National Butterfly Center, Mission Texas, a project of the North American Butterfly Association.

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Up Against the Wall: Three Species Vie for Survival in the Rio Grande Floodplain

As published in Texas Field Notes, October 2018.

The Rio Grande Valley is not a valley, at all.

It’s a surprisingly-flat of rock, sand and clay spilling into the mouth of the Laguna Madre, at the Gulf of Mexico.

It’s an international divide, fluid and powerful as the trade winds and migratory pathways of the creatures that have crossed it for millennia.

It’s a boisterous, bubbling-over of electric, neotropical birds and azure, velvet butterflies; a blinding blast of shimmering brass and a colorful, melodious cascade that shamelessly sings Canciones de mi Padre.

More than the heat and the spice, the dust and the dollars, the Rio Grande Valley is home to some of the most humble and hospitable people in the world. In spite of oppressive poverty and hardscrabble gains, residents welcome all comers with ‘Mi casa es su casa.’ Ironically, the United States gleefully embraces margaritas, mariachis and Cinco de Mayo, but refuses to adopt the mentality of the venerable culture that spawned all this.

Now, President Trump has secured funding to cleave the Valley in two, dividing the land from the people and the river that so richly supplies us.

Help Us Reclaim the River, Sunday, August 12

(Mission, Texas) – Sunday, August 12, from 9 am – 2 pm, the National Butterfly Center in Mission, Texas, will host Reclaim the River, a free, family-friendly event to promote the enjoyment of the Rio Grande River, and educate the public about this remarkable natural resource.

“The Rio Grande used to be a vibrant recreational area that contributed so much to our economy and quality of life,” states Marianna Trevino Wright, executive director of the National Butterfly Center. “While much in South Texas is changing, the river should remain a treasure for environmental tourism and outdoor sport. For this reason, we’re inviting everyone to come play for the day, at our ‘beach party’ on the riverbank!”

Planned activities include sand sculpting by the award-winning artist, Sandyfeet of South Padre Island; Segway test drives by SegValley; guided nature hikes; angler education and fishing for youth; Project WILD Aquatic lessons; guerrilla gardening for pollinators; tug o’ war; a wildlife petting zoo; pet adoptions by Mission Pawsible; and a blessing of the river and the flotilla by Father Roy Snipes of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. All boaters are welcome to join us, above Anzalduas Dam, upriver from Riverside Club, to receive this blessing.

All of these activities will take place on the center’s property south of the levee, where cyclists and joggers are welcome! Families are encouraged to bring their bikes, beach chairs and a picnic.

Healthy dogs on leash are also welcome for one day, only.

Community Invited to Sleep Over Under the Stars

(Mission, Texas) – This summer, the National Butterfly Center in Mission, Texas, will open to the general public for tent camping on a limited basis. The Community Camp Outs will take place on June 23, July 14 and August 11. These Saturday-night sleep overs under the stars will take place from 6 pm – 8 am, and cost $40 per tent. There will be planned outdoor activities led by staff of the National Butterfly Center, such as a night hike, owl hunt, and black lighting for insects and moths. A community camp fire will be provided for those who wish to enjoy a rustic camp experience, and of course, s’mores for everyone!

Build-a-Bat(house) Workshop

(Mission, Texas) – Bats are beneficial to our neighborhoods and the health of our communities, but they are all too often misunderstood and villainized. Of the more than 1,100 species of bats in the world, only three are vampire bats; the rest consume nectar, fruit and insects. In fact, a single bat can consume up to 600 mosquitoes in one hour!

Most prevalent in the Rio Grande Valley are the Brazilian or Mexican Free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis), with the largest urban colony currently located in Mission, Texas, at Expressway 83 and Conway. These highly social creatures like to roost communally, with communities divided into nurseries for mothers and pups, and bachelor pads for males. This mammal finds warmth and protection in group homes, where fresh water and food resources may be found; so, they are commonly found in residential neighborhoods, as well as in the wild.

“Bats are pretty amazing,” asserts Marianna Trevino-Wright, executive director of the National Butterfly Center. “They are already returning to the area for spring and may be observed on the wing when the sun goes down. We’re lucky to have them because they pollinate native plants and consume millions of night-flying mosquitoes that can spread disease. We hope this workshop will help people gain a greater appreciation for bats so they do not fear them, but have a healthy respect for them.”

The National Butterfly Center is hosting a bat education and house-building workshop on Saturday, March 24, from 10 AM – 12 PM. Everyone is invited to join our guest speaker, Michael Blount, of Bat Conservation International, in the Chrysalis Visitor’s Pavilion to learn all about the good, the bad and the glorious aspects of these fascinating creatures.

Texas Chefs Association Delights Visitors to the Texas Butterfly Festival

(Mission, TX) – Did you know one of every three bites of food you eat is produced by a pollinator? Members of the RGV Chapter of the Texas Chefs’ Association do! That is why they celebrate the butterflies, birds and bees at the 22nd Annual Texas Butterfly Festival.

For the fifth straight year, these culinary artists will prepare the freshest and most flavorful foods South Texas has to offer for visitors from all over the world. Under the leadership of chapter director, Dustin Stair, both established and rising stars on the local restaurant scene will showcase their talents at the festival’s Keynote Speaker’s Banquet, featuring Sam Jaffe, creator of The Caterpillar Lab.

“Great food makes for a great the party,” explains Chef Stair, “We look forward to the Texas Butterfly Festival every year because the folks who attend have come here to pursue their passion. They are all so excited to enjoy world-class butterflying and experiences in the outdoors, but don’t necessarily come expecting world-class food. This is where we get to shine and share our passion with a sophisticated audience that really appreciates artistry and good taste.”