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Programs
Recurring Programs and Tours
Alamo
Brownsville
Bird Walks at Resaca de la Palma State Park
Every Saturday, 8:30am-11:00am
Casually explore a few of RDLP’s trails and habitats with a park naturalist as you listen and look for the many birds that inhabit our 1200-acre park. Light to moderate walking is required. Trails are ADA accessible. Binoculars are available for rent at our Visitor’s center. For more information please call our office at 956.350.2920.
Butterfly Walks at Resaca de la Palma State Park
Every Saturday, 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Tour our gardens and hot spots for a chance to take fancy in a fluttering friend. This is the perfect tour for wildlife photography. Light walking is required. For more information please call our office at 956.350.2920.
Guided tours of Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma and Fort Brown
Night Hike at Resaca de la Palma State Park
Every Friday Evening RSVP, time varies based on sunset
Ever wondered what creeped and crawled through the night? Grab a flashlight and join a ranger to discover the wonderful nocturnal animals at RDLP. Moderate walking is required. Bring plenty of drinking water and comfortable walking shoes. Please remember to RSVP 5pm Thursday prior. Adults: $6. Children under 12: $2. For more information please call our office at 956.350.2920.
Saturday Zoo School at Gladys Porter Zoo
Natural History Tours with Valley Nature Center and Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge
Van tours are offered from Santa Ana NWR alternating every Wednesday
(from 11/30/12 to 1/23/2013 to three different destinations - the Salt Lakes, a
historic battlefield, and a birding paradise.
Van tours are offered from Santa Ana NWR alternating every Wednesday
(from 11/30/12 to 1/23/2013 to three different destinations - the Salt Lakes, a
historic battlefield, and a birding paradise.
Pre-register & Pay required
$25 per person
Valley Nature Center
956-969-2475
Brownsville
Bird Walks at Resaca de la Palma State Park
Every Saturday, 8:30am-11:00am
Casually explore a few of RDLP’s trails and habitats with a park naturalist as you listen and look for the many birds that inhabit our 1200-acre park. Light to moderate walking is required. Trails are ADA accessible. Binoculars are available for rent at our Visitor’s center. For more information please call our office at 956.350.2920.
Butterfly Walks at Resaca de la Palma State Park
Every Saturday, 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Tour our gardens and hot spots for a chance to take fancy in a fluttering friend. This is the perfect tour for wildlife photography. Light walking is required. For more information please call our office at 956.350.2920.
Guided tours of Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma and Fort Brown
Tours run from December 1st to April 1st. Walk these historic sites and learn
extra details about the causes of the war, why a battle occurred at these sites,
and how the clashes developed. The guided tour schedule is as follows:
Palo Alto Battlefield--Mondays & Wednesdays @ 9:30 a.m., Sundays @ 2:00 p.m.
Resaca de la Palma Battlefield--Wednesdays @ 2:00 p.m., Fridays @ 9:30 a.m.
Fort Brown--Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 11:00 a.m.
For more information about tours call the front desk at 956-541-2785 x333
Re-enactors in Mexican War era clothing and uniforms will perform weapons demonstrations and give talks over Mexican War era topics. Interaction with the re-enactors of welcomed and encouraged.
Night Hike at Resaca de la Palma State Park
Every Friday Evening RSVP, time varies based on sunset
Ever wondered what creeped and crawled through the night? Grab a flashlight and join a ranger to discover the wonderful nocturnal animals at RDLP. Moderate walking is required. Bring plenty of drinking water and comfortable walking shoes. Please remember to RSVP 5pm Thursday prior. Adults: $6. Children under 12: $2. For more information please call our office at 956.350.2920.
Zoo tour, snack, materials and supplies are included in each class. Fee is $15.00 per child or adult and Zoo members pay just $10.00. To register your child for a class please e-mail our Education Department to pre-register or call us at 956-548-WILD (9453). Classes begin at 10:00 a.m. and end at 12:00 p.m.
Edinburg
On the third Friday of each month (summer months programming may differ), different speakers visit to share their knowledge of birds, butterflies, plants, and more! Program and admission are free. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and presentations are from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Programs and Dates:
January 18th: Cavity-nesting Birds- Dr. Brush
February 15th: Compost- Roy Custodio & Priscilla Rodriguez
March 15th: Optics-Dr. Chevy Lee, M.D., P.A.
