Introduction to nature in the rio grande valley
- 1. Introduction to Nature in the Rio Grande Valley Adventure awaits !
- 2. 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
- 3. 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
- 4. Outdoor Adventure in the Valley Biking & Hiking Canoeing & Kayaking Hawk Tower & Tree Walks Wildlife (& Plant life) Observation Fishing & Boating Motorized Touring Native & Organic Gardening
- 5. 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
- 6. 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
- 7. Roma Bluffs World Birding Center USFWS site National Historic Site: Bluffs of Old Plaza ACTIVITIES Bird Watching Historical Tours Roma Days, Oct 2 nd Stewardship Programs Canoeing (suspended)
- 8. Rancho Lomitas Benito and Toni Trevinos 77 acre ranch in Starr Co. Tamaulipan brushland Includes: Bed & Breakfast Native Plant Tours On site Nursery RV sites
- 9. Bentsen 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
- 10. 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
- 11. 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
- 12. 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
- 13. 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
- 14. 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
- 15. 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)
- 16. 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
- 17. Valley Nature Center Valleys 1 st Environmental Education Center New Facility soon! ACTIVITIES EE & Nature Programs Valley Birding Trips Kids Nature Club Speaker Series Deadwood, Oct. 8 & 15
- 18. 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
- 19. 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
- 20. 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)
- 21. 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
- 22. Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge Thorn forest, freshwater wetlands, coastal prairies, mudflats and beaches. ACTIVITIES Motor Tours Biking Kayak Program Wildlife Watching
- 23. 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 25 th - Anniversary
- 24. Bird/Butterfly Watching Resources Butterfly Guides Plant Guides Bird Guides
- 25. 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
- 26. Let The Adventure Begin!