Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute

Fort Davis, Texas, United States

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The Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute (CDRI), located four miles southeast of Fort Davis, Texas, is a nonprofit scientific and educational organization established in 1973. It spans 507 acres of semidesert grasslands, volcanic rock formations, and unique riparian canyons, featuring over five miles of hiking trails and a desert botanical garden.

The institute promotes public awareness and appreciation for the Chihuahuan Desert’s biodiversity through educational programs, guided hikes, exhibits like the Maxie Templeton Cactus Museum Collection, and scientific research.

The visitor center includes interactive displays about the region’s geology, mining history, and ecology. CDRI collaborates closely with local schools, universities, and volunteers to advance conservation, research, and community education, making it a key resource in preserving the desert ecosystem.