Introduction to Nature in the Introduction to Nature in the Rio Grande ValleyRio Grande Valley

Adventure awaitsAdventure awaits!!

Rio Grande Valley• Almost 90 Nature “Hot Spots” from Zapata to SPI• Habitats varied and diverse

– Coastal, salt lakes, rivers, created wetlands & ponds– Thornscrub, Riparian Woodlands, Tidal Flats, Bluffs

• Incredible Biodiversity of plants & wildlife

Wild Things of the Valley

• Over 800 Species of plants (not inc. grasses)

• 526 Birds

• 323 Butterflies

• 110 Odonates (Damselfly and Dragonfly) courtesy of www.theDauphins.net & the Plants of Deep South Texas FG

Outdoor Adventure in the Valley

• Biking & Hiking

• Canoeing & Kayaking

• Hawk Tower & Tree Walks

• Wildlife (& Plant life) Observation

• Fishing & Boating

• Motorized Touring

• Native & Organic Gardening

Western LRGV nature sites

• Falcon State Park• Chapeno & Salineno• Roma Bluffs World Birding Center • Rancho Lomitas• Bentsen RGV State Park World Birding Ctr• National Butterfly Center• Mission Hike & Bike Trail• Anzalduas County Park

Falcon State Park• 572 acre park• Adjacent to 98,960 sq ft

lake (60 miles long)• Top Bass Fishing spot

ACTIVITIES• Camping• Fishing• Swimming/Boating• Bird/Butterfly Watching

Roma Bluffs World Birding Center

• USFWS site• National Historic Site:

Bluffs of Old Plaza

ACTIVITIES• Bird Watching• Historical Tours• Roma Days, Oct 2nd

• Stewardship Programs• Canoeing (suspended)

Rancho Lomitas

• Benito and Toni Trevino’s 77 acre ranch in Starr Co.

• Tamaulipan brushland

Includes:• Bed & Breakfast• Native Plant Tours• On site Nursery• RV sites

BentsenBentsen RGV State Park – World Birding Center

• 760 acre park, adjoining 1,700 acres of USFWS land along Rio Grande River

• Top Birding Destination

ACTIVITIES• Nature Tram Tours• Hawk Tower & Photo Blinds• Biking & Bike Rentals• Fishing• Primitive Camping

National Butterfly Center

• 100 acre park• Thousands of nectar

and host plants for Butterflies

• ACTIVITIES• Butterfly & Bird Tours• Picnic Areas• Rentals for weddings• Butterfly Fest, Oct 21

Central LRGV nature sites

• Edinburg Scenic Wetlands, World Birding Center• Quinta Mazatlan World Birding Center• McAllen Botanical Gardens• Hidalgo Pump House World Birding Center• La Sal De Rey & La Vieja NWR• Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge• Estero Llano Grande State Park, WBC• Valley Nature Center• Frontera Audubon Center

Edinburg Scenic Wetlands & World Birding Center

• 40 acre site, with 3.5 acre butterfly garden

ACTIVITIES• EE & Nature Programs • Nature Tours & Trips• Yoga in the Park• Community Garden• Bird & Butterfly Viewing

Quinta Mazatlan, World Birding Center

• Historic Adobe home with native woodlands and tropical plants

ACTIVITIES• EE Programs & Talks• Historical & Nature Tours• Art Exhibits• Weddings• Bird Viewing Stations

Hidalgo Pump House & World Birding Center

• Historical site and park adjacent to 600 acres of USFWS land

ACTIVITIES• Pumphouse Museum• Butterfly Gardens• Biking Trails• Canoeing Launch• Weddings• Amphitheater• Historical Tram Tours

Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge

• Jewel of Refuge system• Over 400 bird species,

Ocelot and other wildlife

ACTIVITIES• Tram tours• Nature Walks• Tree Walk & Hawk Tower• Canoeing (suspended)

Estero Llano Grande State Park & WBC

• 230 acre park, next to USFWS tract

• Lakes, woodlands, and thorn forest

ACTIVITIES• Bird & Nature Walks• Tram Tours• Retreat Center &

Cabins

Valley Nature Center

• Valley’s 1st Environmental Education Center

• New Facility soon!

ACTIVITIES• EE & Nature Programs• Valley Birding Trips• Kids Nature Club• Speaker Series• Deadwood, Oct. 8 & 15

Frontera Audubon

• Established to Protect the native habitat of the Rio Grande Valley

• 15 acres of Thicket

ACTIVITIES• Speaker Series• Birding Trails• Feeding Stations• Butterfly Garden

Eastern LRGV nature sites

• Arroyo Colorado/Thicket, World Birding Center• Adolph Thomae County Park• Los Ebanos Preserve• Resaca De La Palma, World Birding Center• Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site• Sabal Palm Audubon Center & Sanctuary• Boca Chica Tract, LRGV NWR• Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge • South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center

Resaca de La Palma State Park & WBC

• Newest State Park• 1,200 acre site with 8

miles of trails in a subtropical forest

ACTIVITIES• Biking & Bike Rentals• Picnicking• Hiking • Hunting (Seasonal)

Sabal Palm Audubon Sanctuary

• Last intact Sabal Palm Forest in Texas

• Re-opened in 2011• 3 miles of trails on 526

acres

ACTIVITIES• Wildlife classes• Bird & butterfly Watching• Guided Walks & History

Tours

Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge

• Thorn forest, freshwater wetlands, coastal prairies, mudflats and beaches.

ACTIVITIES• Motor Tours• Biking• Kayak Program• Wildlife Watching

South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center

• Almost 1 mile of Boardwalk over Bay & marsh

• 5 story overlook

ACTIVITIES• Guided Bird Walks• Wedding Rentals• Open House, Sept

25th - Anniversary

Bird/Butterfly Watching Resources

Butterfly Guides

Plant Guides

Bird Guides

Links & Websites

SITE INFO & ACTIVITIES• www.WorldBirdingCenter.org• www.RGVEventsCalendar.com

WILDLIFE & PLANT INFO• www.TheDauphins.net• www.AllAboutBirds.org• www.Birdingonthe.net• http://nativeplantproject.tripod.com

Let The Adventure Begin!