CONGRATULATIONS!

You’ve completed your Family Summer Adventure Challenge journal. Don’t forget to double check that proof is attached to your journal pages. We hope your family had lots of fun completing the challenges. Thank you for continuing to support your local nature

centers and parks.

Please turn in your journals to your local nature center by

5 pm on Saturday, August 31.

Find more information about sites & challenges at

NatureRocksRGV.org NatureChallenge.tamu.edu

This summer, visit at least four different nature centers and parks in the Rio Grande Valley and complete 12 nature challenges. Upon completion of the challenges and journal submission, your family name will be placed in a drawing for the opportunity to win fun prizes. The challenge is for families with children 18 and under.

Families with children 18 and under are invited to join in on the RGV Family Summer Adventure Challenge (RGVFSAC) and spend all summer enjoying the outdoors. The Challenge is a chance to spend quality time together while visiting different nature centers and parks in the Rio Grande Valley and, upon completion of the challenges, an opportunity to win exciting prizes! Instructions: In this journal you will find 12 challenges to complete over the summer (May 25 - August 31, 2019). For your family to be included in the raffle you must complete at least 10 challenges at 4 or more RGV nature sites . (Please refer to the back of the journal for a full site listing). This journal will help you and your family collect proof for each challenge. Teams can also submit journal entries and photos online at the Texas Nature Challenge (TNC) website or on the RGV Family Summer Adventure Challenge Facebook Group or with the #RGVFSAChallenge on your Facebook page (please make posts public). Only one journal per family will be accepted (online, printed, or combination of printed & online). However, families may include additional pages, write-ups, bonus pages and photos as desired. Along with your journal, registered teams also receive a laminated “FSAC” Team Sign, a Discount/Free entry pass to select nature sites and other goodies. Participation in the RGVFSAC is free, however some sites may charge program or entry fees. Please call sites prior to your visit for information on fees and schedules. Proof of Completion: We will require proof of completion for each challenge. Types of proof required include an employee signature or photo submission (printed, Facebook entry or TNC entry) of your family holding your “FSAC” Team Sign in front of the site’s entrance sign, landmark or building. Deadline: Turn in completed journals to your local participating nature center no later than 5 pm on Saturday August 31, 2019. On-line entries must also be completed on or before August 31.

Site Information & Summer Hours of Operation

NATURE CENTERS & SITES

Hugh Ramsey Nature Park and World Birding Center (956) 216-5951. 1001 S. Loop 499, Harlingen, Texas 78550

Open Daily 6 am to 10 pm

Sabal Palm Sanctuary 956-541-8034. 8435 Sabal Palm Rd. Brownsville, TX 78521

Open Daily 7 am - 5 pm (Closed Wednesdays)

South Padre Island Sealife Center 956-299-1957. 110 N. Garcia St. , Port Isabel TX 78578

Open Daily 10 am to 4 pm

Coastal Studies Lab 956-761-2644. 100 Marine Lab Drive. South Padre Island, TX 78597

Visitor Center Open Monday - Friday 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm

South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center and World Birding Center 956-761-6801. 6801 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, TX 78505

Daily 7 am to 5 pm

Sea Turtle Inc. 956-761-4511. 6617 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, TX 78597

Open Daily 10 am to 5 pm

Native Plant Center (956) 433-5315. 6809 Padre Blvd. South Padre Island, Texas 78597

Nursery is open Daily 8 am to 5 pm. Call for tours.

Coastal Land Resource Center & Laguna Point Recreation Park (956) 944-2013. 1238 Port S Dr, Port Mansfield, TX 78598. Park open daily sunrise to sunset. Call for tour of Center.

For websites, programs and more, please visit:

www.naturerocksrgv.org

naturechallenge.tamu.edu

Site Information & Summer Hours of Operation

NATURE CENTERS & SITES

Roma Bluffs World Birding Center 956-849-4930. 610 N. Portscheller St., 78584 Roma TX

Bluffs Open Daily, Sunrise to Sunset. Center open Monday - Friday 8 am - 5 pm

National Butterfly Center 956-583-5400. 3333 Butterfly Park Rd., Mission TX 78572

Open Daily 8 am - 5 pm

McAllen Nature Center 956-681-3333. 4101 W Us Highway 83, McAllen, TX 78501

Open Daily 8 am—12 pm & 5pm to Sunset

Town Lake at Firemen’s Park (956) 681-3333. 201 N 1st St, McAllen, TX 78501

Open Daily. Rentals: Friday—Sunday, 4 pm to Sunset

Quinta Mazatlán World Birding Center 956-681-3370. 600 Sunset Drive. McAllen, TX 78503

Open Tuesday - Saturday 8 am - 5 pm and Thursdays until Dark.

