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.
The Rio Grande Valley is an area located in the southernmost tip of Texas. It
lies along the northern bank of the Rio Grande, which separates Mexico from the
United States.
The Rio Grande Valley is not a valley, but a delta or floodplain. Early settlers
from Mexico felt that the term "Valley" sounded more inviting to tourists and
northern investors than did "Delta." The Rio Grande Valley is also called "El
Valle", the Spanish translation of "the valley", by those who live there.
Another affectionate term that the residents of the Rio Grande Valley use to
refer to the area is the "RGV."
The region is made up of four counties: Starr County, Hidalgo County, Willacy
County, and Cameron County. As of January 1, 2007, the Texas State Data Center
estimated the population of the Rio Grande Valley at 1,139,581. Over 80% of the
residents of the Valley are Hispanic or Latino.
The largest city is Brownsville (Cameron County), followed by McAllen (Hidalgo
County). Other major cities include Harlingen, Mission, Edinburg, and Pharr.
Tourism
The Valley encompasses several landmarks that attract tourists, and is primarily
known for South Padre Island. Other popular destinations in include Port Isabel
Lighthouse, Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Santa Ana National
Wildlife Refuge, and Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park. The Valley is a
popular waypoint for tourists seeking to visit Mexico. Popular destinations
across the border include: Matamoros, Nuevo Progreso, Rio Bravo, and Reynosa,
all located in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. The Valley also attracts large
quantities of lucrative tourists from the Mexican states of Nuevo Leon, Distrito
Federal, and Tamaulipas.
The history of the Rio Grande Valley is chronicled at the Museum of South Texas
History.
People of historical interest
A list of notable people who were born, lived, or died in the Rio Grande Valley
includes:
* Catherine Hardwicke (Film director, writer, producer, McAllen, TX)
* Gloria E. Anzaldúa (Writer/Poet, Hargill, Texas)
* Lloyd M. Bentsen, Jr. (U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, U.S. Senator, U.S.
Representative, Mission, Texas)
* Harlon Block (Iwo Jima flag raiser, died on Iwo Jima, Weslaco, Texas)
* Cathy Baker (T.V. performer, Edinburg, Texas)
* Thomas Haden Church (Actor, Harlingen, Texas)
* Tony Garza (U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Brownsville, Texas)
* Kika de la Garza (U.S. Representative, Mission, Texas)
* Freddy Fender (Musician/Actor lyricist, San Benito, Texas)
* Mike Fossum (Astronaut, McAllen, Texas)
* Alfredo C. Gonzalez (Highly distinguished U.S. Marine Veteran, Edinburg,
Texas)
* Kris Kristofferson (Musician, actor, song writer, Brownsville, Texas)
* Tom Landry (American football coach, Mission, Texas)
* Rachel McLish (Ms. Olympia, actor, Harlingen, Texas)
* Bobby Joe Morrow (Olympic gold medalist, San Benito, Texas)
* Major Samuel Ringgold (Father of modern artillery, served at what is now Fort
Ringgold, Rio Grande City, Texas)
* Rigo Tovar (musician/actor/composer, Matamoros, Tamps)
* Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, USA, Ret. (Ground forces commander in Iraq, Rio Grande
City, Texas)
* Merced Solis (aka Tito Santana, Wrestler, Mission, Texas)
* Nick Stahl (Actor, Harlingen, Texas)
* Roberto Garza (Professional Football Player Chicago Bears, Rio Hondo, Texas)
* Jose M. Lopez (Medal of Honor Recipient, Mission, TX)
Places of Historical Interest
The First Lift Station in Mission, Texas once provided water for irrigating the
crops of the early Rio Grande Valley.
The First Lift Station in Mission, Texas once provided water for irrigating the
crops of the early Rio Grande Valley.
* First Lift Station
* Los Ebanos Ferry Last hand operated ferry on the Rio Grande River
* La Lomita Historic District
* Fort Brown
* Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site
* Resaca de la Palma
* Rancho de Carricitos
* USMC War Memorial original plaster working model
* Museum of South Texas History Originally the County Court House and Jail,
built in the late 1800s
* Battle of Palmito Ranch, location of the last battle of The Civil War
The Brownsville Raid and the construction of the Basilica of the National Shrine
of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle all took place in The Rio Grande Valley.