April 19th: LRGV Cacti- Diann Ballesteros
May 17th: Scorpions- Dr. F. Zaidan
On the last Saturday of the month, door will open for FREE to the public. Throughout the day, there will be activities, short games, and scheduled nature hikes. Binoculars are available free of charge. Free entry does not include fee for concurring programs and activities.
Dates are June 30th,, July 27th, Aug. 31st
The Center is open from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. ; Grounds are open 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Admission is free all day.
Terrific Summer Tuesdays at Edinburg Scenic Wetlands and World Birding Center
Join us every 3rd Tuesday of the month for exciting evening programs. See rgvfamilyplanner for more information.
Dates are June 18th, July 16th, and August 20th
Terrific Summer Tuesdays at Edinburg Scenic Wetlands and World Birding Center
Join us every 3rd Tuesday of the month for exciting evening programs. See rgvfamilyplanner for more information.
Dates are June 18th, July 16th, and August 20th
Created for families with children ages 1-4. Visit our site and surround yourself in our natural world. We would like you to join us in hands-on, interactive play for you and your children. Activities can include puppet shows, story telling,
puzzle time, free play, coloring, and guided walks throughout our grounds.
Program dates are March 23rd - Frogs, April 20th - Butterflies, May 18th - Flowers
Time: 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Fee : EWBC admission - Adults $3, Children & Seniors $2
Harlingen
Downtown Harlingen Walking Tours
A free, roughly hour-long tour, which starts at 9 a.m. at the Java Café, 204 E.
Jackson, every Saturday except the first Saturday of each month, which is Market
Days. The tours will run from Oct. 13 through March 30. It’s first come, first serve.
Walkers should wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather.
Harlingen
Downtown Harlingen Walking Tours
A free, roughly hour-long tour, which starts at 9 a.m. at the Java Café, 204 E.
Jackson, every Saturday except the first Saturday of each month, which is Market
Days. The tours will run from Oct. 13 through March 30. It’s first come, first serve.
Walkers should wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather.
McAllen
Birds of Beauty: McAllen Nature Center Tours*
Discover the lush native habitat of Quinta Mazatlan and the McAllen Nature
Center (also known as the old Botanical Gardens). This guided bird walk is a
chance to bird a part of the Rio Grande Valley that few get to see and we will be
on the lookout for rarities! Tours depart from Quinta Mazatlan. Space is limited,
please reserve your spot at Quinta Mazatlan.
Occurs on the 3rd Saturday of each month October - March from 8:30 - 11 a.m.
Fee is $7 ; Space is limited, please reserve your spot early.
Buckets of Fun at Quinta Mazatlan*
Preschool children (ages 2-5) and their parents will have BUCKETS OF FUN with hands-on, nature inspired lessons filled with song, discovery, socializing, movement, and exploration! Adults and children must dress for outdoor activities.
Thursdays, October- April, Time: 10:00 am-11:00 am
$2 for participating children & $3 for adults
No reservations required.
2016 Spring Schedule
January:
14- Welcome to the Forest!
21- Slow & Fast- How Does it Move?
28- Nature Artists
February:
4- Touch and Feel Nature
11- We Love Feeding Birds!
18- We Love Trees and Leaves!
25- 5, 6, Pick Up Stick!
March:
3- Let's Rock with Rocks!
17- Peek-a-Boo, I See You- Camouflage
24- Leaves & Flowers, Stems & Roots
31- Springtime is Planting Time
April:
14- Butterflies & Ladybugs!
21- Picnic in Nature
Discover the lush native habitat of Quinta Mazatlan and the McAllen Nature
Center (also known as the old Botanical Gardens). This guided bird walk is a
chance to bird a part of the Rio Grande Valley that few get to see and we will be
on the lookout for rarities! Tours depart from Quinta Mazatlan. Space is limited,
please reserve your spot at Quinta Mazatlan.
Occurs on the 3rd Saturday of each month October - March from 8:30 - 11 a.m.
Fee is $7 ; Space is limited, please reserve your spot early.
Buckets of Fun at Quinta Mazatlan*
Preschool children (ages 2-5) and their parents will have BUCKETS OF FUN with hands-on, nature inspired lessons filled with song, discovery, socializing, movement, and exploration! Adults and children must dress for outdoor activities.
Thursdays, October- April, Time: 10:00 am-11:00 am
$2 for participating children & $3 for adults
No reservations required.
2016 Spring Schedule
January:
14- Welcome to the Forest!
21- Slow & Fast- How Does it Move?
28- Nature Artists
February:
4- Touch and Feel Nature
11- We Love Feeding Birds!
