Exploring nature around our homes
By John Brush, Center for Urban Ecology at Quinta Mazatlan
Many of us are facing restricted movement and changes in our routines due to the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, yet there are still ways we can explore and enjoy nature from around our homes. One way is with the City Nature Challenge and iNaturalist.
The City Nature Challenge, started by the California Academy of Sciences and Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, invites people around the world to make observations of nature in urban areas. The event has two phases: (1) making observations from April 24 – April 27, and (2) identifying other people’s observations from April 28 – May 4.
Palm Valley Animal Society (PVAS) is asking for foster families to help get animals out of their shelter now. PVAS is taking serious measures to reduce the number of animals that are in the shelter, as they prepare for potential closure. 
By Pete Luna
Pedro De La Fuente is passionate about night sky photography and will be sharing his skill at Nights at the Mansion speaker series. Visit Quinta Mazatlán Thursday, March 26, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. for his informative presentation.
Palm Resaca Mobile Home Park in Brownsville recently unveiled a plaque recognizing the oldest known anacahuita (Mexican Olive Tree) in the United States. Seven hundred years. The plaque reads that the tree was a seedling before the turn of the 15th century and, therefore, mature and reproductive before the arrival of Spanish explorers. 
Ed Martens stood behind home plate and waited for the ceremonial first pitch that would announce the beginning of the annual U.S. versus Canada softball games at West Side Park in McAllen.
On March 10 Ron and Terri Vargas (team leaders) of the Resaca City Car Club, San Benito, presented a check to the San Benito food pantry in the amount of $2,000. A check for $500 was also presented to Mr. Gerald Gathright of the Harlingen Boys and Girls Club. A car show was held at the Fun N Sun RV Resort in San Benito on February 29th, there were about 70 entries, with 15 categories, all the members of the Resaca Car Club helped to make this event possible.
Celebrate monarch migration season by learning how to create a flourishing butterfly garden. Allen Williams, Landscape Habitat Specialist, will be sharing his expertise in creating butterfly friendly landscapes at Quinta Mazatlán’s Nights at the Mansion speaker series. Thursday, March 19, at 6 p.m. Williams presents, “Best Butterfly Garden Kit.”
Under rapidly changing circumstances, and with the health and wellbeing of the Valley community in mind, the Valley Symphony Orchestra has made the difficult decision to postpone its March 27 season finale concert, Designed by Dabrowski. 
Excitement buzzed throughout the bleachers, in the dugouts and on the field as the U.S. loaded the bases with one out and were down by one run in the bottom of the eighth inning.
By Herb Moering
A big draw to Deep South Texas is the nature sites and its many birds and butterflies. South Texas is home to numerous species of birds and butterflies that aren’t found anywhere else. South Texas also exists on a huge migratory corridor that attracts visitors from all over the world. Because of this, there are nature parks throughout the Rio Grande Valley and there are different types of festivals held throughout the year to celebrate the nature, birds and butterflies that call the RGV home, even if temporarily.
By Herb Moering 
