By: Trina “Indi” Johnson
A full slate of summer events has been announced by the South Texas Ecotourism Center, inviting families and nature lovers to explore the wild beauty of the Rio Grande Valley.
Tucked along State Highway 100 on a 10-acre stretch of native landscape, the center was created to inspire sustainable travel and environmental curiosity – offering free access to visitors year-round. According to
their website, the center’s mission is to encourage the exploration of South Texas by highlighting its assets.
Visitors are greeted with a warm Texas welcome by volunteers, and behind them lies the heart of the grounds, a sweeping boardwalk that lifts guests into the sky and out across the land. It floats above a still
pond where fish stir the water’s surface and birds linger at the edges, unbothered and at home. Life-size animal sculptures wait, half-hidden in the brush, scattered like secrets across the trail. Five distinct ecosystems meet here: coastal prairie, savanna, thornscrub forest, lomas, and cultivated land, stitched together in one walkable patchwork. One visitor called it “the CliffsNotes version of Texas.” Another smiled and said, “It’s like a mini Texas.”
This summer’s offerings begin with Coffee with the Birds, held every morning from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. throughout June, July, and August. Visitors are invited to bring their breakfast and enjoy free coffee at the
visitor center while observing native and migratory birds.
The Kids Summer Camp, running June 2 through June 26, offers weekday sessions from 9 a.m. to noon for ages 7 to 11. Activities include fishing, fish print art, nature painting, guided hikes, and visits to local
landmarks. Fees are $50 per week or $150 for the full four-week session, including a camp T-shirt and closing awards lunch. Space is limited to 25 campers; registration is open at (956) 772-0212 or (956) 772-0210.
On July 12, the center will host a Coastal Ecology Workshop, featuring guided kayak trips and birdwatching excursions across the Laguna Madre, giving participants an up-close look at one of the most biodiverse
coastal regions in the state.
The season wraps on August 9 with a Night Sky Stargazing event, inviting guests to gather atop the 25-foot lookout for telescope viewings led by local astronomers. With minimal light pollution, the stars offer a
show of their own.
More information and registration details are available at www.cameroncountytx.gov/southtexasecotourism or by calling (956) 772-0210.
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