Terlingua Creek Riparian Habitat Restoration

Terlingua Creek within Big Bend National Park is a perennial stream that provides habitat for nesting common black hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus) and yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus), and aquatic habitat for Mexican stoneroller (Campostoma ornatum) and roundnose minnow (Dionda episcopa). To enhance aquatic and riparian habitat and contribute to the resiliency of the river, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), Big Bend National Park, and other partners, are working together to promote healthy water and watersheds through reforestation within tributaries of the Big Bend reach. This will meet the overarching goal of increasing riparian habitat for species such as common black hawk, yellow-billed cuckoo, and potentially gray hawk (Buteo plagiatus). This will also increase resilience to climate change by promoting channel aggradation and increasing the depth and extent of the riparian aquifer. Riparian reforestation reduces sediment transport and can help decrease the sediment surplus that together with invasive plant species leads to increased channelization of the main channel of the Rio Grande. These activities will contribute to enhancing both riparian and aquatic habitat health, diversity, and resilience. PLEASE SEE FULL TEXT NOFO FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION