As the Borderlands Research Institute (BRI) at Sul Ross State University enters its 18th year, it is celebrating a transformational milestone. For the first time, the Texas Legislature has provided significant ongoing funding to support BRI’s mission of conserving the natural resources of the Chihuahuan Desert Borderlands through research, education and outreach.
Since its founding in 2007, BRI has relied primarily on private philanthropy, with more than 90 percent of its support coming from individuals, foundations and grants. That base of support helped BRI establish itself as a trusted leader in wildlife and habitat research. The new legislative appropriation builds on that foundation, recognizing BRI’s success and helping ensure its long-term stability.
“This investment by the Texas Legislature is both historic and forward-looking,” said Sul Ross State University President Dr. Carlos Hernandez. “It affirms the outstanding success of the Borderlands Research Institute, and it will allow us to take this important work to the next level. We are especially grateful to Sen. César Blanco and Rep. Eddie Morales for their leadership, and to the Texas State University System for its support throughout the process. This appropriation is a victory for our students, for higher education in rural West Texas, and for conservation across the Greater Big Bend region.”
BRI was launched to fill a void in wildlife and habitat research in the Trans-Pecos. Under the leadership of founder and director Dr. Louis A. Harveson, the institute has built a national reputation for conservation science in the Trans-Pecos. Research projects have spanned desert bighorn sheep, pronghorn, mule deer, mountain lions, black bears, grassland birds, hummingbirds and a wide array of habitat and rangeland studies.
“The appropriation will stabilize our operations and allow us to expand our research, education and outreach,” Harveson said. “It’s a game-changer for the institute, and it reflects the confidence our state leaders have in the work we’ve accomplished. At the same time, it comes with a responsibility to make our legislators and taxpayers proud. For nearly two decades, private philanthropy fueled our growth. Now, this public investment challenges us to amplify our mission for the benefit of West Texas landowners, ranchers, land managers and the natural resources that they steward.”
BRI supports 20 to 25 graduate research projects annually and has graduated more than 100 master’s students who now influence management decisions on millions of acres across Texas. The institute’s work is grounded in partnerships with private landowners and strengthened by collaborations with state, federal and nongovernmental organizations.
Harveson also credited the leadership of BRI’s advisory board for helping achieve this milestone. “Board members like John Poindexter and Dan Allen Hughes Jr. have been tireless supporters,” he said. “Their guidance was instrumental in navigating this process and ensuring BRI’s legacy of conservation leadership will endure.”
“Our research benefits the people and landscapes of the Greater Big Bend Region—an area known for its sprawling ranches, scenic vistas and wildlife diversity,” Harveson added. “It’s where Texans come to play, explore, learn and live. This appropriation is not just an investment in higher education and conservation; it’s an investment in the economic vitality and quality of life of West Texas.”