Valley Nature Center
{{Short description|Nature preserve and park in Texas, U.S.}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox park
| name = Valley Nature Center
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| type = nature preserve, cactus garden
| location = Gibson Park, Weslaco, Hidalgo County, Texas
|map = Texas
| coords = {{coord|26|9|33.05|N|97|59|49.7|W|type:landmark_region:US-TX|display=inline,title}}
| area = 6 acre
| created = 1984
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| open = Yes
| website = {{URL|http://www.valleynaturecenter.org}}
}}
Valley Nature Center is a 6-acre park and nature preserve in Gibson City Park, Weslaco, Texas. Its focus is environmental education about the natural history of the Lower Rio Grande Valley.
The center's activities include a summer camp, weekly programs for all ages, birding trips, natural history classes and lectures. There are programs for individuals, children and adults. There is a native plant nursery with plants for sale, a conservation resource library and a gift shop.
History
Valley Nature Center has been in operation as a non-profit organization since 1984 and a new building was opened in 2014.{{cite web|title=Amid delays, Weslaco launches probe of Valley Nature Center project|url=http://www.themonitor.com/news/local/amid-delays-weslaco-launches-probe-of-valley-nature-center-project/article_907c964a-7cba-11e3-bff0-0019bb30f31a.html|publisher=The Monitor|accessdate=9 September 2016|date=January 13, 2014}} Formed from a vacant lot, the site now includes a 1 mile trail through a cactus garden, bog ponds, and butterfly garden.
Fauna
Insects, birds and animals that have been seen include Malachite butterfly and Melanis pixe butterfly, plain chachalaca, green jays, great kiskadees, buff-bellied hummingbird, Texas tortoise, Texas horned lizard, and Eastern Cottontail Rabbit. The park is considered a good site to view migrating birds and butterflies.{{cite web|title=Rio Grande Valley Butterfly Trail|url=http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabast/hotspots.html|publisher=North American Butterfly Association South Texas|accessdate=9 September 2016}}{{cite web|title=Valley Nature Center|url=http://www.easybirder.co.uk/Valley_Nature_center.html|publisher=Birding Sites in South Texas|accessdate=9 September 2016}}{{cite web|title=Valley Nature Center, Weslaco, TX|url=http://markteri.blogspot.com/2011/01/valley-nature-center-weslaco-tx.html|publisher=Mark & Terri's Travels|accessdate=9 September 2016|date=January 8, 2011}}
Botanical collection
Botanical collection includes species native to Sabal Palm Grove, Arroyo Colorado brush, the Barretal, Coastal Lomas, and the Chihuahuan Thorn forest also known as Rio Grande-Falcon thorn woodland.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.valleynaturecenter.org Valley Nature Center] - official site
Category:Nature centers in Texas
Category:Museums in Hidalgo County, Texas
Category:Education in Hidalgo County, Texas