Roma Bluffs

Roma, Texas is a small city in Starr County and is located along the Rio Grande.  Roma is also well know for its historic structures, such as 



Founded in 1765, Roma, was originally utilized as  access from Mexico.  The Roma-Miguel Aleman International Suspention Bridge was built in 1928 and is now a National Historic Landmark in the United States, but currently out of service.  

The Los Ebanos Ferry can carry three cars, is hand-operated and ranges across the Rio Grande between Los Ebanos,Texas  and Gustavo Diaz Ordaz, Tamaulipas. 

  La Santa Cruz, spanish for the "The Holy Cross" can be found on the Loma de La Cruz hill off U.S. 83 about 4 miles east of Rio Grande City. The cross was built on this hill to commemorates the rain that broke a drought.  This historic religious landmark belongs to the Roman Catholic faith, which happens to be the dominant religion of the Rio Grande Valley.

Texas General Land Office

The Texas General Land Office was established in 1837 to keep record of land grants and maps; also to trace the history of our lone star state land. 

One of the GLO's primary responsibilities is to keep track of mineral and energy development. Oil spill prevention and response is our 

South Texas' office main duty.

Protecting our bay, requires everybody's participation. The GLO is constantly examining abandoned vessels, tracking down owners and preventing any further oil spills from happening.  The GLO has also created areas for people to properly dispose of  old oil in hopes that having this option will cutdown on spills. 

Estero Llano Grande & Arroyo Colorado

Estero Llano Grande State Park is one of the various bird watching centers in the Rio Grande Valley. This park is located in Weslaco, Texas and covers over 230 acres. 

This wetland environment offers protection to hundreds of different species of birds. 

The marshy woodland in this park is part of the Arroyo Colorado. Some areas of the park have been generated into islands and wetland as part of restoration project.

Jack rabbits, chachalacas, butterflies, and cactus are a few amongst the abundant amount of animals and plants growing in the park.

Palo Alto & Laguna Atascosa

On July 16th our Environmental Education Methods ( EDCI 6346) class took a field trip to Palo Alto Battlefield and National Historical Park.

One hundred sixty nine years ago, the territorial battle between the United States and  Mexico took place in our very own backyard. This war changed our Northern American map. The plain of Palo Alto was a natural battlefield because of its  low-lying, coastal land encompassing  natural tree covered rises, which is probably the inspiration for the name "Palo Alto" (tall trees).

  

The battlefield today has been able to maintain its vast plain of 3,400 acres and has transformed into a natural habitat for various plant and animal life. Cactus, Mesquite trees,  and Agave Americana (aloe) are just a few plants now found at this site.  While walking the trails created through the battlefield you might come across rattlesnakes, bobcats, or coyotes.  

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 The Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge is home to an assortment  wildlife and plants covering over 97,000 acres. Originally established  to create habitats for different migratory birds, the park has now developed into preserving habitats and life of endangered animals such as the Ocelot. 

 

 A portion of this refuge is open to public for wildlife related activities like wildlife watching, hunting, fishing, photography and kayaking.

Osprey Overlook- One of several bird watching lookouts on the refuge.

Palmito Ranch Battlefield

Palmito Ranch Battlefield National Landmark, located on State Hwy 4, was known as the "Last Land Battle" of the American Civil War. 

Days after Robert E. Lee surrendered this battle was  fought on May 12-13, 1865 . The battle took place on the banks of Rio Grande, east of Brownsville.

This protected historic ground covers over 5,400 acres of salty, marshy prairie land; home to various plants and animals such as Mesquite trees which are not native to our region but have been brought to the U.S. through animal spreading. U.S. Fish & Wildlife and the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge work together to preserve this land.



Sabal Palm Grove Sanctuary

The Sabal Palm Grove Sanctuary covers an estimated 557 acres of land. This nature preserve is located in Brownsville, Tx on the edge of our Rio Grande River. 

Being one of the last areas of the Valley to possess an abundant amount of Sabal Palms, it's also a main bird and butterfly watching venue. The sanctuary is a breeding habitat to many endangered birds. They've even created a live bird feeder cam!

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This sanctuary is also home to the historic 1892 Rabb plantation house. The mansion, built by Frank and Lillian Rabb in 1891 functioned as a small self sufficient city during the steamboat era.

 The Gorgas Science Foundation of Brownsville has presided over the land since and has created a visitor and education center.