Rio Reforestation

Each year the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge hosts one of the most important environmental events in the region, its annual Rio Reforestation. This popular event draws volunteers from across the Lower Rio Grande Valley who spend a half day helping plant native trees and shrubs on the refuge. To date, volunteers have planted nearly 200,000 seedlings on nearly 620 acres of the refuge. On November 2, 2014 850 volunteers planted 30 acres of Refuge-owned cropland in Cameron County with 14,000 native tree and shrub seedlings. The Friends of the Wildlife Corridor supported this event by helping to organize it and by providing volunteers.

 Rio Grande Valley Coastal Expo

On February 13^th and 14^th the City of Edinburg, the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands and World Birding Center, U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, and Texas Parks and Wildlife held the Rio Grande Valley Coastal Expo 2014 at the Edinburg Municipal Park, in Edinburg Texas. This free event featured hands-on activities to teach students and families about coastal ecosystems, South Texas wildlife, and many outdoor adventures. This event typically draws about 3,000 visitors. The Friends of the Wildlife Corridor provided information about the Refuges and about FWC, and it gave visitors the opportunity to purchase items from its Santa Ana NWR Nature Store.

Winter Texan Appreciation Day

Photo Credit: Cristina de la Garza

On February 16, 2014 the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge hosted a Winter Texan Appreciation Day, featuring free refuge entrance, refreshments, door prizes, and $2 tram rides for seniors. 400 Winter Texans showed up.

The Friends of the Wildlife Corridor supported this event with a cash donation and with staffing assistance.

Refuge Volunteer Appreciation Dinner

On March 15, 2014 the Santa Ana and Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuges hosted a Volunteer Appreciation Dinner to thank the 30+ volunteers who have been working at the Refuges for the past six months. The Friends of the Wildlife Corridor supported this event by providing barbecue and by helping to organize the event.