Old Hidalgo Pumphouse Museum & World Birding Center 956-843-8686. 902 S. Second St., Hidalgo TX 78557

Open Daily. Weekdays 8 am to 7 pm. Weekends 9 am - 7 pm

Edinburg Scenic Wetlands & World Birding Center 956-381-9922. 714 Raul Longoria Rd. Edinburg, TX 78540

Grounds Open Monday 7 am - 5 pm, Tuesdays - Saturday, 7 am to 6 pm. Visitor Center Open Monday - Saturday 8 am - 5 pm

Frontera Audubon

956-968-3275. 1101 S. Texas Blvd., Weslaco TX 78596 Open Tuesday - Saturday 8 am - 4 pm and Sunday 12 pm - 4 pm

Valley Nature Center

956-969-2475. 301 S Border Ave, Weslaco, TX 78596 Tuesday - Friday 9 am - 5 pm, Saturday: 8 am - 5 pm & Sunday 1 pm - 5 pm

Family Information:

Team Name:______________________________________

Adult Names: _____________________________________

_________________________________________________

Child Name & Age________________________ _____

Child Name & Age________________________ _____

Child Name & Age________________________ _____

Child Name & Age________________________ _____

Child Name & Age________________________ _____

Main (ADULT) Contact: ____________________________

Telephone: _______________________________________

Alt. Telephone: ____________________________________

Email Address: _____________________________________

Challenge 1: Flower Senses Visit a nature center/park. While staying on the trail, look and smell the different flowers you come across. Draw and/or describe at least four (4) different flowers and describe their scent. Please provide us with proof of your visit (signature or attached/uploaded photos*).

Nature Center/Park: ________________________________________

Nature Center/Park Staff Person*

Printed Name: ____________________________________________

Signature: _________________________________________________

Date: ________________________________ * ALTERNATIVE: Take a photo of your group in front of the entrance sign, landmark or building holding up your “FSAC” Team Sign. Include print of photo or upload to Facebook or your Texas Nature Challenge blog, including team name, site and challenge #.

Flowers not only smell good, but some may be used in medicine and food. For example, the Common Sunflower has been used as a tea to help fight tooth-aches. Petals from Roses have been used to decorate cakes and drinks. Some folks have even sipped on the sweet nectar of the Turk’s Cap. Note: Please don’t eat or taste anything wild without your parents permission.

Site Information & Summer Hours of Operation

STATE PARKS

Falcon State Park (956) 848-5327. 46 Park Rd, Falcon Heights, TX 78545.

Park Open Daily 8 am - 5 pm, and until 7 pm on weekends.

Bentsen-RGV State Park & World Birding Center 956-584-9156. 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Dr., Mission TX 78572

Park Open Daily 7 am - 10 pm Visitor Center Open Thursday - Sunday 7:30 am - 5:30 pm

Estero Llano Grande State Park & World Birding Center

956-565-3919. 154A Lakeview Dr., Mercedes TX, 78599 Park Open Daily 8 am - 10 pm

Visitor Center Open Wednesday - Sunday 8 am - 4:30 pm

Resaca de la Palma State Park & World Birding Center 956-350-2920. 1000 New Carmen Blvd., Brownsville TX 78521

Park Open Daily 7 am - 10 pm Visitor Center Open Wednesday-Sunday 8 am - 5 pm

NATIONAL REFUGES & PARKS

Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge & Lower Rio Grande National Wildlife Refuge

956-784-7500. 3325 Green Jay Rd., Alamo TX 78516 Park Open Daily Sunrise to Sunset

Visitor Center Open Daily 8 am - 4 pm

Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park 956-541-2785. 7200 Paredes Line Rd, Brownsville TX 78526

Open Daily 8 am—5 pm

Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge 956-748-3607. 22688 Buena Vista Rd, Los Fresnos, TX 78566

Refuge Open Daily Sunrise to Sunset Visitor Center Open Thursday-Monday 8 am - 4 pm

At a Glance

Check off the challenges completed. Teams that enter completed challenges on-line at “Texas Nature Challenge “ will receive a

digital badge that can be printed out and included in your journal.

Challenge 1: Flower Senses ______

Challenge 2: Wet n Wild ______

Challenge 3: Nature Up Close ______ Challenge 4: Skill Building ______

Challenge 5: Live Animal ______

Challenge 6: Morning/Afternoon program ______

Challenge 7: Hike Haiku ______ Challenge 8: Burrows and Nests ______

Challenge 9: Aquatic Creatures ______

Challenge 10: Bike Ride ______ Challenge 11: Evening/Night Program ______

Challenge 12: Litter Buster ______

*Remember, to be entered in the raffle, Teams must complete at least 10 of the 12 challenges at four different nature sites in the Rio Grande Valley.

Deadline to complete challenges is August 31.

