Friends of the Wildlife Corridor

06/11/2026

❤️ Our Santa Ana & Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuges Wetlands!

The American Coot and Common Gallinule, two wetland treasures enjoying a peaceful morning at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge. 🦆✨
From vibrant colors to unique behaviors, there’s always something amazing to discover out on the water. Come spot your own feathered friends on your next visit! 🌿💧

Photo: E.Reyes

06/11/2026

❤️ Our US WILDLAND SERVICE

This is your opportunity to join the U.S. Wildland Fire Service in South Texas. There are currently 3 open positions.

Link below:
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https://www.usajobs.gov/job/872327900

06/11/2026

❤️ Santa Ana & Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuges
JUNE EVENTS

Get ready for summer fun at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge!
Join us for our June guided hikes along the beautiful Tower Trail, perfect for families, nature lovers, and explorers of all ages. 🌿👣
Our Junior Ranger Camp is now full, but we can’t wait to welcome all our young adventurers!
For more information, call 956-785-7500.
See you on the trail! 🐾

06/09/2026

❤️ Raptors

Cooper's Hawk is a medium-sized bird of prey (Accipiter cooperii).

The Cooper's Hawk is a medium-sized bird of prey native to the North American continent, known for its INCREDIBLE AGILITY while hunting small-to-medium-sized birds.

They have short, rounded wings and a long, banded tail that allows them to maneuver through dense woodlands. Adults typically feature steel-blue backs and reddish, barred chests.

They are highly adapted to both forests and urban environments, they are stealthy and quick, making them frequent visitors to backyard bird feeders.

Santa Ana & Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuges

(221/250) Cooper's hawks can be found across much of North America, from southern Canada to southern Mexico. These sleek, medium-sized raptors are built for agility and speed - zipping through trees and even ambushing backyard bird feeders.

This time of year, parents are focused on providing plenty of food to young.

Photo: Mike Budd/USFWS

06/09/2026

❤️ 🎉 CONGRATUALATIONS 👏 👏
STAR AWARDEE
Rob Perkins! 🌟

Rob Perkins is the STAR Award recipient for the South Texas Refuge Complex!
STAR stands for
Special Thanks for Achieving Results.

Rob has been an essential part of strengthening our ARCHERY PROGRAM, working closely with our dedicated Visitor Services Rangers to enhance opportunities for our community.

In addition, Rob has worked diligently with state partners to identify abandoned and orphaned wells on the refuge and secure funding to remove this infrastructure—helping protect and restore the South Texas native habitat we value so deeply.

Rob has also played a key role in improving the hunt program in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, collaborating with state counterparts and creating meaningful opportunities for community engagement.

THANK YOU Rob,
for your commitment,
leadership,
and passion for conservation
and community service.

We are proud to recognize your hard work! 🌿👏

Santa Ana & Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuges America's Wildlife Refuges National Wildlife Refuge Association

🎉 Congratulations to STAR Awardee Rob Perkins! 🌟
Please join us in celebrating Rob Perkins, the STAR Award recipient for the South Texas Refuge Complex!
Rob has been an essential part of strengthening our Archery Program, working closely with our dedicated Visitor Services Rangers to enhance opportunities for our community.
In addition, Perkins has worked diligently with state partners to identify abandoned and orphaned wells on the refuge and secure funding to remove this infrastructure—helping protect and restore the South Texas native habitat we value so deeply.
Perkins has also played a key role in improving the hunt program in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, collaborating with state counterparts and creating meaningful opportunities for community engagement.
Thank you, for your commitment, leadership, and passion for conservation and community service. We are proud to recognize your hard work! 🌿👏

06/09/2026

❤️ Wrens

So feisty!

(218/250) The northern house wren can be found in southern Canada, across most of the U.S. and parts of Mexico in the summer. Despite their small size, they're bold and fiercely territorial.

This time of year, they're nesting in cavities or nest boxes and working steady to feed young a steady diet of insects and spiders.

Photo: Becky Matsubara/CC BY 4.0 https://flic.kr/p/2j8Novr

06/09/2026

❤️ Our Gray Fox

(220/250) The gray fox is a small, agile fox known for its unique ability to climb trees while hunting or to escape predators. Found across much of North America, these shy, resourceful omnivores are busy raising young right now.

Photo: Tammy Mealman/USFWS

06/09/2026

Junior Ranger Adventures
SUMMER CAMP

06/02/2026

🌞 JUNIOR RANGER ADVENTURES: SUMMER CAMP 2026!

June 23–26 •
10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Ages 7–12 •
SANTA ANA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Get ready for four days of outdoor fun, exploration, and discovery!

Junior Ranger Summer Camp invites kids to dive into nature through hands‑on activities, wildlife encounters, exciting games, and ranger‑led adventures.

Each day highlights a different theme—from wetlands and wildlife to birds, migration, and conservation teamwork.

Campers will learn, create, and explore the refuge while becoming future conservation heroes!

DAILY THEMES:

• June 23 – WETLAND EXPLORERS: Kayaking, tram ride, and wetland wildlife fun

• June 24 – BIRDS & MIGRATION: Birdwatching, migration games, and bird passport making

• June 25 – WILDLIFE RANGERS: Tracking, camouflage, and archery skills

• June 26 – CONSERVATION HEROES: Team challenges and habitat protection activities

📍 Location:
Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge
3325 Green Jay Rd, Alamo, TX 78516
👨‍👩‍👧 Parent/guardian participation required (at least one adult per child)
🎟️ Register now — spots fill fast!
https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSedkJ2Kbwd25.../viewform