Category: News Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAR. 9, 2026

Media Contact:
Billy Tarrant
billy.tarrant@sulross.edu
432-837-8452

ALPINE, Texas — The recent Water in the Desert conference in Alpine brought together landowners, researchers, policymakers, and community leaders for important conversations about the future of water in West Texas. Hosted by the Meadows Research Institute for West Texas Water, the conference highlighted both the challenges facing the region and the collaborative solutions taking shape across the Trans-Pecos.

Now, the ideas and insights shared during the conference are available online. Videos from every conference session, along with written session recaps and conference materials, are available free to the public on the institute’s website.

Read About and Watch the Sessions

“From groundwater challenges to practical solutions, the discussions in Alpine made one thing clear: progress depends on shared knowledge and strong partnerships,” said Billy Tarrant, interim director of the Meadows Research Institute for West Texas Water. “If you joined us, I hope you’ll revisit a few sessions. If you couldn’t attend, this is your chance to catch up.”

More than 350 landowners, scientists, groundwater conservation district leaders, legislators, judges, nonprofit partners and community members gathered at Sul Ross State University for Water in the Desert 2026 in February, the first major event hosted by the newly launched Meadows Research Institute for West Texas Water. The strong turnout, up significantly from the inaugural 2024 conference, underscored both the urgency of water challenges in Far West Texas and the growing momentum behind a coordinated, science-driven response.

You can find the conference material here: Water in the Desert 2026 Conference Archives – Meadows Research Institute

Photo cutline: Dr. Louis Harveson, Billy Tarrant and Eric Meadows have been the guiding forces of the new Institute and the Water in the Desert conference. Photo by Brenda Ladd Photography.

For Immediate Release
MAR. 9, 2026

Media Contact:
Billy Tarrant
billy.tarrant@sulross.edu
432-837-8452

ALPINE, Texas — For three days in February, Alpine became the center of one of the most consequential water conversations in Texas.

More than 350 landowners, scientists, groundwater conservation district leaders, legislators, judges, nonprofit partners and community members gathered at Sul Ross State University for Water in the Desert 2026 — the first major event hosted by the newly launched Meadows Research Institute for West Texas Water. The strong turnout, up significantly from the inaugural 2024 conference, underscored both the urgency of water challenges in Far West Texas and the growing momentum behind a coordinated, science-driven response.

“This was more than a conference,” said Dr. Louis Harveson, director of the Borderlands Research Institute and associate provost for research and development at Sul Ross State University. “It was the public debut of a new, permanent home for West Texas water research and collaboration.”

The Meadows Research Institute for West Texas Water officially launched January 1 after two years of planning, partnership building and philanthropic investment. Incubated at the Borderlands Research Institute and housed at Sul Ross State University, the Meadows Research Institute advances applied research, education and technical assistance focused on the Trans-Pecos — one of the most arid and water-dependent regions of the state.

The conference opened by grounding the conversation in data. Experts outlined land trends unique to the Trans-Pecos, where large, intact working landscapes still define the region. Texas State Climatologist Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon delivered a clear-eyed assessment of rising temperatures, intensifying drought and the need for adaptive management in an increasingly variable climate. Lawmakers emphasized that reliable data and improved coordination among groundwater conservation districts are essential to shaping sound policy.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Chairman Paul Foster, speaking as a West Texas landowner, highlighted the complexity of groundwater systems that cross property and county lines. “Water doesn’t respect ownership the way we might like it to,” Foster said. 

He described commissioning groundwater studies on his own ranches to better understand how springs and aquifers are interconnected and noted that some of the groundwater beneath his land dates back tens of thousands of years — a reminder that today’s decisions carry generational consequences. Although studies suggested significant production potential, Foster said he chose not to pursue commercial development, citing responsibility to neighbors and the future.

A major focus of the conference was Proposition 4, the $20 billion, 20-year investment in Texas water infrastructure and supply approved by voters in 2025. Speakers described the funding as historic but stressed that implementation will determine its impact — particularly for rural communities with limited technical capacity to access state and federal programs. Across West Texas, aging infrastructure, shrinking aquifers and water quality pressures are daily realities affecting ranching operations, municipal growth and public health.

Sessions also addressed groundwater–surface water interactions, ecological flows and the complex challenge of produced water in the Permian Basin. The message from policymakers and scientists alike was consistent: innovation must be paired with accountability, and science must guide decisions.

