protecting our Bay system

The General Land Office was a great way to see and learn exactly what it means to clean up oil.  We always think of major oil spills out in the ocean, as we have seen on the news.  The GLO helps clean up and contain all kinds of chemical spills.  This can include diesel, gasoline, or different types of oil.  Many of the oil spills they have to clean up are from abandoned vessels that start to leak or vessels that are overturned by strong storms or hurricanes.  Their job is very important in helping keep the water clean for all the wildlife that lives in the bay, the beaches, or any other water area in the lower RGV.  It is extremely important to make sure to report any type of oil spill.  It was also good to know that they can go the the schools and do presentations to spread awareness. 

Laguna Atascosa NWR

Although we did not get to see an Ocelot, I have learned that the Lower Rio Grande Valley is the last of their habitat left there are only less than 50 left in the wild. They lost much of their habitat to habitat destruction and poaching. Education on the preservation of the Ocelot and awareness is key to help keep the Ocelots from becoming extint.  Laguna Atascosa is also home to other wild cats like the Bobcat, Jaguarundi, and Pumas.

Mouth of the Rio Grande Boca Chica Beach

The mouth of the Rio Grande at Boca Chica was very interesting to see first hand. Even more so that Mexico was so close and we could see Mexican literally feet away from the US beach fishing. 

It was majestic to see the widlife (pelicans, Egrets, Catfish,etc), the people, Mexico, the mouth of the River, but at the same time saddening to see all the pollution.  There was trash all over the sand, the dunes, and even in the water. There were plastic bottles, aluminum cans, tires, boxes, bags, etc. It was upsetting to see that there were many trash cans nearby and people just didn't use them. 

Mid Valley Field Trip

Estero Llano Grande and the Arroyo Colorado



Estero Llano Grande is a world birding center located in Weslaco, TX.  As for discoveries, I again did not about the existence of this beautiful, scenic park full of wildlife.  Although we did not see any alligators, there was an Alligator Lake on the map!  I loved this place, it was serene and full of natural life.  The marsh area and all the water in and around the park is part of the Arroyo Colorado. 

Riparian Woodlands

The Sabal Palms are native palm trees to South Texas.  Everywhere you turn you will see or find one.  It is a representation of the RGV.  With so many around everywhere, you may grow tired of them.  But no matter how tired we may get of seeing Sabal Palm after Sabal Palm, we always greet them with a smile from a long trip as we drive home.  Once you see the Sabal Palms along the highway, you know you are home in the RGV.

When we visited the Sabal Palm Sactuary, I was amazed to see so many Sabal Palms in one general area.  I see them all over the RGV but this was amazing to see them in a grove. Learning that they are the only native palm tree in the RGV, and that there once were sabal palm groves along the gulf up to 8 miles inland has made me appreciate them. 

upper Valley Field trip

Oxbow

First of all, the Los Hebanos Ferry was a major discovery for me.  I did not know this existed and so close to home in the Rio Grande Valley, the "real" valley.  It is here that we learned about the river cutbank and the oxbow.  The cutbank, which is where the flow of water is much faster and "cuts" through the land. The oxbow is the side of the river where the water moves slower and doesn't "cut" through the land.