Abstract submission portal for 2023 meeting is now closed. Registration portal is still open.

The objective of the Christmas Mountains Research Symposium is to increase public and scientific understanding of the ecology, geology, culture and history of the Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem in the Big Bend region of Texas and Mexico.

The annual two-day symposium highlights research by students and faculty from campuses in the Texas State University System, but welcomes contributions from researchers at other universities, federal and state agency personnel, and residents of the area who have investigated aspects of the region’s ecology, geology, culture and history. Presenters should plan to give a 12-minute talk followed by three minutes of questions and discussion. PowerPoint presentations are supported, but are not required.

The symposium will begin with an evening social and optional dinner on Monday, May 22. Each of the two following days will have field trips scheduled in the morning and presentations scheduled for the afternoon. The symposium will close with dinner on Wednesday evening May 24. Participants may wish to depart Thursday May 25, but are welcome to stay and spend more time exploring the area on their own. A modest registration fee will cover the social, dinners on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings, daily refreshments and snacks. Other meals can be purchased on site.

If you plan to attend the symposium, you may wish to make lodging reservations a few weeks prior to assure availability. Accommodations at Terlingua Ranch include 32 motel-style cabin rooms (two double beds), RV hookups, and campsites. Visit Terlingua Ranch for more information on facilities and rates. Email the ranch front desk or call 432.371.3146 for reservations. There are also other motel options, bed-and-breakfast accommodations and house and cabin rentals in the general area. The Bad Rabbit Café, a full-service restaurant, is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

For more information, feel free to contact the symposium organizer, David Lemke by phone (512.245.3364) or email (david.lemke@txstate.edu).

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