Short a challenge? Visit different Nature Centers and ask to participate in their “Bonus Challenge”. Remember to include the completed bonus pages in your journals when you submit it at the end of the challenge. Bonus 1 Location:________________________________ Bonus 2 Location:________________________________ Bonus 3 Location:________________________________ Bonus 4 Location:________________________________

Challenge 2: Wet n Wild Activity Visit a nature center/park that provides a water-based activity or sport (ex: splash play, wading, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, etc.). Par-ticipate in the activity with your family. Describe the experience below. Please provide us with proof of your visit (signature or attached/uploaded photos*).

Nature Center/Park: ________________________________________

Nature Center/Park Staff Person*

Printed Name: ____________________________________________

Signature: _________________________________________________

Date: ________________________________ * ALTERNATIVE: Take a photo of your group in front of the entrance sign, landmark or building holding up your “FSAC” Team Sign. Include print of photo or upload to Facebook or your Texas Nature Challenge blog, including team name, site and challenge #.

Stand Up Paddle boarding (SUP) was first known as “surfing for the lazy,” but is now one of the most popular water sports to do in the summer. While SUP has been around for thousands of years, modern SUP originated in Hawaii in the 1940s, then took off in California in the early 2000’s, and is now a favorite water activity for many.

Challenge 3 : Nature Up Close Visit a nature center/park that loans Explorer Packs with hand lenses and/or binoculars. Using those tools (or tools of your own) draw an image of an animal you see up close. Alternatively, you can also take a close-up (macro) photo using a camera. Please provide us with proof of your visit (signature or attached/uploaded photos*).

Jokes What did the big flower say to the small flower? What’s up Bud. Why do scientists think birds hum? Because they can’t remember the words!

Nature Center/Park: ________________________________________

Nature Center/Park Staff Person*

Printed Name: ____________________________________________

Signature: _________________________________________________

Date: ________________________________ * ALTERNATIVE: Take a photo of your group in front of the entrance sign, landmark or building holding up your “FSAC” Team Sign. Include print of photo or upload to Facebook or your Texas Nature Challenge blog, including team name, site and challenge #.

Challenge 12: Litter Buster Help nature by being a litter buster! Using gloves, a poking stick (optional) and a trash bag, pick up discarded plastic and other litter at your favorite nature or outdoor spot. In the space below, de-scribe (or draw) the most surprising piece of trash you found. Please provide us with proof of your visit (signature or attached/uploaded photos*).

250 million tons of trash is generated each year in the U.S.

Litter on the ground degrades natural areas and kills plants and animals.

You can help! Reducing litter is just a 3 step process: stop littering, pick up litter, report if you find someone littering illegally.

Reduce, Reuse, & Recycle

Nature Center/Park: _______________________________________

Nature Center/Park Staff Person*

Printed Name: ___________________________________________

Signature: ________________________________________________

Date: ________________________________ * ALTERNATIVE: Take a photo of your group in front of the entrance sign, landmark or building holding up your “FSAC” Team Sign. Include print of photo or upload to Facebook or your Texas Nature Challenge blog, including team name, site and challenge #.

Challenge 11: Evening / Night Program Visit a nature center/park that hosts an evening or night program or activity. Attend one with your family. Describe (or draw) your experience below. Ask an employee to print, sign, and date this page.

Nature Center/Park: _______________________________________

Nature Center/Park Staff Person

Printed Name: ____________________________________________

Signature: _________________________________________________

Date: ________________________________

During the Summer, the constellations of Aquila and Cygnus, the celestial Eagle and Swan, are high in the western sky. They are seen facing toward each other.

Aquila, the Eagle, contains Altair, one of the closest visible stars to Earth, only 17 light years away. Altair is part of the Summer Triangle, formed together with the bright stars Deneb in Cygnus and Vega in Lyra.

Challenge 4: Skill Building Visit a nature center/park that provides lessons or opportunities to practice a skill (ex: fishing, archery, camping, yoga, etc.) After taking part, describe your experience or what you learned below. Please provide us with proof of your visit (signature or attached/uploaded photos*).

Nature Center/Park: ________________________________________

Nature Center/Park Staff Person*

Printed Name: ____________________________________________

Signature: _________________________________________________

Date: ________________________________ * ALTERNATIVE: Take a photo of your group in front of the entrance sign, landmark or building holding up your “FSAC” Team Sign. Include print of photo or upload to Facebook or your Texas Nature Challenge blog, including team name, site and challenge #.

Fishing is a fun and easy way to spend time in the great outdoors! There are many methods to fishing, such wade and boat fishing, fishing off piers and jetties, bank fishing, and surf fishing.

While several sites will have fishing programs this summer, you can rent fishing equipment from the McAllen Fireman’s Park. No license required.

Challenge 5: Live Animal

Visit a nature center/park that houses and displays animals (indoors or outdoors). In the space be-low, list and describe (or draw) at least one live animal that you saw and learned new information about. Ask an employee to print, sign, and date this page.

