A Lifelong Dedication to Restoration

Jon dale’s journey began at age 15, planting native seedlings to attract birds near his Harlingen home. His vision: to revive the Tamaulipan thornforest, a once-expansive ecosystem teeming with diverse flora and fauna, including ocelots, jaguars, and jaguarundis. This area, comprised of at least 1,200 plants, faced relentless clearing starting in the early 20th century. Dale’s own father even bulldozed some of the last coastal tracts in the 1950s.

The State of the Thornforest Today

Less than 10% of the original thornforest in the Rio Grande Valley remains. While the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service has restored 16,000 acres sence the 1980s to protect endangered ocelots, more is needed. Dale, now 45 and a director at American Forests, continues his mission. American Forests, a nonprofit with a 150-year history of ecosystem restoration, took over the federal restoration effort last year and leads the Thornforest Conservation Partnership. This coalition aims to restore at least 81,444 acres, deemed necessary for the ocelot population to recover.

Thornforests as Climate Buffers

Beyond conservation, the thornforest offers critical climate resilience benefits. The Rio Grande Valley, one of Texas’s poorest and fastest-urbanizing regions, faces increasing extreme weather events due to climate change. Dale emphasizes the role of urban thornforests, which can mature in just 10 years, in providing shade, preserving water, reducing erosion, and absorbing stormwater. To demonstrate this, American Forests is launching its first “community forest” in the flood-prone San Carlos neighborhood, with plans to replicate the effort throughout the region.

People need more tools in the tool kit to actually mitigate climate change impact. It’s us saying, ‘This is going to be a tool.’ It’s been in front of us this whole time.

Jon Dale, Director at American Forests

Climatic Challenges in the Rio Grande Valley

The Rio Grande Valley already faces notable climatic challenges:

• Increasing triple-digit temperature days each summer.
• Sea level rise and beach erosion claiming more coastline annually.
• Chronic drought depleting the Rio Grande, a vital water source for nearly 1.4 million people.
• Worsening floods due to inadequate stormwater infrastructure amid rapid development.

Catastrophic rains between 2018 and 2020 caused over $1.3 billion in damage. One storm dumped 15 inches of rain in six hours, destroying approximately 1,200 homes. Low-income communities,known as colonias,are particularly vulnerable due to poor drainage and sewage systems.

The San Carlos Community Forest Project

San Carlos, located in northern Hidalgo County, has a population of 3,000, with 21% living in poverty. The community center and park, opened eight years ago, provides a crucial gathering place. Dale envisioned planting a small thornforest near the drainage basin, offering shade, promoting environmental literacy, and managing storm runoff.

Hidalgo County Commissioner Ellie Torres embraced the idea, calling it a no-brainer. As her election in 2018, Torres has focused on expanding stormwater infrastructure. She recognizes the need for innovative solutions beyond traditional methods.

We have to look for other creative ways [to address flooding] besides digging trenches and extending drainage systems.

Ellie Torres, Hidalgo County Commissioner

Visualizing the Thornforest

A Vision for the Valley

The Rio Grande Valley, a region steeped in natural beauty and ecological significance, faces a pressing challenge: the relentless march of development threatening its unique thornforest ecosystems. However,a dedicated coalition of conservationists,city planners,and passionate individuals are working to reverse this trend,one seedling at a time. Their ambitious goal? To restore nearly 82,000 acres of vital habitat, ensuring the survival of iconic species like the ocelot and preserving the region’s natural heritage for future generations.

Urban Oases: Miniature Woodlands Take Root

In Brownsville, Texas, a pioneering initiative is transforming urban landscapes by introducing miniature woodlands to unexpected places. Partnering with a local thornforest refuge,the city is strategically planting these green havens in school playgrounds,libraries,and other community spaces. This innovative approach not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of urban environments but also provides crucial habitat for native wildlife and educational opportunities for residents.

However, this promising endeavor faces a significant hurdle: the limited availability of native thornscrub species from plant distributors. brownsville city forester Hunter lohse explains:

The biggest challenge to greater adoption of this approach is “a lack of plant distributors that carry the really cool native thornscrub species.” We’re trying to get plant suppliers to move away from the high-maintenance tropical plants they’ve been selling for 50 years.

This highlights the need for a shift in the horticultural industry,encouraging nurseries to prioritize native plants that are well-suited to the local climate and ecosystem.

American Forests: A Seed-Saving Mission

While Brownsville grapples with plant supply challenges,American Forests is taking a proactive approach to ensure a steady supply of native seeds. Two dedicated employees meticulously collect seeds from public lands, some weighing less than a feather. Each year,they gather over 100 pounds of seeds,carefully storing them in refrigerators and freezers at Marinoff Nursery,a 15,000-square-foot facility in Alamo,Texas,operated by the nonprofit.

This notable seed collection translates to approximately 150,000 seedlings annually. Coupled with an additional 50,000 plants sourced from contract growers,American Forests is able to reforest around 200 acres each year. However,at this pace,achieving their ambitious goal of restoring nearly 82,000 acres could take centuries without increased funding and operational expansion.

The urgency of the situation is underscored by Dale, who emphasizes the looming threat of development:

These fields are probably one generation, maximum, from turning into housing.

