Now Recruiting Additional Board Members! Contact Us If You'd Like to Serve.
A beautiful pearly mussel, which probably gives the name to the streams and the Post…can be found anywhere along the banks.
William M. Notson, Fort Concho Post Surgeon, 1868
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 toxic oil field water disposal in the river (like the Pecos), our charge is to ensure the Concho is preserved.
Thus, this Conservancy was formed.
Other agencies play critical roles, but there’s a representation gap…
Who We Are, and Why We Need Your Help
Our Mission
To cherish and preserve the Concho River and the lands within its watershed, including the natural flora, fauna, and historical heritage of that region and to educate the public about the benefits of the same.
Scope and Scale
The Concho River Basin reaches far and wide, with constituents in 10 counties and their key cities (Christoval, Eldorado, San Angelo, Sterling City, Paint Rock, and more) and serving more than 130,000 people! Collaboration within this group is key to our advocacy efforts, but we also aim to spread news of the history and beauty of the Concho to other Texans and beyond.
People, Capabilities, and Funding…
...in that order. Our goals are to spread the word regarding challenges and opportunities related to the Concho and to seek public inputs and engagement so we can help cherish and preserve it. If you have expertise you'd be willing to lend to our cause (e.g., legal counsel, scientific expertise, government policy knowledge, wildlife or river management background, etc.), please reach out and get involved!
Our Turn: A Photo Gallery by Concho River Conservancy