In different habitats across South Texas, it is possible to see an American Alligator. This large reptile likes to live in slow-moving rivers, resacas, freshwater ponds and lakes. They are social creatures and are often seen together basking in the sun or taking a swim. Visit South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center to learn more about these fascinating creatures.

Nature Center/Park: ________________________________________

Nature Center/Park Staff Person

Printed Name: ____________________________________________

Signature: _________________________________________________

Date: ________________________________

Challenge 10: Bike Ride Visit a nature center/park that allows bike riding. Visit the park with your family and take your own or rent them from the park and ride the trails. Describe (or draw) the experience you had with your family. Please provide us with proof of your visit (signature or attached/uploaded photos*).

Nature Center/Park: _______________________________________

Nature Center/Park Staff Person*

Printed Name: ___________________________________________

Signature: ________________________________________________

Date: ________________________________ * ALTERNATIVE: Take a photo of your group in front of the entrance sign, landmark or building holding up your “FSAC” Team Sign. Include print of photo or upload to Facebook or your Texas Nature Challenge blog, including team name, site and challenge #.

6 Benefits to learning a new skill:

1. Your brain chemistry changes.

2. Your learning speed increases

3. You make connections between skill areas.

4. You become a more interesting person

5. It fights boredom.

6. You adapt better to change.

Challenge 9: Aquatic Creatures Visit a nature center/park with a pond or stream. Spend a few minutes looking into the water for fish and other animals. Draw or describe at least four (4) species you observed. Please provide us with proof of your visit (signature or attached/uploaded photos*).

Jokes Why Is the snail the strongest animal? Because it carries a house on its back. Why did the tadpole feel lonely? Because he was newt to the area!

Nature Center/Park: _______________________________________

Nature Center/Park Staff Person*

Printed Name: ___________________________________________

Signature: ________________________________________________

Date: ________________________________ * ALTERNATIVE: Take a photo of your group in front of the entrance sign, landmark or building holding up your “FSAC” Team Sign. Include print of photo or upload to Facebook or your Texas Nature Challenge blog, including team name, site and challenge #.

Challenge 6: Morning / Afternoon Program Visit a nature center/park that hosts a morning or afternoon family program or activity. Attend one with your family. Describe your experience or what you learned below. Ask an employee to print, sign, and date this page.

Not only does Palo Alto National Historic Park preserve a part of our South Texas History, it also protect the plants and animal life at the site of the first major battle of U.S.– Mexican War. Over 3,000 acres of undevel-oped coastal prairie are home to many animals including the Texas Tortoise, Aplomado Falcon and Cassin’s Sparrow.

Nature Center/Park: ________________________________________

Nature Center/Park Staff Person

Printed Name: ____________________________________________

Signature: _________________________________________________

Date: ________________________________

Challenge 7: Hike Haiku Visit a nature center/park with walking trails. Take a 30 minute to one hour hike with your family, looking around at the animals, vegetation, and scenic views. Write a Haiku (short Japanese poem) about your experience and all that you saw. Please provide us with proof of your visit (signature or attached/uploaded photos*).

Nature Center/Park: _______________________________________

Nature Center/Park Staff Person*

Printed Name: ___________________________________________

Signature: ________________________________________________

Date: ________________________________ * ALTERNATIVE: Take a photo of your group in front of the entrance sign, landmark or building holding up your “FSAC” Team Sign. Include print of photo or upload to Facebook or your Texas Nature Challenge blog, including team name, site and challenge #.

In Japan, Haikus are poems that are valued for their simplicity, openness, depth and lightness. The rules are that they use exactly 17 syllables, the syllables are arranged in three lines of 5-7-5, they avoid similes and metaphors and they refer to a season of the year.

Challenge 8: Burrows & Nests Visit a nature center/park. Carefully, and without disturbing them, look for nests and burrows made by animals and insects. Draw or describe the shape and features of at least two (2) different ones, and write down what animals you think made them. Please provide us with proof of your visit (signature or attached/uploaded photos*).

Nature Center/Park: _______________________________________

Nature Center/Park Staff Person*

Printed Name: ___________________________________________

Signature: ________________________________________________

Date: ________________________________ * ALTERNATIVE: Take a photo of your group in front of the entrance sign, landmark or building holding up your “FSAC” Team Sign. Include print of photo or upload to Facebook or your Texas Nature Challenge blog, including team name, site and challenge #.

What should you do if you find a baby bird on the ground? Determine if it’s a fledgling (has some feathers) or Nestling (has almost no feathers). If it’s a nestling, do your best to put it back on the nest or the tree it was found under, nestlings can only survive with the parent’s help. If it’s a fledgling, it’s best to leave it where it’s found because the parents are around feeding it and teaching it how to fly.