Restoring Life to the Rio Grande Valley: A Solo Effort. Jon Dale’s life-long quest to revive the Tamaulipan thorn forest ecosystem aims to help the region cope with the ravages of a warming world by restoring nearly 82,000 acres throughout the Rio Grande Valley.
The Tamaulipan thorn forest once covered 1 million acres on both sides of the US-Mexico border. Restoring even a fraction of it could help the region cope with the ravages of a warming world.
Jon Dale’s love affair with birds began when he was about 10 and traded his BB gun for a pair of binoculars. Within a year, he’d counted 150 species flitting through the trees that circled his family’s home in south Texas. This early passion would eventually lead him to dedicate his life to reviving the Tamaulipan thorn forest ecosystem.
A Vision to Revive
Dale’s journey began with a small backyard thorn forest, which he started 30 years ago. He’d show people photos of it, hoping to convey what was possible with just a bit of effort. Days after planting the first Turk’s cap and scarlet sage, hummingbirds fluttered in to sip their nectar. Within a few years, the canopies of Texas ebony and mesquite trees unfurled, providing shade and nesting locations for birds.
The Challenge Ahead
However, Dale’s vision is much larger. American Forests, the organization he leads, aims to restore nearly 82,000 acres throughout the Rio Grande Valley. This would require a significant investment of time, money, and resources. In 2024, American Forests began a $10 million contract with the Fish & Wildlife Service to reforest 800 acres, which could take over a billion dollars to complete.
The Importance of Seed Selection
One of the biggest challenges is selecting species that can endure future droughts. Dale emphasizes the importance of choosing plants that are resilient and can thrive in challenging conditions. By doing so, American Forests aims to increase the odds of its restoration efforts reaching maturity and bringing their conservation and climate benefits to the region.
A Playbook for Climate-Informed Planting
To address this challenge, American Forests has created a playbook of ‘climate-informed’ planting strategies. This includes techniques such as shielding seedlings inside polycarbonate tubes, which ward against strong winds and hungry critters while mimicking the cooler conditions beneath tree canopies.
Community Engagement and Education
Dale believes that education and community engagement are crucial to the success of his mission. He often visits schools and community centers, sharing photos of his backyard thorn forest and inspiring others to take action. By doing so, he hopes to convey the value this ecosystem holds beyond saving ocelots or mitigating climate change.
A Call to Action
As Jon Dale says, ‘If you don’t do this right, it can blow up in your face.‘ The fate of the Tamaulipan thorn forest ecosystem rests on our collective ability to take action. By supporting organizations like American Forests and making conscious choices about our daily lives, we can help mitigate the effects of climate change and preserve the beauty of nature for future generations.
A Glimpse into the Future
Visitors to San Carlos’ community forest might struggle to imagine the transformation that has taken place over time. The ebony, crucillo, and other species planted two and a half years ago still look scrappy, but they hold promise. As Dale says, ‘It’s gone from being this very homogenous use of land… to life again.‘ This is the vision that drives Jon Dale and American Forests – a future where nature thrives, and humans live in harmony with the environment.
The Power of Nature
As Robert Pyle calls it, an ‘extinction of experience’ threatens to erase our connection to nature. By reviving the Tamaulipan thorn forest ecosystem, Jon Dale and American Forests aim to reverse this trend. They hope to inspire others to appreciate the beauty and importance of nature, and to take action to protect it for future generations.
The Tamaulipan thorn forest is a dry subtropical ecosystem located in northeastern Mexico and southern Texas.
It covers approximately 70,000 square kilometers and is characterized by dense thickets of thorny plants such as mesquite, huizache, and nopal cactus.
The region experiences a semi-arid climate with hot summers and mild winters.
The Tamaulipan thorn forest supports a diverse range of wildlife, including the jaguarundi, ocelot, and several bird species.
The Road Ahead
The road ahead is long and challenging, but with organizations like American Forests leading the way, there is hope. By working together, we can make a difference and ensure that the Tamaulipan thorn forest ecosystem continues to thrive for years to come.
A Life of Purpose
For Jon Dale, his work is not just about restoring an ecosystem – it’s about creating a sense of purpose and connection with nature. As he says, ‘I’ve talked to people, and it’s like, ‘Do you know how this is going to enrich your life?’‘. This is the passion that drives him, and the vision that guides American Forests‘ mission.
The Importance of Experience
Dale’s grandfather was a preacher, and his influence can be seen in Jon’s words. He believes that nature has an almost transcendental power to enrich our lives. By experiencing it firsthand, we can develop a deeper appreciation for its importance and a sense of responsibility to protect it.
A Legacy of Hope
As American Forests continues its work to revive the Tamaulipan thorn forest ecosystem, Jon Dale’s legacy will be one of hope and inspiration. He has shown us that even in the face of adversity, we can make a difference and create positive change. His vision is a reminder that our actions have consequences, and that by working together, we can build a better future for all.
