| Join
us in protecting the future of the natural habitats in the Rio Grande Valley
We
are doing this through the protection of land by purchase or gift and by rewarding
the private landowner for responsible stewardship. In addition, we are dedicated
to educating the public to be environmentally aware and responsible with Land
Preservation Projects, our popular photo books, and our Wildlife Photo Contest.
Since
1987, the Valley Land Fund has worked in partnerships with public organizations,
private individuals, and groups in facilitating the protection of over 8,000 acres
of south Texas land through gift, purchase or conservation easement. We
are now involved in a number of significant conservation projects from Falcon
Dam to South Padre Island. South
Padre Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary
We purchased six residential lots
on the island in 1999 for the feeding and resting of neotropicals. In addition
to offering habitat protection for migrants, these lots have become a showplace
to educate Island residents and visitors in techniques for making their privately
owned land "bird friendly" by using native plants and water to attract wildlife.
Resaca
Land
Five acres of land along a Resaca in the Brownsville area is the
site of our Younkman Property. Prized not only for their beauty, resacas team
with wildlife including shore birds, fish, turtles and other reptiles. Because
of the lack of undeveloped resaca land in the Valley, this property donated to
us as a life estate, is a tremendous asset. Quinta
Mazatlan
As you approach Quinta Mazatlan, your first glimpse of the estate
is the stately stone and stucco gates emblazoned with the historical plaque. Within
lies the largest existing adobe hacienda in Texas. It’s eight-plus acres interweave
sweeping landscaped lawns bordered by tall trees and native woods. Among the many
varieties of native flora are exotic birds and domestic wildlife that sound the
beginning and end of each day. Owned by the City of McAllen with financial assistance
provided by the Valley Land Fund, this important location is a satellite site
for the World Birding Center. Arroyo
Project
In 1997, the Valley Land Fund, the Harlingen Birding Festival
and others purchased 40 acres of native brush in Harlingen. This native tract
lies along the proposed hiking and biking trail and will be a quality addition
to the whole project, thus offering so many the opportunity to enjoy what only
Deep South Texas has to offer next to Arroyo Colorado. This habitat will be protected
as a “natural area” with a conservation easement from U.S. Fish & Wildlife
Service. Salineno
Project
Salineno, a small community downriver from Falcon Dam, is the
site of a world-famous birding hot spot, managed by Center
for the Study of Tropical Birds. The winter residents and researchers of the
Center maintain feeders which attract Mexican and western Valley specialties.
Each year these feeders and this stretch of riverbank are visited by thousands
of birders seeking to add these unique birds to their life list. This land was
given to The Valley Land Fund by local residents who trusted us to best ensure
its long-term survival. Chihuahua
Woods Preserve
This preserve has special meaning to VLF as it was our
first major fundraising project and the beginning of many successful partnerships
in preservation. Owned by the Nature Conservancy of Texas and open to the public,
this 243-acre tract lies south of Mission near Business 83 and FM 492, a few miles
from Bentsen State Park. It is home to some of the most unique plant life in South
Texas. Llano
Grande
The first VLF project in 1986, this 4.25-acre tract on Llano Grande
Lake is now part of a larger preservation effort owned and managed by Texas Parks
& Wildlife. Without VLF’s original purchase, it is doubtful the rest would
have happened. Native
Brush Lands
The Valley Land Fund protects wildlife by preserving their
natural habitats with conservation easements. Conservation easements can assist
landowners in protecting their land with a legal agreement that ensures a property
will be managed according to the landowners' wishes for years into the future.
Valley Land Fund holds several conservation easements to help private landowners
protect the special qualities of their property.
We
hope you will help us protect our natural
heritage in the Lower Rio Grande
Valley. Valley
Land Fund Conservation Holdings
Email
us for more information. | 
