World Birding Center

The World Birding Center is the official title given to a combined nine parks and nature preserves in the Rio Grande Valley region of Texas managed by a partnership of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the local communities in which the parks reside. The stated mission of the World Birding Center is to “protect native habitat while increasing the understanding and appreciation of the birds and wildlife,” with an additional emphasis on promoting local economic development through ecotourism.

Encompassing over 10,000-acres of preserved land (15-square miles) extending along a 120-mile river corridor between the small town of Roma, Texas, and the outer barrier island of South Padre Island, the park system hosts a large amount of native biodiversity with over 500 recorded species of birds, and serves as potential habitat for locally endangered wild cat species such as the ocelot and jaguarundi, as well as sanctuary for much of the other flora and fauna of the last remaining native Tamaulipan brushland.

The park system currently includes the following nine entities (alphabetical order):

The park is known for impressive bird viewing opportunities with 358 species documented within the park boundaries. The 760 acre park was acquired in 1944 for the price of 1$ U.S. from the Bentsen family with the stipulation that it be used “solely for Public Park purposes.” It was initially preserved from agricultural use by the family due to the presence of beautiful native Ebony trees.

The World Birding Center has its headquarters at this site, and the structures were designed by the Lake Flato architectual firm, known for their attention to sustainable architecture. The resulting buildings and grounds were named one of the top ten green designs for 2006 by the American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment (AIA/COTE).

...
Wikipedia