmed and hawed and turned away while telling us she used a “natural, organic soap three weeks ago.” Great! We opened the door and were completely overcome by the wretched, toxic stench of mothballs at which time we hurriedly turned to leave and spotted a sign INSIDE the greenhouse warning mothballs and mousetraps in use.

From the parking lot, we called the visitor center and gave Lisa an earful. She said that the mothballs are the most humane way to keep the ground squirrels out of the greenhouse. Hogwash!!! Furthermore, this is an ILLEGAL USE OF A REGISTERED PESTICIDE. Lisa, also mentioned that CDRI didn't want to poison the ground squirrels. Well, we would think that would go without saying with a mission of promoting "public awareness, appreciation and concern for natural diversity of the Chihuahuan Desert region through research and education." Surely you can do better than to poison pets, bees, birds, humans, and squirrels via toxic mothballs or other means.

Perhaps less money on the extravagant visitor center and more money properly securing the greenhouse would have been a better solution. Or just cayenne pepper or ultrasonic devices. There is simply no excuse for the use of mothballs or other poison for...

$6.50/adult was the cost when I went SEP 2022

Great place to get outta the city at. There's four different hiking trails that vary in difficulty. There's a botanical gardens of native species. In the gardens, they have a cactus greenhouse as well. Right before the gardens, there's a bird blind.

Trails are well marked.

Thank you all at the visitors center for the info. Extremely insightful as to what I should be keeping my eyes peeled for. They mentioned that there were aoudas (?) and mainly birds out. Though when I was leaving, I was told there was a bobcat sighting. I asked about snake 'n' other little critters that can cause harm if I'm not paying attention. They informed me that they're not common at all-- especially during mid-day.

The visitors center has a gift shop. A ton of books that are geared towards outdoors, the Chihuahuan desert, and plants. They have stickers, cups, shirts, field guides, 'n' more.

There's a bathroom, a water fountain, and a station to refill water bottles. Drinking tap water is safe-- per what I was told. My water bottle was too big to fill at the station so they let me use the tap in their kitchen.

I did not see the mining exhibit this time around. Nor did I walk through the gardens to see what's changed. The trails were where I went

What I found really cool is how they're trying hard to be as renewable as possible. Their lights are powered by a solar panel on grounds. They also redirect rain water to help increase...

Do not waste your time or money!

After we waited for our turn to check in we were rudely approached by one of the employees that began to harass us about the manor in which we parked. Keeping in mind we were one of two vehicles in the large parking lot that has no signs, lines, or parking attendants. Trying to recover from her awkward treatment of paying customers she tried to tell us about the park. Being disgruntled she then asked another host to continue with check in. We then kindly declined any further visit.

It is too bad that this one disgruntled employee ruined our visit to CDRI on Monday morning 2/14/22. I was actually ready to discuss and possibly donate a substantial amount for research of native grasslands in the...