The Financial Landscape of Restoration

Securing adequate funding remains a critical challenge for large-scale restoration efforts. in 2024, American Forests secured a $10 million contract with the Fish & Wildlife Service to reforest 800 acres, including 200 acres lost to border wall construction. This translates to $12,500 per acre,suggesting that restoring the habitat needed for ocelot recovery alone could require over $1 billion. This figure highlights the significant financial investment required to effectively address the ecological challenges facing the Rio Grande Valley.

Small Steps, Big Impact

Despite the financial hurdles, Dale remains optimistic, emphasizing that every restoration effort, regardless of size, is a worthwhile investment. Currently, the nursery is nurturing 4,000 seedlings for four new community plots, each spanning one to two acres. These smaller-scale projects serve as vital stepping stones towards the larger goal of landscape-level restoration.

Nature’s Resilience: Preparing Plants for the future

Marinoff Nursery prioritizes the resilience of its seedlings, ensuring they are well-prepared for the harsh conditions of the Rio Grande Valley. Senior reforestation manager Murisol Kuri explains their approach:

We don’t baby them or coddle them. We want to make sure they are acclimated enough so when we plant they can withstand the heat and lack of water.

By cultivating drought-resistant plants and avoiding excessive pampering, the nursery increases the likelihood of triumphant transplantation and long-term survival in the wild. This approach reflects a deep understanding of the local ecosystem and a commitment to enduring restoration practices.

The Challenge: Restoring a Vanishing Ecosystem

The Tamaulipan thornforest, a unique and vital ecosystem in the Rio Grande Valley, faces significant challenges due to habitat loss and climate change. Restoration efforts are underway, but ensuring the survival of newly planted vegetation in an increasingly arid surroundings is a complex undertaking.

American Forests’ Initiative: A Climate-Informed Approach

American forests is spearheading efforts to restore the thornforest, recognizing its importance in mitigating climate change. However, the association acknowledges that restoration is only effective if the plants can withstand the region’s harsh weather conditions.

The organization anticipates that species requiring at least 20 inches of annual rainfall may not survive in the long term, potentially leading to the encroachment of non-native species. Jon Dale, director at American Forests, emphasizes the importance of careful planning: If you don’t do this right, it can blow up in your face.

Innovative Strategies for Seedling Survival

To address these challenges, American Forests has developed a “climate-informed” planting playbook, which includes several key strategies:

• Shielding Seedlings: Using polycarbonate tubes to protect seedlings from strong winds and animals, while also mimicking the cooler conditions found under tree canopies.

This technique has considerably improved seedling survival rates, increasing them by as much as 90% as its adoption a decade ago.

Selecting drought-Resistant Species

another crucial strategy involves selecting plant species that can endure future droughts. Ecologists at the University of Texas have been studying restoration sites dating back to the 1980s to identify which plants have thrived.

The research has identified trees like Texas ebony and mesquite as particularly successful due to their thorns, which protect them from animals, and their long roots, which allow them to access deep soil moisture. Other species, such as guayacan and snake eye, require more careful management due to their lower survival rates on degraded agricultural lands.

Connecting Habitats for Wildlife

Restoration efforts also aim to connect fragmented thornforest patches, benefiting wildlife such as the endangered ocelot. Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge is one of the last places were ocelots breed, and connecting isolated habitats is crucial for their survival.

The Forgotten Ecosystem

The Rio Grande Valley, a region straddling the U.S.-Mexico border, is home to a unique and often overlooked ecosystem: the thornforest. Once a dominant landscape, it has been significantly reduced due to agriculture and urbanization. However, dedicated conservationists are working to restore this vital habitat.

Revival Strategies

Restoring the thornforest involves careful selection and planting of native species. While prioritizing the hardiest plants may reduce overall diversity,it increases the likelihood of the forest reaching maturity and delivering its intended benefits.

• Strategic Planting: Focusing on resilience to ensure long-term survival.
• Habitat Connectivity: Creating corridors for wildlife movement.
• Ecosystem Services: Enhancing the region’s climate resilience.

A 40-acre planting at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge demonstrates the rapid pace of restoration. In just five years, what was once sorghum farmland has transformed into a thriving young forest, with trees reaching 10 feet in height.

More Than Just Saving Ocelots

the thornforest’s revival extends beyond ecological benefits. It’s about reconnecting people with nature and preserving a unique part of the region’s heritage. As naturalist Robert Pyle notes, it’s an attempt to reverse an extinction of experience.

Most people have never even heard of a thornforest, let alone witnessed its wild beauty at Santa Ana.
Robert Pyle, Naturalist

Those involved in the restoration hope to highlight the intrinsic value of this ecosystem.

A Deeper Meaning

For some, the work is deeply personal. One individual, influenced by his grandfather’s preaching, describes an almost transcendental feeling when immersed in nature. He emphasizes the potential for enrichment that this ecosystem offers.

I’ve talked to people, and it’s like, ‘Do you know how this is going to enrich your life?’

Looking ahead

The restoration of the rio Grande Valley thornforest is a multifaceted endeavor. It’s a story of ecological recovery, cultural preservation, and personal connection. As these efforts continue, the thornforest promises to offer both environmental and spiritual enrichment for generations to come.