Texas Opens World Birding Center On the Rio Grande River

It was ten years in the making, but Texas' project to promote birding and nature tourism, as well as restore wildlife habitat, is finally off the ground. The only portion of the Center yet to open is the Resaca de la Palma State Park, near Brownsville, although construction is slated for completion in the fall of 2007.

The Center is located in the lower Rio Grande Valley and is comprised of nine sites strung along 120 miles of the river's corridor. It includes nearly all types of habitat in the area, including riparian woodlands and saltwater flats, each attracting an incredible diversity of bird species.

In all, more than 500 species, including the kiskadee, Altamira oriole and green jay have been documented in the areas encompassed by the World Birding Center. There are six individual sites currently operating as part of the Center.

Resaca de la Palma will feature 1,700 semitropical acres etched by ancient curves of the Rio Grande that will nicely complement the other WBC sites, Russell Fishbeck, the South Texas region's state parks director, said in a press release from the state. "The managers of the various World Birding Center sites have worked pretty well together when they've needed to share staff and other resources," he said. "It's hard to pinpoint the visitation numbers throughout the network, but the sites are really starting to connect with the local customer base through school programs and family nature events."

"The World Birding Center," said Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Executive Director Robert L. Cook, "is important for wildlife conservation and sustainable economic development, but its lasting impact may come through youth involvement and education. The Lower Rio Grande Valley is one of the most biologically diverse ecological regions in North America and a critical migratory stopover point for birds that move between the Americas. Yet, more than three-quarters of the region's original wildlife habitat has been replaced by human development. The WBC showcases ways to restore and protect habitat while providing a tourism destination that puts people directly in touch with nature and wildlife."

The birding center at Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park is near the city of Misison. The Estero Llano Grande State Park birding center, in Weslaco, features nearly 200 acres of wetlands that are ideal for birds and other wildlife. Both are managed and run by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The other six sites in operation are run by local communities in Edinburg, Harlingen, Hidalgo, McAllen, Roma and South Padre Island.

The headquarters is a $7 million facility that includes a lecture hall, exhibit hall, coffee bar, gift shop and administrative offices. Bird-watching enthusiasts will a hawk-viewing tower, bird-viewing blinds, a flooded habitat that draws butterflies and birds and miles of hiking trails. More than 300 bird and almost 200 butterfly species have been documented at this 760-acre sanctuary alone

It is estimated that wildlife watchers from outside the area are already generating more than $100 million in revenue annually for the region by visiting the bird-watching facilities.

The World Birding Center's covers a huge diversity of habitat. Edinburg Scenic Wetlands is located in a relatively urban landscape and features 40 acres of shallow ponds to attract shorebirds and waterbirds. Harlingen's Arroyo Colorado has hiking and biking trails on 55-acre Hugh Ramsey Park, and among the birds visitors have a chance to see is the red-crowned parrot. If hummingbirds and butterflies are your thing, make sure to visit Old Hidalgo Pumphouse. Near McAllen airport, Quinta Mazatlan is headquartered in a Spanish-style adobe home built in the 1930s. Since it opened, more than 20,000 people have visited this facility alone, which offers a chance to see more than 100 species of exotic and native trees. Furthest to the west is Roma Bluffs, which occupies the old plaza for a city that was once a steamboat port, believe it or not. South Padre Island and Nature Center has a 10,000-square-foot visitor center and birding blinds.

If you're into birding, and are headed through Texas anytime soon, make sure you stop by the new World Birding Center...you'll be glad you did.