In one of the most arid regions of Texas, where water sustains communities, working lands, wildlife and local economies, Sul Ross State University has launched the Meadows Research Institute for West Texas Water, supported by a $2.75 million commitment from The Meadows Foundation that includes both long-term endowment funding and multi-year operational support.
Housed at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, the Meadows Research Institute for West Texas Water advances collaborative water solutions in Far West Texas through applied research, education and technical expertise to ensure a resilient water future for people, land and wildlife.
The philanthropic commitment from The Meadows Foundation includes $500,000 annually for five years to establish the Institute’s endowment, providing durable, long-term support for faculty leadership, research, and academic programming. In addition, the commitment includes $250,000 in matching funds over five years—$50,000 annually—to support early operational needs and help catalyze additional investment during the Institute’s formative years.
Water in Far West Texas is increasingly scarce. Limited aquifer recharge, stressed spring systems, aging infrastructure and growing demands place mounting pressure on the region’s water resources. The Meadows Research Institute was created to strengthen understanding of desert water systems and expand the tools, workforce and partnerships needed to steward this vital resource wisely.
“This new Institute reflects both Sul Ross State University’s long-standing commitment to serving our region and the extraordinary leadership of The Meadows Foundation,” said Dr. Carlos Hernandez, president of Sul Ross State University. “This $2.75 million commitment—one of the largest philanthropic investments in the university’s history—provides the foundation to build a world-class research institute that connects science, education and community needs, ensuring that water solutions are grounded in the people and landscapes of Far West Texas.”
“Water has always shaped the people, places and opportunities of Far West Texas,” said Eric R. Meadows, president and CEO of The Meadows Foundation. “Our commitment to the Institute and Sul Ross State University reflects our belief that careful, science-based stewardship is essential to sustaining both this vital resource and the communities who depend on it. This gift is an investment in the region to strengthen the knowledge and leadership needed for generations to come.”
The Meadows Research Institute builds on decades of Sul Ross leadership in water science, land stewardship and community engagement. It also emerged from strong regional demand, highlighted during the 2024 “Water in the Desert” conference, where landowners, scientists, community leaders and policy makers called for more coordinated research, training and support across the Trans-Pecos. Building on that momentum, faculty and staff will be fully engaged in this year’s conference, scheduled for Feb. 11–13, contributing research, expertise and leadership as the Institute’s work continues to take shape.
The Institute’s work will center on three core areas: applied research, education and workforce development, and technical assistance and community support. Initial efforts will focus on groundwater recharge and flow paths, groundwater-surface water interactions, desert spring systems such as San Solomon Springs and Independence Creek, watershed dynamics, and the impacts of land management and climate variability.
According to Dr. Louis Harveson, associate provost for research and development at Sul Ross State University, who helped guide this effort from conception to launch, the new institute reflects the importance of philanthropic leadership in advancing water solutions.
“The Meadows Foundation has consistently provided the spark for meaningful, science-based efforts like this—investments that strengthen both people and landscapes,” Harveson said. “Their leadership has helped advance water research and stewardship across Texas—including the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment in San Marcos—and now extends to Far West Texas through this new Institute. That kind of vision allows universities to address regional water challenges while contributing knowledge that resonates far beyond a single place.”
Over time, the Meadows Research Institute for West Texas Water will build a suite of education and workforce development programs to help address projected water workforce shortages in Texas, while also expanding practical tools and services for landowners, groundwater districts, municipalities and rural utilities.
For Billy Tarrant, interim director of the Meadows Research Institute for West Texas Water, the Institute’s mission is rooted in collaboration and place.
“The Meadows Research Institute was created for the region—and with the region,” Tarrant said. “The combination of long-term endowment support and early operational investment gives us the foundation we need to grow thoughtfully, work alongside communities, and deliver real-world solutions that support a resilient water future for West Texas and other arid landscapes facing similar challenges.”