Economy
The Valley is reliant on Agribusiness and Tourism. Cotton, various sorghums,
Maize, and sugarcane are its leading crops, and the region is the center of
citrus production and the most important area of vegetable production in the
State of Texas. Over the last several decades, the emergence of maquiladoras
(factories or fabrication plants) has caused a surge of industrial development
along the border, while International bridges have allowed Mexican nationals to
shop, sell and do business in the border cities along the Rio Grande River. The
geographic inclusion of South Padre Island also drives tourism, particularly
during the Spring Break season, during which South Padre Island becomes
reminiscent of New Orleans during Mardi Gras.
According to the 1990 census, just under 82 percent of Cameron County, over 85
percent of Hidalgo County, over 97 percent of Starr County, and over 84 percent
of Willacy County were Hispanic.
The Valley is a popular Winter tourist destination for residents from the
Midwest United States and Canada (called Winter Texans). Along with Mexican
nationals and thousands of college students who visit South Padre Island
throughout March and April, Winter Texans are the bulk of the Valley's tourism.
Winter Texans typically arrive in October-November and stay until
February-March, causing a seasonal swell for local businesses.
The Valley is also the only region in the United States where birders can
observe certain varieties of endangered and migratory birds. It is also along
the path taken by the migratory Monarch Butterfly as it transits to and from the
Mexican state of Michoacan.
Education
* University of Texas at Brownsville
* University of Texas–Pan American
* Texas State Technical College
* South Texas College
Media
Newspapers
* The Monitor - owned by Freedom Communications. Official Site
* La Frontera - owned by Freedom Communications & The Monitor. Official Site
* The Brownsville Herald - owned by Freedom Communications. Official Site
* El Nuevo Heraldo - owned by Freedom Communications & The Brownsville Herald.
Official Site
* El Extra - owned by Freedom Communications & The Brownsville Herald.
* Valley Morning Star - owned by Freedom Communications. Official Site
* The Island Breeze - owned by Freedom Communications & the Valley Morning Star.
Official Site
Magazines
* Contempo Magazine(monthly print and daily online)-owned by Contempo
Magazine,Inc.McAllen TX Official Site
Television
* XHRIO-TV FOX 2 News, FOX Affiliate Official Site
* XHRIO-TV My 2, My Network TV Affiliate (Secondary)
* KGBT-TV/DT Action 4 News, CBS Affiliate Official Site
* KRGV-TV/DT Newschannel 5, ABC Affiliate Official Site
* KVEO-TV/DT News Center 23, NBC Affiliate Official Site
* KLUJ-TV/DT 44, TBN Affiliate
* KTLM-TV/DT 40, Telemundo Affiliate
* KNVO-TV/DT 48, Univision Affiliate Official Site
* KMBH-TV/DT 60, PBS Affiliate Official Site
* KSFE-LP 67, CW Affiliate
Radio
* KBFM Wild 104 (Hip Hop/Top 40)
* KBTQ 96.1 Recuerdo (Spanish Oldies)Univision
* KESO Digital 92.7 (Internacional, Spanish Top 40)
* KFRQ Q94.5 The Rock Station (Classic/Modern/Hard Rock) Official Site
* KGBT 1530 La Tremenda (Univision)
* KGBT-FM 98.5 FM (Regional Mexican) Univision
* KHKZ Hot Kiss 106.3 (Popular Adult Contemporary)
* KIRT 1580 AM Radio Imagen (Variety, Spanish contemporary)
* KIWW (Spanish)
* KJAV 104.9 Jack FM Official Site
* KKPS Que Pasa 99.5 (Tejano) Official Site
* KMBH/KHID 88.9/88.1 NPR (Classical/Public Radio)
* KNVO Super Estrella (Super Star) 101.1 Official Site
* KQXX 105.5 (Oldies)
* KTEX 100.3 (Country)
* KURV 710 AM Heritage Talk Radio (part of the BMP family of stations)
* KVLY Mix 107.9 KVLY (Adult Contemporary)
Contact Information
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