For Eric Meadows, president and CEO of The Meadows Foundation, the conference represented the continuation of a long-term commitment to advancing water solutions across Texas. Two years ago, leaders from The Meadows Foundation attended the inaugural Water in the Desert conference, where conversations about aquifers, infrastructure, land stewardship and the future of rural communities highlighted both the urgency of the region’s challenges and the opportunity for meaningful investment.

“It was really through those conversations,” Meadows said, “that we started learning about some of the needs and felt there was a real opportunity to make a difference.”

The Meadows Foundation ultimately committed a $2.5 million endowment and $250,000 in multiyear operational funding to establish the Meadows Research Institute for West Texas Water, alongside additional philanthropic partners. Harveson played a key role in shepherding the relationship following the 2024 conference, helping translate regional water needs into a vision for a permanent research and service hub in Far West Texas.

Looking out at the packed auditorium, Meadows offered a simple affirmation: “You’ve got something really good going on.”

Water in the Desert began in 2024 as a regional conversation about key water issues and potential solutions. In 2026, with 350 participants filling lecture halls, breakout sessions and field tours, it became something more — a visible sign that West Texas is building the expertise, partnerships and platform needed to shape its own water future.“This conference confirmed what we’ve believed from the beginning,” said Billy Tarrant, interim director of the Meadows Research Institute for West Texas Water. “West Texas doesn’t lack commitment or expertise — it needs a place to connect the dots. Our new institute is that place. And this is just the beginning.”

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About Water in the Desert 2026

Water in the Desert 2026 was hosted and organized by the Meadows Research Institute for West Texas Water at Sul Ross State University.

The conference was made possible through the generous financial support of its major sponsors — Horizon Foundation, Dixon Water Foundation, and Reeves County Groundwater Conservation District — whose leadership investment ensured the event remained accessible and affordable to attendees from across the region.

Additional sponsors included Brewster County Groundwater Conservation District, Environmental Defense Fund, EHT–Enprotec Hibbs & Todd, Frontier Development Inc., Rio Grande Joint Venture, Texas Wildlife Association, and The Nature Conservancy.

The quality and depth of the program were shaped by a collaborative team of organizing partners, including Sul Ross State University, Borderlands Research Institute, Environmental Defense Fund,  Rio Grande Joint Venture, Texas Water Foundation, Texas Agricultural Land Trust, Dixon Water Foundation, Texas Wildlife Association, The Nature Conservancy, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation.

News Release
For Immediate Release
Jan. 12, 2026

Media Contact:
Billy Tarrant
billy.tarrant@sulross.edu
(432) 837-8452

Early-bird registration available through Jan. 16

ALPINE, Texas — The newly launched Meadows Research Institute for West Texas Water at Sul Ross State University has announced the speaker lineup for the 2026 Water in the Desert Conference, set for Feb. 11–13 in Alpine. The three-day event will bring together elected officials, state conservation leaders, water scientists, landowners, resource managers, and community leaders to examine the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of water in Far West Texas.

The conference builds on the success of the inaugural 2024 Water in the Desert gathering and reflects the growing regional demand for informed, practical dialogue around groundwater, surface water, infrastructure investment, and stewardship in one of the most arid regions of the state.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Chairman and West Texas Landowner Paul L. Foster will open the main conference program, joined by state and local leaders from across the Trans-Pecos. The agenda also includes members of the Texas Legislature, county judges representing rural West Texas communities, and U.S. Congressman Tony Gonzales, who will offer closing remarks.

Nationally recognized water expert Brian Richter, author and president of Sustainable Waters, will deliver the keynote address, focusing on water scarcity and solutions in a drying climate. Additional sessions will explore groundwater science, produced water, data center demand, legislative action, county-level challenges, and emerging research initiatives underway in West Texas.

Conference speakers also include leadership from the Texas Water Development Board, including Ashley Morgan, director, and John Dupnik, deputy executive administrator for the Office of Water Science and Conservation. Groundwater Conservation District directors, long-time West Texas landowners, and regional practitioners will share on-the-ground perspectives from managing water in arid landscapes.

