WESLACO — The Valley Nature Center in Weslaco, which many consider the Rio Grande Valley’s oldest preserve, has over the last several years positioned itself to be a 21st century educational facility.
Thanks to a $30,000 donation from the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club, the center is continuing such efforts by installing two new solar panel arrays.
The contribution, according to a Green Mountain Energy press release, specifically aims to help power the center’s new facility and pond with clean energy. A solar-powered living roof is already located at the center’s headquarters, which opened in October 2014.
“As the only nonprofit fully dedicated to environmental education south of San Antonio and east of Eagle Pass, the sustainable additions will help the Valley Nature Center offset their energy costs and invest more toward environmental education,” the release read.
Center representatives were unavailable for comment as of press time. However, the public is invited to “explore” the facility at no cost on Saturday, Nov. 19. Sun Club representatives will be on-hand that day to provide more information on what’s being called the center’s “recent sustainability projects.”
Located at Gibson Park on 301 S. Border Ave. in Weslaco, the center originally opened in 1984 inside the small confines of a nearby building, which previously served as a migrant camp and recreation center for a mobile home park. It was also a petting zoo at one point.
Within its 6 acres is the 8,000-square-foot facility and mile-long trail, secret garden, bird blind, drips, feeding stations and insect motel. Inside the center are classrooms, a gift shop and administrative offices. There are also exotic species of tortoises, snakes and ducks, including the yellow-crowned night-heron.