18- We Love Trees and Leaves!
25- 5, 6, Pick Up Stick!
March:
3- Let's Rock with Rocks!
17- Peek-a-Boo, I See You- Camouflage
24- Leaves & Flowers, Stems & Roots
31- Springtime is Planting Time
April:
14- Butterflies & Ladybugs!
21- Picnic in Nature
Chic-Fil-A Family Nights
Dates and Times Vary - 10th St Location Events Calendar (other Valley locations
don't offer an online events calendar - must call individual locations for more
information)
Garden Walk & Talk at Quinta Mazatlan*
Drop in to chat and walk with a garden expert. Enjoy the themed garden walks with interesting stories about plants and gardens. Each month the topic will change based on the season.
Wednesdays, 10:00am to 11:00am, October through April.
The fee for this walk is included in admission - $2 per senior, $3 per adult.
History of Quinta Mazatlan Tour*
Bring your friends and tour one of the largest adobe homes in the state of Texas. Hear about the tales of the families that built and lived at Quinta Mazatlan for a total of 60 years before the City of McAllen purchased the estate and opened it in 2006 as a mansion with a mission.
Fridays, 10:00 - 11:00, October through April. Private bookings available.
The fee for this walk is included in admission - $2 per senior, $3 per adult.
Lakeshore Stores Free Craft Day
Palette Painters Kids Art Classes at McAllen Creative IncubatorDrop in to chat and walk with a garden expert. Enjoy the themed garden walks with interesting stories about plants and gardens. Each month the topic will change based on the season.
Wednesdays, 10:00am to 11:00am, October through April.
The fee for this walk is included in admission - $2 per senior, $3 per adult.
History of Quinta Mazatlan Tour*
Bring your friends and tour one of the largest adobe homes in the state of Texas. Hear about the tales of the families that built and lived at Quinta Mazatlan for a total of 60 years before the City of McAllen purchased the estate and opened it in 2006 as a mansion with a mission.
Fridays, 10:00 - 11:00, October through April. Private bookings available.
The fee for this walk is included in admission - $2 per senior, $3 per adult.
Lakeshore Stores Free Craft Day
Every Saturday from 11:00 am. to 3:00 p.m.
Art classes to kids 5 years old and up...we are looking for kids who want to improve their skills in drawing, painting, sculpting, working in wood, glass, clay and plastic.
Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 3-6 PM
Price is $15 / class or $80 / month (8) lessons
Contact Karen Norberg at 941-623-3720 or karen@astonna.com for more information.
Songbird Stroll at Quinta Mazatlan*
Did you know that 230 species of birds have been seen at Quinta Mazatlan since 2006? Guests will see, hear and be with birds from the valley and beyond. Enjoy a walk through the woods observing and hearing local birds with an expert naturalist.
Tuesdays & Saturdays 8:00- 9:30 am August through April
The fee for this walk is included in admission - $2 per senior, $3 per adult.
* Groups with 15 or more are required to call in advance and schedule a Private Tour. For more information visit the Private Tours page
Mission
Butterfly Walks at Bentsen-RGV State Park
Watch and identify beautiful wild butterflies on a guided hike through the park gardens. Tropical rarities are always possible! Programs free with park entrance.
Every Thursday through February 2013 from 3 - 4 p.m.
Creatures of the Night at Bentsen-RGV State Park
Look and listen for nocturnal wildlife with our naturalists. Fun for the whole family! Limit 20 participants. Pre-registration required. Call the park at 956-584-9156 to confirm times for this program.
Every Saturday, December 2012 to February 2013 from 6 - 8 p.m.
Dragonfly Walks at Bentsen-RGV State Park
Dragonflies & Damselflies are some of nature’s most beautiful but fearsome flying predators. Join us as we explore the park’s wetlands to seek out these interesting creatures. Programs free with park entrance.
Every Thursday through February 2013 from 1 - 3 p.m.
Port Isabel
Port Isabel Historic Ghost Tours*
Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m.
One hour walking tour begins at the Port Isabel Lighthouse. Cost is $10 per person. Tickets available at the Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce, City Hall and Museums of Port Isabel. For more information and to confirm tour time please contact the Chamber office at 943-2262.
More ghost tours are added during spring break and summer
Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m.
One hour walking tour begins at the Port Isabel Lighthouse. Cost is $10 per person. Tickets available at the Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce, City Hall and Museums of Port Isabel. For more information and to confirm tour time please contact the Chamber office at 943-2262.
More ghost tours are added during spring break and summer
