Latino Conservation Week Schedule of Activities at the NBC
(Mission, TX) – This Saturday, July 17, from 9 AM – Noon, the National Butterfly Center in Mission, Texas, will kick off its first full week of activities in celebration of Latino Conservation Week. Launched by the Hispanic Access Foundation, this annual event is intended to break down barriers for Latino communities to access public lands and waters, encourage new opportunities for engagement and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.
Activities will be a mix of in-person and virtual events, for children and adults, with a focus on highlighting many of the creatures and features of the natural world that are central to vibrant communities and healthy families.
“The Rio Grande Valley is one of the most remarkable places in the nation,” asserts Marianna Treviño Wright, executive director of the National Butterfly Center. “We have a wealth of natural resources worth preserving, a burgeoning, brilliant population of young people, and a landscape that is rapidly changing due to population growth and economic development, some of which is exploitative and potentially harmful. So, we’ve put together a robust roster of environmental programs by educators and activists to shine a light on issues that are relevant to this region, with a nod to the past and a look toward the future.”
All of this week’s activities are free and open to the public. Virtual activities may be accessed online, regardless of physical location. Registration for virtual events, such as the poetry and expressive language workshop with 2020 Texas Poet Laureate Emmy Perez, and the EcoMadres introduction to the organization and legislative agenda, is required and available on Eventbrite, with links on the Home Page of the National Butterfly Center website. In-person events do not require registration, however, anyone over the age of 17 wishing to fish the Rio Grande on Saturday, July 24, must have a valid Texas Fishing License. Licenses are not necessary for children, and youth fishing poles will be provided along with basic angler education. For questions or assistance regarding any of the scheduled events, please call 956-583-5400 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Full Schedule: LATINO CONSERVATION WEEK at the National Butterfly Center
Saturday, July 17: OPEN HOUSE. 9 AM – Noon, Featuring:
"Wild RGV" with Texas Game Wardens
Marie Montalvo, Birding with Tia
Luciano Guerra, Conservation Photography with Chano
Camille Marie, “Magical” Plants of El Mesteño
Ernest Herrera, Bees Knees
Victoria Cappadona, South Texas’ Tree of Life
Stephanie Lopez, De Colores son las Flores
Nestor Gonzalez, Building a Better (Natural) World
Sunday, July 18: Young Voices in Conservation, 4 PM - 5 PM (VIRTUAL)
Speakers Panel with Naturalists Stephanie Lopez, Ernest Herrera, Giselle Garza & Alex Meza, regarding ‘green’ careers in conservation, education, and following your passion
Monday, July 19: The Beauty Before Us: Poetry from Nature Workshop with Emmy Perez, 2020 Texas State Poet Laureate, 6 - 7:30 PM (VIRTUAL)
6 - 7 PM (VIRTUAL) including a 2020-2021 Texas Legislative Session Update
Thursday, July 22: Ay Mariposa Documentary Screening at the National Butterfly Center, with Zulema Hernandez & Marianna Trevino Wright, 6:30 – 8 PM
Friday, July 23: Under the South Texas Sky: Night Hike, Black-lighting and Star-gazing, 8:30 - 10:00 PM
SUNDAY, July 24: Vamos a Pescar! (Fishing the Rio Grande), 8 - 10 AM
To learn more about the National Butterfly Center, and how you can join us, visit www.nationalbutterflycenter.org. Your annual membership or charitable gift impacts the beauty of our community and helps preserve the biologically diverse, natural treasures of deep South Texas.
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The National Butterfly Center is committed to ‘Growing Connections’ between people, plants, and the winged wonders that pollinate and propagate all that grows around us. We do this through educational and environmental initiatives that cultivate meaningful understanding of the processes that create sustainable ecosystems. The Center is open to the public, for visitors and members, seven days/week.
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