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 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. A modest registration fee will cover the social, dinners on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday evenings, daily refreshments, snacks, etc. Other meals can be purchased on site. The official call for symposium abstracts will be issued in late March/early April and online registration will also open at that time. If you plan to attend the symposium, you may wish to make lodging reservations early to assure availability.

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 (closed, check back soon)

Registration Portal (closed, check back soon)

Programs from past meetings