Lower Rio Grande Valley
Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge is headquartered at the
Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. It is located 7 miles south
of Alamo, Texas, on FM 907 and 1/4 mile east on U.S. Highway 281.
From Falcon Dam to the Gulf of Mexico, the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV)
National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) follows the last 275 river miles of the Rio
Grande. Both the Central and Mississippi flyways funnel through the southern tip
of Texas and many species of birds reach their extreme northernmost range here.
In addition, subtropic, temperate, coastal and desert influences converge at
this juncture creating an ideal situation for species diversity. Considered one
of the most biologically diverse NWRs in the continental United States, LRGV
represents 11 distinct biotic communities that are host or home to 1,100 types
of plants, 700 vertebrate species (including 484 bird species) and over 300
species of butterflies.
Established in 1979, LRGV set the wheels in motion for connecting the natural
existing tracts of brush lands left along the last stretch of the Rio Grande’s
journey. Found within the lower four counties of Texas, the refuge currently
contains more than 90,000 acres and is considered a top priority acquisition
area by the Fish & Wildlife Service. Still in an acquisition phase, through the
purchasing of properties and conservation easements, LRGV will eventually
encompass 132,500 acres. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) purchases
all properties for the refuge from willing sellers at fair market value, subject
to annual congressional appropriations.
The current 100+ LRGV tracts compliment an existing wildlife corridor, lands
managed for the benefit of wildlife by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department,
National Audubon Society, The Nature Conservancy, private landowners and the
Santa Ana and Laguna Atascosa NWRs.
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