Rio Grande Valley Birds: RGV Nature Parks and Wildlife Refuges

The National Butterfly Center is the flagship operation of the North American Butterfly Association, building connections between people and wildlife. This location is known for its variety of native and migrant birds, as well as its large number of butterfly species.

The Valley Nature Center's 6 acre park is home to a wide variety of the LRGV's native plants and animals. Many plants were transplanted during the past 25 years to this protected area from sites which were slated for development. There is an on-going effort to enhance the plant diversity of the park. This aim is for protection of local plant species diversity as well as to make diverse food and habitat available for resident and migratory wildlife. By strolling the 1 mile of trails of the Nature Park, one may examine plant species native to such diverse areas as the Sabal Palm Grove, Arroyo Colorado Brush, the Barretal, Coastal Lomas, and the Chihuahuan Thorn Forest.

Established in 1943 for the protection of migratory birds, Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge happens to be positioned along an east-west and north-south juncture of two major migratory routes for many bird species. It is also at the northern-most point for many species whose range extends south into Central and South America. The refuge is right in the middle of all this biological diversity, which is what makes this 2,088 acre parcel the ‘jewel of the National Wildlife Refuge System.’ Though small in size, Santa Ana offers visitors an opportunity to see birds, butterflies and many other species not found anywhere else in the United States beyond deep South Texas.

The Sabal Palm Sanctuary is located in Brownsville, in the southernmost tip of Texas. It contains one of the last vestiges of original Sabal Palm forest in the U.S. The Sanctuary provides breeding habitat for many endangered or high-priority birds.

The refuge was established in 1946 to provide habitat for wintering waterfowl and other migratory birds, principally redhead ducks. Today, there is an expanded emphasis that includes endangered species conservation and management for shorebirds. The refuge is a premiere bird-watching destination with more recorded species of birds than any other refuge in the National Wildlife Refuge System. The largest population in the United States of ocelots calls the refuge home, making it the center for conservation and recovery efforts for this endangered cat.

Yturria Brush is an 1,800 acre tract that is west of La Joya, Texas and is off Hwy 83. It represents upland thorn scrub habitat provides excellent wildlife watching and nature photography opportunties. The hiking/walking trails are accessible by foot only. There is a designated parking lot and informational kiosk.