Cherishing and Preserving the Concho River

A Legacy of life

The Concho River is historic. For generations, people and wildlife have called this region home and left traces of their presence. Legends abound, from Native traditions found at the Painted Rocks, through the earliest written records of miracles (The Lady in Blue), hardships (the earliest frontier settlers), and even armed conflict (Fort Concho). People have ultimately thrived and built lives worthy of remembrance and study. At the same time, the ecosystem has served as an excellent home to many unique flora and fauna, including the Tampico Pearlymussel, host of the world-famous Concho Pearl. Countless people, plants, and animals have cherished the waters of the Concho.

a changing world

But the Concho River is also fragile. Natural changes abound--from drought to floods--but these issues have been faced by many before us. What is new, however, is the volume of people relying on the Concho, driving both consumption and economic use issues to the forefront. From sewage spills to treated wastewater reuse, from over-pumping to the potential for treated oil field water disposal in the river (like the Pecos), our charge is to ensure the Concho is preserved.

Thus, this Conservancy was formed.