Image Trans-Pecos From the mountains of the northern Chihuahuan desert to the flat stretches of the Permian Basin, the Trans-Pecos and Permian Basin region represents wide swaths of West Texas. The Permian Basin is a large sedimentary basin located in western Texas and southeastern New Mexico. One of the largest oil and gas reserves in the world, the region covers more than 86,000 square miles and offers short-term economic growth to the state. However, the current fracking and drilling activities are also destroying habitat for endangered species and threatening the long-term integrity of West Texas’ aquifer. The unique sands, coveted by the fracking industry, are home to the dunes sagebrush lizard, found only in this region of Texas and New Mexico. The lizard’s habit is increasingly threatened as more fracking occurs. While some energy companies do participate in conservation agreements to limit impact on dune habitat, most oil, gas and fracking companies are still reluctant to help guarantee the lizard’s survival in Texas. The Trans-Pecos region hosts great desert biodiversity as the mountains cross “west of the Pecos” river into far west Texas. For example, there are five species of state protected freshwater mussels in the riverine habitat of Trans-Pecos area. Threats Habitat loss from oil and gas development, agriculture and urbanization are the greatest threats to this landscape. Long harmed by habitat loss from energy development, the dunes sagebrush lizard is one of the most imperiled lizards in the United States. Most of its habitat is in the Permian Basin, which produces more than 1 million barrels of oil a day, or about 20 percent of all production in the lower 48 U.S. states. The species faces a new and potentially greater threat from sand mining – used for oil and gas fracking − in its already limited habitat in Texas. Defenders' Impact Defenders has a history of endangered species advocacy in West Texas. Defenders’ Center for Conservation Innovation and Conservation Law Department are collaborating in campaigns to protect the dunes sagebrush lizard and lesser prairie chicken in western Texas where each species is facing threats related to the alteration of their habitats. Our work has utilized scientific and legal tools to advocate for imperiled species, including spatial analysis and species conservation reports to identify threats to species, and petitions, public comments, and litigation to compel action on their behalf. The creation of a Texas-based field office in 2018 allows us to develop a place-based outreach program focused on collaboration with those who own, lease, and work Texas lands. Our Texas-based staff is also working to find ways to engage the energy industry, landowners and federal and state agencies for greater cooperation in species protection throughout the region to ensure a future for wild west Texas. Trans-Pecos Blog Posts Image MAY 4, 2021 Guided by the Light, Returning the Night Skies to Migratory Birds Image MARCH 11, 2021 The Golden Songbird of Texas Hill Country Image DECEMBER 28, 2020 Highlights from 2020 in the Southwest VISIT THE BLOG Publications Conserving Texas Wildlife and Wild Places Habitat Disturbances under the Texas Habitat Conservation Plan for the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard Related Regions Southwest Related Issues Conserving Imperiled Species Protecting Habitat Defending Conservation Laws Wildlife and Wild Places Image Lesser Prairie Chicken Image Texas Hill Country Image Amphibians Image Snakes and Lizards Image Get Alerts & Updates facebook twitter instagram youtube medium pinterest Footer menu ABOUT US FAQ DEFENDERS MAGAZINE PUBLICATIONS JOBS & INTERNSHIPS CONTACT US 1130 17th Street NW Washington, DC 20036 1-800-385-9712 © 2021 Defenders of Wildlife Terms of Use Privacy Policy Accessibility Statement How Funds Are Used 97% 97% of our funds go towards program and support services, with only 3% going towards fundraising. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. By continuing to browse, you agree to the use of cookies. Cookie Policy. OK