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. 

The symposium will begin with an evening social and optional dinner on Sunday, May 18th. Each of the two following days will have field trips scheduled in the morning and presentations in the afternoon. The symposium will close with a dinner Tuesday evening, May 20th. Participants may wish to depart on Wednesday, May 21st, but are welcome to stay and spend more time exploring the area on their own. We will again have multiple registration options: three-day registration ($110), which includes the social, field trips, attendance at paper sessions, and dinner Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday evenings; two-day registration ($80), which includes the social, field trips, attendance at paper sessions, and dinner Monday and Tuesday evenings; and a limited registration ($20), which includes the social, field trips, and attendance at the paper sessions. Other meals can be purchased on site. If you plan to attend the symposium, you may wish to make lodging reservations early to assure availability.

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. Abstract deadline is May 02, 2025. Each abstract submission should include the title of the talk, authors’ names and institutional affiliations, and a description of the main points of the talk not to exceed 350 words. Plan your presentation for a general audience of scientists and students from a variety of disciplines, and individuals from the community. Submit your abstract via the link below.

Registration for the symposium is limited to 80 participants due to space constraints. Register online via the portal below by May 02, 2025. Payment can be made by most major credit cards or by electronic check.

Accommodations at Terlingua Ranch include 32 motel-style cabin rooms (two double beds), RV hookups, and campsites. A block of discounted rooms has been reserved for the symposium and reservations must be made by contacting the Terlingua Ranch Office (432.371.3146). There are also other motel options, bed-and-breakfast accommodations and house and cabin rentals in the 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).

Abstract Submission Form

Registration Portal

Programs from past meetings