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Birders, residents urge South Padre Island council to preserve convention‑center native habitat
Summary
Dozens of birders and residents urged the South Padre Island City Council to preserve an existing native-vegetation area at the South Padre Island Convention Center, citing migration habitat, petitions and scientific tools for monitoring birds.
Dozens of birdwatchers and residents told the South Padre Island City Council on June 4 that a patch of established native vegetation at the South Padre Island Convention Center should be preserved as plans for the center’s expansion proceed.
Speakers said the area provides critical stopover habitat for migratory birds and asked the council to alter design plans that they say would remove dense canopy, undergrowth and a stream-like water feature. “The habitat removed in the latest design plans include a dense patch of woods with thick canopy cover, diverse undergrowth, and a secluded stream‑like water feature,” said Justin LeClaire, vice president of the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival. “This really is in no way a preserve.”
The petition cited by speakers had more than 4,600 signatures at the time of the meeting.…
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