Planning a Biological and Geological Research Station in the Big Bend Region of Tex

美国中西部州立大学获得一项战略规划拨款，用于发展达尔奎斯特研究站，研究奇瓦瓦沙漠北部的生物和地质过去、模式、过程和现象。该项目将举办两个研讨会：一个在现场，一个在威奇托瀑布的校园。该小组将包括来自广泛学科和专业的专家。他们将被要求为密歇根州立大学提供指导和书面建议(1)使命宣言和(2)衡量成功的长期目标和里程碑(a)基础研究和研究培训需求；(b)数据管理系统和互联性；(c)标本文件；(d)所需的实验室空间和设备；(e)必要的支助设施；(f)通讯和能源系统；(g)筹资机会；还有其他问题。达尔奎斯特研究站（DRS）是一个1200公顷的原始，奇瓦瓦沙漠峡谷土地在大弯曲地区的西德克萨斯州。这个地方很偏远，在过去的50年里没有被家养有蹄类动物放牧。它靠近两条历史悠久的小径。科曼奇战争之路和吉娃娃之路1996年，原址被捐赠给中西部州立大学（MSU）作为研究设施。密歇根州立大学购买了邻近的土地，成立了DRS。1999年，密歇根州立大学的教职员工和他们的同事/学生开始对现代和化石分类群进行初步的生物多样性调查，2005年在DRS举办了第一次地质/人类学夏令营。已经报道了几个新的蜘蛛种和化石以及一个新的蜘蛛科。

Midwestern State University is awarded a grant for strategic planning to develop the Dalquest Research Station for the study of biological and geological past, patterns, processes, and phenomena of the northern Chihuahuan Desert. The project will conduct two workshops: one on-site and one on-campus in Wichita Falls. The Panel will include experts from a broad array of disciplines and specialties. They will be asked to provide guidance and written recommendations to MSU for (1) a mission statement and (2) long-term goals and landmarks for gauging success in (a) basic research and research-training needs; (b) data management systems and interconnectivity; (c) specimen documentation; (d) required laboratory-space and equipment; (e) necessary support facilities; (f) communication and energy systems; (g) funding opportunities; and other issues that emerge.Dalquest Research Station (DRS) is a 1200 ha, pristine, Chihuahuan Desert canyon land in the Big Bend region of West Texas. The site is remote and ungrazed for the last 50 years by domestic ungulates. It lies close to and between two historic trails?the Comanche War Trail and the Chihuahua Trail. In 1996, the original site was donated to Midwestern State University (MSU) as a research facility. MSU purchased adjacent land to form DRS. MSU faculty and their colleagues/ students began preliminary biodiversity surveys of modern and fossil taxa in 1999, and the first geological/anthropological camp was held at DRS in 2005. Several new species of spiders and fossils and one new family of spiders have been reported.