Introduction to nature in the rio grande valley
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Transcript of Introduction to nature in the rio grande valley
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!