Welcome to Rio Bravo Nature Center

The Rio Bravo Nature Center just completed the first of four camping/environmental learning trips in its "Mentoring Outdoor Education" program for the youth of Eagle Pass. The program, designed by the Nature Center, focuses on fostering outdoor recreation and education primarily for the young women in the community who might not otherwise consider careers in these fields.

Returning this past Friday from camping and exploring the Big Bend region were Amanda Pike, Taylor McBeath, Gina Escobedo, Carol Banks, Jasmine Vallejo, Diamond Espinoza, Kimberly Morales, Selina Saucedo, Mariaelena Flores, Jan Banks, Leslie Hammack, Lalesca Mancha, Alicia Nicole Garza, Kevin Laurence, Loden Cullar-Ledford, Nathan Banks, Jessica Vasquez, Ana Perez, Brenda Gloria, Amanda Solis, Melissa Fuentes, Veronica Aranda, and Amanda Castillo. They were accompanied by four certified teachers, a registered nurse, and two other adult sponsors, expert in campfire cooking. The mixed group consisted of Girl Scouts and students from the Advanced Placement Environmental Science class from C. C. Winn High School.

Most evenings or days were highlighted by a presentation from a guest speaker. Sunday night the group set up camp, then Monday morning heard from Martin LeBlanc, a biologist with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department who spoke on "Leaving No Trace." Monday night an area biologist from Shafter, Pat Simms, gave a fascinating talk to the group about how the desert had changed in her lifetime and how man is irretrievably altering the Rio Grande.

First camp was made at Contrabando Camp just 6 miles west of Lajitas, Texas, in the Big Bend Ranch State Park. This was a primitive campsite, with the group having to carry in all their own water. This was the first camping experience for approximately half of the group, and they quickly adjusted to cooking over the coals and living without showers and blow driers.

While at Big Bend Ranch State Park, the group did nightly star gazing, conducted comparative leaf studies on the vegetation in the Chihuahua Desert, did geological studies, and took a guided tour of the Barton Warnock Environmental Education Center in Lajitas, where they learned about local plants. The following day the group hiked the Basin in Big Bend National Park, breaking into two groups. One group hiked The Rim and conducted lichen studies, while a smaller group hiked to The Window and did bird watching.

Half way through the week of Spring Break, camp was moved north to the Davis Mountains State Park where the featured attraction was Mc Donald Observatory and its 107 inch telescope. Wednesday night the group attended a Star Party and on Thursday toured the telescope and heard a presentation on the Sun, while getting to watch sun spots the size of the planet Earth float across its surface.

Thursday night the group attended a lecture on "Birds of the Davis Mountains" by the renowned birder and photographer Russell C. Hansen. Immediately after the birding program, the Bright Feather Native American Dance troop, consisting of girls from the Girl Scout group, performed for the public at the Indian Lodge in Davis Mountain State Park.

Carol Cullar, executive director of the Nature Center said: "I think we had a very positive experience for all those involved. The young people pulled together into work groups and accomplished a great deal. I think the lessons in cooking in Dutch ovens over hot coals were the most rewarding for everyone, particularly the peach cobbler and the delicious apple crisp desert of the first night!"

Funds for all the tents and camping equipment, scientific equipment, and travel expenses were made possible by a grant from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Community Outdoor Outreach Program.

This "Mentoring Outdoor Education" program was assisted by the Kickapoo Nation, which donated many cases of bottled water for the campers; the City of Eagle Pass donated the use of a 15 passenger van; and other individuals donated their time as sponsors. Bird watching guides were donated by Joy Haynes Hester.

Future trips will include the Rio Grande Valley in the fall, with the East Texas Piney Woods and Palo Duro Canyon the next spring and summer.





			Camping Adventures Eagle Pass Newsguide, Sunday, March 24, '02 The Rio Bravo Nature Center just completed the first of four camping/environmental learning trips in its "Mentoring Outdoor Education" program for the youth of Eagle Pass. The program, designed by the Nature Center, focuses on fostering outdoor recreation and education primarily for the young women in the community who might not otherwise consider careers in these fields. Returning this past Friday from camping and exploring the Big Bend region were Amanda Pike, Taylor McBeath, Gina Escobedo, Carol Banks, Jasmine Vallejo, Diamond Espinoza, Kimberly Morales, Selina Saucedo, Mariaelena Flores, Jan Banks, Leslie Hammack, Lalesca Mancha, Alicia Nicole Garza, Kevin Laurence, Loden Cullar-Ledford, Nathan Banks, Jessica Vasquez, Ana Perez, Brenda Gloria, Amanda Solis, Melissa Fuentes, Veronica Aranda, and Amanda Castillo. They were accompanied by four certified teachers, a registered nurse, and two other adult sponsors, expert in campfire cooking. The mixed group consisted of Girl Scouts and students from the Advanced Placement Environmental Science class from C. C. Winn High School. Most evenings or days were highlighted by a presentation from a guest speaker. Sunday night the group set up camp, then Monday morning heard from Martin LeBlanc, a biologist with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department who spoke on "Leaving No Trace." Monday night an area biologist from Shafter, Pat Simms, gave a fascinating talk to the group about how the desert had changed in her lifetime and how man is irretrievably altering the Rio Grande. First camp was made at Contrabando Camp just 6 miles west of Lajitas, Texas, in the Big Bend Ranch State Park. This was a primitive campsite, with the group having to carry in all their own water. This was the first camping experience for approximately half of the group, and they quickly adjusted to cooking over the coals and living without showers and blow driers. While at Big Bend Ranch State Park, the group did nightly star gazing, conducted comparative leaf studies on the vegetation in the Chihuahua Desert, did geological studies, and took a guided tour of the Barton Warnock Environmental Education Center in Lajitas, where they learned about local plants. The following day the group hiked the Basin in Big Bend National Park, breaking into two groups. One group hiked The Rim and conducted lichen studies, while a smaller group hiked to The Window and did bird watching. Half way through the week of Spring Break, camp was moved north to the Davis Mountains State Park where the featured attraction was Mc Donald Observatory and its 107 inch telescope. Wednesday night the group attended a Star Party and on Thursday toured the telescope and heard a presentation on the Sun, while getting to watch sun spots the size of the planet Earth float across its surface. Thursday night the group attended a lecture on "Birds of the Davis Mountains" by the renowned birder and photographer Russell C. Hansen. Immediately after the birding program, the Bright Feather Native American Dance troop, consisting of girls from the Girl Scout group, performed for the public at the Indian Lodge in Davis Mountain State Park. Carol Cullar, executive director of the Nature Center said: "I think we had a very positive experience for all those involved. The young people pulled together into work groups and accomplished a great deal. I think the lessons in cooking in Dutch ovens over hot coals were the most rewarding for everyone, particularly the peach cobbler and the delicious apple crisp desert of the first night!" Funds for all the tents and camping equipment, scientific equipment, and travel expenses were made possible by a grant from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Community Outdoor Outreach Program. This "Mentoring Outdoor Education" program was assisted by the Kickapoo Nation, which donated many cases of bottled water for the campers; the City of Eagle Pass donated the use of a 15 passenger van; and other individuals donated their time as sponsors. Bird watching guides were donated by Joy Haynes Hester. Future trips will include the Rio Grande Valley in the fall, with the East Texas Piney Woods and Palo Duro Canyon the next spring and summer.