THE LAGUNA ATASCOSA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE WILL CONDUCT WILDLIFE PROGRAM TOURS STARTING IN JANUARY AND RUNNING THROUGH MARCH. TOURS ON THE SCENIC BAYSIDE DRIVE WILL TAKE PLACE THURSDAYS, FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS FROM 9 A.M. TO NOON AND FROM 1 TO 4 P.M. THE REFUGE WILL BE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC ON CHRISTMAS DAY.

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THE TOURS OF WILDLIFE HABITATS INCLUDING THORN SCRUB, FOREST, COASTAL PRAIRIE, WETLANDS AND SCENIC LAGUNA MADRE IN AN OPEN AIR TRAM. ACCORDING TO WILDLIFE OFFICIALS, VISITORS WILL LEARN THE HISTORY OF THE REFUGE BOTH NATURAL AND CULTURAL, AND SEE HOW THE LANDS ARE MANAGED. DURING THE TOUR SPECTATORS ARE ENCOURAGED TO BRING BINOCULARS. THERE WILL BE TWO TO THREE STOPS WITH SHORT OPTIONAL WALKS.

BIRDING TOURS WILL TAKE PLACE THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY FROM 8:30 A.M. TO NOON AND FRIDAY FROM 1 TO 4:30 P.M. EXPERIENCED BIRDERS WILL TAKE SPECTATORS IN A VAN TO THE REFUGE’S BIRDING HOT SPOTS WHERE PRIVATE VEHICLES ARE NOT ALLOWED. THE TOURS ALTERNATE BETWEEN THE LAGUNA ATASCOSA AND BAHIA GRANDE AREAS.

TICKETS FOR THE BAYSIDE TOUR AND DRIVING BIRD TOURS ARE $4 FOR ADULTS, $3 FOR SENIORS AGE 62 AND OLDER, CHILDREN UNDER 16 ARE FREE. TICKETS CAN ONLY BE PURCHASED BY CASH OR CHECK AND ARE SOLD THE DAY OF THE TOUR.

FREE BIRDING WALKS WILL BE OFFERED SATURDAY, SUNDAY AND MONDAY FROM 2 P.M. TO 3 P.M. TOUR GUIDES WILL TAKE SPECTATORS FOR A SHORT WALK AROUND THE VISITOR’S CENTER. GUEST SPEAKER ESTEBAN BRAVO WILL DISCUSS THE HUMAN AND WILDLIFE USES OF THE NATIVE PLANTS OF SOUTH TEXAS AS DESCRIBED IN HIS NEW BOOK “INCREDIBLE EDIBLES,” JAN. 24 FROM 2 P.M. TO 3 P.M.

THE PRESENTATION IS FREE TO THE PUBLIC. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 956-748-3609 EXT 111.

KAYLEIGH SOMMER