 |
Open House
at Bahia Grande Unit
While habitat restoration continues at this refuge unit south of State Highway 100, refuge staff are planning some open houses as a way to have the public enjoy this area.
The first Open House is scheduled on February 13. The public will have an opportunity to drive their vehicles through the unit and view the coastal prairies and fresh and saltwater bays from 10 - 2. Several stations will be set up to enhance the experience.
Details on this event are below.
16th Annual Ocelot Conservation Day & 5K Run
To bring awareness to this endangered cat that shares the valley forests, Laguna Atascosa and the Friends of Laguna Atascosa have come together for many years to offer this public event. For 2016, we are partnering with the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville on March 5, from 10-4. A live ocelot, or two, will be on hand from the Cincinnati Zoo, for several presentations. There will also be exhibits about ocelots, and fun activities for the kids. Ocelot Conservation Day is FREE with zoo admission and is the only way to see an ocelot up close in the valley.
In addition, Friends of Laguna Atascosa is partnering with 2 Run Crew LLC to sponsor the 2nd Annual Ocelot 5K Run and 1 K Fun Walk on March 5. This event is a fundraiser for ocelot conservation. Tickets go on sale Jan 31 and will sell out fast, so don't delay if you are interested. Details at http://www.2runcrew.org/
Bayside Drive Construction
Funding for Buena Vista Road
Cameron County's grant application has been approved to redo Buena Vista Rd (this is the refuge's entrance road that comes off FM106). Plans include for the road to be widened and resurfaced, the drainage improved, and safety measures installed to protect ocelots and other wildlife from vehicle strikes. This construction is scheduled to take place in 2018. Soon it will be a smooth ride all the way to the refuge!
|
SMILE! The Friends of Laguna Atascosa are on AmazonSmile
Select them as your non-profit
organization
and every time you shop Amazon will donate 0.5% of
your
purchase price to The Friends of Laguna Atascosa- at no cost to you!
|
|
January & February
Programs at the Refuge
Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge
22688 Buena Vista Road, Los Fresnos, TX 78566
Refuge open daily sunrise - sunset
Visitor Center & Friends Nature Store
Open 8 am - 4 pm
Thurs. - Monday (May - Sept.)
Daily (October - April)
FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH
Enjoy the refuge trails free of charge all day on the first Sunday of every month. Please check in at the Visitor Center to get a required vehicle pass.
Habitat Tours of the
Bayside Drive
9 - 12 & 1 - 4 Everyday through February
Enjoy a guided tour through the habitats of the refuge including thornscrub forest, coastal prairie, wetlands and the scenic Laguna Madre on our open air tram. Discover the history of the refuge - both natural and cultural, see how lands are being managed for wildlife, and view the special wildlife that call deep south Texas home. Binoculars recommended. There will be 3-4 stops with short, optional walks. Tickets CASH or CHECK ONLY $4 for adults (16+), $3 seniors (62+), under 16 free. Tickets sold first come, first served the day of the tour. Call for more information.
Bird Tours
8:30 - 12 Daily through March
Take our van to birding hot spots on the refuge where private vehicles are not allowed. This tour will offer many opportunities to see waterbirds and raptors. Reservations required, call 956-748-3607 ext. 108 or 956-244-2019. $4 for adults (16+), $3 seniors (62+), under 16 free.
Bird Walks
2-3 pm Daily through March
Discover some of south Texas' specialty birds on a short, easy walk around the visitor center. Wheelchair accessible. FREE with entrance fee.
Bike Tour of Bahia Grande
1 - 4 Saturdays through March
Get some exercise and enjoy the natural scenery on this ~ 7.5 mile guided tour of the refuge's Bahia Grande Unit. This is a leisurely ride as a group along a caliche trail through coastal prairies and salt water bays. Great for families! Recommended items to bring are insect repellant, water bottle, patch kit, air pump and helmet. Reservations required, call 956-244-2019. Cash or check only $4 for adults (16+), $3 seniors (62+), under 16 free.
OPEN HOUSE - Bahia Grande Unit
Saturday, February 13, 10 - 2
Visitors will have the opportunity to see this area as it's being restored. A one-way 7 mile caliche road will be open for visitors to drive through the unit where they will pass through coastal prairies, salt water bays and some freshwater wetlands. Several stations will be available for viewing birds, learning about the history and restoration work and getting a fishing lesson. Binoculars and cameras are recommended. Larger, high clearance vehicles are recommended. Low vehicles may not be allowed to enter. Entrance for the Open House will be on State Highway 48, 4 miles south of State Highway 100 between Port Isabel and Brownsville. Call 956-244-2019 for more information. FREE
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to providing access for all participants. Please direct all requests for sign language interpreting services, close captioning, or other accommodation needs to Marion Mason, [email protected]], TTY 800-877-8339 with your request by 4 pm 2 weeks before the event.
|
|
|
~ Ocelot Conservation Day and 5K Ocelot Run
~ Bahia Grande Open House
~ Bayside Drive Construction
~ Funding for Buena Vista Rd
~ AmazonSmile
~ Refuge tour schedule and information
|
The last remaining ocelots
in the
Unites States are found only in Texas. You can help save these beautiful endangered cats and help spread the word about protecting Texas Ocelots by buying this specialty license plate for your vehicle for only $30.00 additional. The non-profit organization, Friends of Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge .org, will receive $22 from the sale of every Save Texas Ocelots license plate, 100% of which will go to Ocelot Conservation. Plates can be purchased at any time and fees will be prorated. We thank YOU for helping keep ocelots thriving as part of our Great Texas Natural Heritage. To learn more go to
www.savetexasocelots.org
|
Stay Connected
by following
"Viva the Ocelot!"
on Facebook!
|
|
Adopt an Ocelot
To learn more about the Adopt-an-Ocelot Program
click here!
|
|
Your donations help an oce-LOT!
The ocelot conservation program at Laguna Atascosa relies heavily on funds from generous donors. Here's a glimpse into what your donations could help fund
:
A donation of $250 is enough to fund a radio (VHF) collar.
A donation of $600 is enough to fund a trail camera.
A donation of $2,500 is enough to fund a GPS collar.
To help conserve ocelots by making a donation, visit the
donation page
.
|
|
|
|