“This conference is where the big conversations about West Texas water are happening,” said Billy Tarrant, interim director of the Meadows Research Institute for West Texas Water. “You’ll hear directly from the people shaping water policy, managing land and infrastructure, advancing science, and living with the consequences of these decisions every day. If you care about the future of water in this region, this is where you need to be.”

The program begins Wednesday, Feb. 11, with afternoon spotlight sessions designed to provide context on regional land, drought, and climate trends. Thursday features a full day of presentations, panel discussions, and networking, concluding with a closing reception at the Museum of the Big Bend. Optional field trips on Friday, Feb. 13, will give participants the opportunity to visit springs, rangelands, restoration sites, and conservation projects across the region, including Balmorhea State Park.

Throughout the conference, attendees will also hear brief presentations highlighting priority research areas of the Meadows Research Institute for West Texas Water, including groundwater–surface water interactions, spring and aquatic ecosystems, and applied science supporting land and water stewardship in the Trans-Pecos.

Landowners attending the conference will have the opportunity to participate in free well water quality testing, offered in partnership with the Texas Well Owner’s Network. Participants are encouraged to bring properly collected samples from household wells for analysis and consultation with water professionals.

Early-bird registration is $75 through Jan. 16, after which the rate increases to $95. Organizers encourage early registration, as space is limited and lodging in Alpine fills quickly.

Registration & Details: bri.sulross.edu/events/water-in-the-desert-2026

Organizing Partners

• Borderlands Research Institute
• Meadows Research Institute for West Texas Water
• Sul Ross State University
• Dixon Water Foundation
• Environmental Defense Fund
• Texas Water Foundation
• Rio Grande Joint Venture
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation
• The Nature Conservancy
• Texas Wildlife Association
• Texas Agricultural Land Trust

Photo by Dana Jones

For Immediate Release
Jan. 5, 2026

Media Contact:
Billy Tarrant
billy.tarrant@sulross.edu
432-837-8452

$2.75 million commitment establishes endowment and multi-year operational support

ALPINE, Texas — 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 that 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, Institute faculty and staff will be fully engaged in the upcoming Water in the Desert conference, scheduled for Feb. 11–13, 2026, 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.”

News Release
For Immediate Release
Nov. 17, 2025

Media Contact:
Cindi Meche
cindi.meche@sulross.edu
432-837-8368

ALPINE, Texas – Registration is now open for the second Water in the Desert Conference, which will be held Feb. 11–13, 2026, at Sul Ross State University in Alpine. The conference will once again bring together landowners, scientists, policymakers, and community leaders to explore the future of water across West Texas.

Organized by the Borderlands Research Institute (BRI) in partnership with the West Texas Water Research Center (WTWRC), the conference will build on the success of the 2024 gathering that drew more than 260 participants from across the region. This year’s event will again take place on the Sul Ross campus and feature thought-provoking sessions, field trips, and opportunities for collaboration.

“Water in the Desert has become a trusted forum for real conversations about West Texas water,” said Billy Tarrant, interim director of the WTWRC. “We’re looking forward to bringing everyone back together to share new science, strengthen partnerships, and keep the momentum going.”

Highlights will include panels on groundwater and surface-water science, a regional legislative outlook, landowner perspectives, and the unveiling of draft priorities for the new West Texas Water Research Center. Speakers and detailed program information will be announced soon.

Registration is open! Early bird rates are available through Jan. 2 at a reduced rate of $75. After Jan. 2, the registration fee will be $95. Attendees are encouraged to register early at to take advantage of discounted rates and ensure lodging availability in Alpine.

“The Water in the Desert Conference has energized our university’s role in addressing water challenges across the region,” said Dr. Louis Harveson, Associate Provost of Research and Development at Sul Ross State University and BRI director. “By coupling a strong convening with a service-oriented research center, we can help provide the science and partnerships that West Texans need to plan for the future.”

Dates: Feb. 11–13, 2026
Venue: Sul Ross State University, Alpine, Texas
Registration & Details: bri.sulross.edu/events/water-in-the-desert-2026

Advertising Partners

• Borderlands Research Institute 
• West Texas Water Research Center 
• Sul Ross State University 
• Dixon Water Foundation 
• Environmental Defense Fund 
• Texas Water Foundation 
• Rio Grande Joint Venture 
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation 
• The Nature Conservancy 
• Texas Wildlife Association 
• Texas Agricultural Land Trust