Restoring 81,444 Acres of Thorn Forests in the Rio Grande Valley
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📰 The quick summary: A large-scale effort to restore the Rio Grande Valley’s native Tamaulipan thorn forest aims to create natural climate resilience while providing vital wildlife habitat and flood protection for local communities.
📈 One key stat: Less than 10 percent of the original million-acre Tamaulipan thorn forest remains today, highlighting the urgent need for restoration to preserve this unique ecosystem.
💬 One key quote: “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.”
1️⃣ The big picture: The Rio Grande Valley was once home to over a million acres of Tamaulipan thorn forest, a dense mosaic of plants supporting incredible biodiversity. Today, American Forests is leading an ambitious effort to restore at least 81,444 acres of this vital ecosystem. Their work combines conservation goals with climate resilience, as these forests provide natural flood control, shade, and water preservation. The organization has already begun establishing community forests in flood-prone neighborhoods and is scaling up seed collection and nursery operations to expand restoration across the region.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: Restored thorn forests can mature in just 10 years while delivering multiple environmental benefits. These forests act like natural sponges to reduce flooding, provide essential shade in urban areas, and preserve water resources. The restoration efforts are already showing success, with newly planted areas attracting diverse wildlife within a few years. Local communities and cities across the Valley are increasingly embracing these native forests as green infrastructure solutions.
3️⃣ What’s next: American Forests is working to expand their nursery operations and secure additional funding to accelerate restoration. The organization is launching more community forest projects and collaborating with researchers to study their impact. They’re also developing climate-informed planting strategies to ensure restored forests can withstand future weather challenges.
Read the full story here: Grist – The Rio Grande Valley was once covered in forest. One man is trying to bring it back.
