Educational Programs Offered by
Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park
Schoolyard Desert Discovery Project
Contact Phone Number to Request the Program: 505-524-3334
Contact Email Address to Request the Program: cdnp_rink@zianet.com
Contact Fax Number to Request the Program: 505-523-2866
Target Age: Grades 2-12
Program Description: With the Jornada Basin Long-Term Ecological Research
program at NMSU, the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park coordinates a program where
students are scientists as they learn about ecological research by participating
in it. Students work with scientists to conduct studies on weather,
microclimates, soil, vegetation, arthropods, and birds in their schoolyard.
Location of Program: at the requesting school
Chihuahuan Desert Expo
Contact Phone Number to Request the Program: 505-524-3334
Contact Email Address to Request the Program: cdnp_rink@zianet.com
Contact Fax Number to Request the Program: 505-523-2866
Target Age: Grades K-4
Program Description: This annual education event hosted by the Chihuahuan Desert
Nature Park is held in early May. More than 20 activity stations allow students
to learn about the desert where they live through art projects, physical
activities, games, and quizzes. Topics include desert plants and animals,
desert survival, desert ecology, weather, geology, and much more.
Location of Program: Las Cruces Downtown Mall, Las Cruces, New Mexico
Field Trips
Name of Organization Offering the Program: Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park
Contact Phone Number to Request the Program: 505-524-3334
Contact Email Address to Request the Program: cdnp_rink@zianet.com
Contact Fax Number to Request the Program: 505-523-2866
Target Age: Grades K-12
Program Description: During a day-long field trip, students visit 3-5 stations
where they may learn about weather, animal adaptations, plant adaptations, and
ruminant digestion. Students come away with an appreciation for all that exists
in the desert, an area many of them once considered a wasteland. Fee:
$2/student.
Location of Program: Jornada Experimental Range and the Chihuahuan Desert Nature
Park site
Desert Science Teacher Workshop
Contact Phone Number to Request the Program: 505-524-3334
Contact Email Address to Request the Program: cdnp_rink@zianet.com
Contact Fax Number to Request the Program: 505-523-2866
Target Age: teachers (upper elementary - middle school)
Program Description: The Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park works with the USDA-ARS,
Jornada Experimental Range to conduct a 2-5 week workshop for upper elementary
and middle school science teachers. Teachers learn about research being
conducted by local scientists and then develop experience-based learning modules
for use in their classrooms.
Location of Program: Las Cruces