Not Only Butterflies

Posted on by

Along with other contemporary perils, a remarkable habitat in South Texas is threatened by the irrational and incorrect belief that America is being invaded.  It’s not only that a uniquely diverse environment will be demolished, but that ecotourism, which is a huge economic driver of this region, will be seriously impacted.  The National Butterfly Center, as well as Native American gravesites, a historic church, the La Lomita Chapel, and a state park are in the direct pathway of the proposed–and funded–border wall along the Rio Grand River between the United States and Mexico. Sure, cute ‘lil butterflies and birds will lose their habitat and die, and yeah, the endangered Ocelot and Jaguarundi will have difficulty finding their former water source and die, but also private property will be seized and land benefitting many will be fragmented and obliterated for the foreseeable future.

Check out this sweet video of  a Rio Grande River tour with an accompanying explanation of this beautiful and rare area:

 

Our section of heaven on the banks of the Rio Grande River is on the line, threatened by the Border Wall. This once thriving, recreational area has become the center of a battle for a fully militarized zone between Texas and Mexico.  Please enjoy this tranquil and beautiful sunset cruise, as filmed just downriver from the National Butterfly Center, from aboard Captain Johnny’s Riverside Dreamer in Mission, Texas.

To join us in fighting the border wall, which will place the region’s only source of fresh water behind 30 feet of concrete and steel, please go to our GoFundMe page where you can make a donation to our cause. Here is the link: https://www.gofundme.com/protect-the-national-butterfly-cen…

Help us preserve the Lower Rio Grande Wildlife Conservation Corridor and the incredibly rich biodiversity of threatened plants and animals that live here!

Did you know nearly 150 species of North American butterflies can be seen only in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) of Texas, or by traveling to Mexico?In fact, more than 300 species of butterflies may be found in the LRGV, and more than 200 species have been seen at the National Butterfly Center, including a number of rarities and U.S. Records! Incredibly, almost 40% of the 700+ butterflies that can be found in the United States can be seen in this three-county area at the southernmost tip of Texas, where the subtropical climate makes it possible to enjoy the outdoors year ’round.

Even if you choose not to donate to the GoFundMe campaign, click and read, as it explains well the travesty of this border wall nonsense.  If nothing else, the list of federal laws being waived for this horror is illuminating– and horrifying.

For more information about how the wall will affect the the environment, the residents, and the immigrants, please read these articles from San Antonio Express-News  , The Washington Post,  another from The Washington Post, penned by the videographer of the above video and an employee of The National Butterfly Center, and The Guardian.

13 thoughts on “Not Only Butterflies”

  1. Conversation about this seems fairly widespread. A Chicago attorney I follow posted the article from the San Antonio paper; that’s where I first read that. While I’m cautious about Snopes, I found some additional details in their report about the issue quite interesting:

    “A 10 December report from the Washington Post noted that some of the recommendations from biologists and wildlife managers were stripped from a key letter sent to the agency:

    ‘Federal government scientists raised red flags last year about President Trump’s proposed wall for the U.S.-Mexico border, suggesting that it could harm the habitats of imperiled species living in the ecologically diverse region. Constructing a physical barrier in southern Texas, some said, should be avoided if possible. But a number of those concerns did not make it to border officials considering the wall’s construction.”

    ‘Interior Department officials stripped from a key letter to U.S. Customs and Border Protection a number of warnings by career biologists and wildlife managers about the potential impacts of the border wall on the area’s rare cats and other animals, according to new documents released under the Freedom of Information Act.'”

    Apparently inconvenient facts and opinions simply are excised these days, rather than being considered.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓

    • Yes, I read the same. It’s sometimes hard to decide which articles to link to. 🙂

      But, you’re right about inconvenient facts, and I think Nancy Pelosi is right: this is some sort of weird ego thing with a certain president. I’m not really sure what can be done at this point, because this section was funded in the omnibus bill from last March and SC allowed the ruling from the the district judge out of San Diego to stand. But, maybe with lots of negative press…well, who knows.

      The death of the little Guatemalan girl hightlights something I decided not to put in the post, (I figure there are significantly more news outlets better equiped than I to handle that), but the wall will force these desperate people to travel routes that are even more harsh and difficult to travel. If you’ve ever been anywhere along that southern border, it’s beautiful, but severe.

      I despair.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply ↓

  2. I struggle to understand such things. I see so many reasons not to and with my struggle to fundamentally “get” the reasons people purport as the benefit… Perhaps we can just build a wall around the people who think it’s so great for awhile and they’ll literally see the reasons such a construction is not any sort of solution.

    Like

    Reply ↓

      • I guess that’s the part I’ve struggled to understand. I don’t “get it” when it comes to fear or prejudice regarding “otherness.” I’ve been told I’m more than slightly ruled by curiosity, so perhaps, in lieu of attempting educating the fearful and prejudiced, which to date seems to have failed, we can puzzle our way to a path of inspiring curiosity. But what do I know, I’m just a simple animal the same as any other trying to make sense of the nonsense.

        Like

      • Well, I don’t quite get it either, but apparently, there are about 30% of our fellow Americans who feel differently and the electoral process seems to favor them. For now.

        Like

  4. I am so sad about this, and trying to find ways to fight and help, so thanks for informing us about actions we can take. I’ve never seen the National Butterfly Center, but I hope to someday and I hope it won’t be ruined–along with all the other access and habitat that you mention.

    Like

    Reply ↓

    • I am too, Beth. I’m not sure what can be done about this particular stretch of the border as it’s been funded, but perhaps it’ll be delayed. That said, I think whatever funds are raised will go to re-planting if the ecosystem is destroyed.

      I’ve never been there, either. The last time I was in deep South Texas was in my late teens. I’m from Corpus Christi, which is on the Gulf coast and it’s about a 3-4 hour drive from there; from Austin, add another 3-4 hours. There’s lots to see though, an interesting landscape and human history, as well.

      Like

      Reply ↓

  5. What a stunningly beautiful area…and so rich in rare fauna! It is SO DISTURBING that that key information was simply eliminated from communications with lawmakers. Thank you so much for this post, and for shining a light on the WHOLE picture. I think building a wall is wrong. Our efforts should be directed to the administrations of the countries with the poverty and violence folks are fleeing from, to help them resolve the causes of their plight. I’m sure most of the refugees would opt to stay home if they could do so safely. But, instead we’re pushing the idea of pouring money into a stationary object that will have far more widespread repercussions than targeted aid, and probably not do much to stave off the actual stream of refugees. As long as their countries remain violent and corrupt, and the changing climate causes crop failure, people will flee. The proposed border wall project is nothing but misdirected funds and propaganda.

    Thanks also for the link – I will try to donate at least something.

    Like

    Reply ↓

Leave a comment