Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge

Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge is a 2,088-acre (8.45 km²) National Wildlife Refuge situated along the banks of the Rio Grande, south of Alamo in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, in Hidalgo County, Texas. This sub-tropical sanctuary harbors one of the highest wildlife diversities of any single unit in the National Wildlife Refuge system and has been referred to as the “Gem of the National Wildlife Refuge System”. Many Mexican and tropical species reach the northern limit of their distributions in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, including several that occur nowhere else in the US. Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge preserves one of the largest tracks of old growth habitat in the Lower Rio Grande, in a region where much of the land use has been dominated by, and shifted over the last century, from small farms, to commercial agro-industries, to significant population growth and urban development in recent decades.

The wildlife refuge was established for the protection of migratory birds in 1943. In a unique location in the US, where diverse climates and habitats of south Texas merge (tropical, temperate, thorn forest, wetlands, Gulf Coastal grasslands), it has a reputation for diverse birding. In addition to birding, the refuge offers opportunities for nature photography, hiking (with over 12 miles of trails), and biking (on paved roads only) and nature tram rides (seasonal), with an observation tower, a canopy bridge, as well as a visitors’ center with nature and wildlife exhibits, an auditorium, nature shop, and restrooms.

Due to its location near the Mexico–United States border, the refuge was at risk of environmental damage during the construction of the Mexico–United States border wall. The administration exempted the construction in the refuge, but built on the border of it, leading to possible interference due to noise.