Looking for something fun and exciting to do this weekend?
Have a wild time at the Lamar Bruni Vergara Environmental Science Center at Laredo Community College, which opens its doors to the public on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Nature lovers of all ages are invited to participate in a guided tour of the college’s Paso del Indio Nature Trail at 9 a.m. at the LBVESC.
Other activities on tap this Saturday include scheduled feeding times for the center’s turtles at 10 a.m., fish at 10:30 a.m. and the family of American alligators at 11 a.m.
LBVESC staff also will offer a formal tour of the facilities starting at 11:15 a.m.
LBVESC director Tom Miller said that the center has welcomed many families and nature lovers during its Saturday hours of operation
“The LBVESC introduced Saturday hours to the public this fall for the benefit of families and individuals who are unable to visit the center during the week,” LBVESC Director Tom Miller said. “Many visitors have returned to the center as volunteers to help us maintain the facilities and the nature trail.”
The center also will sell a variety of native plants that have been raised over the last three years by LCC students participating in a environmental entrepreneurship program.
The community is invited to purchase an array of native plants, including mountain laurels, ebonies, palo blancos, granjenos, anacuas, agaves, anacahuites and others. The prices for the plants range from $5 to $15. Proceeds benefit the science center.
“Planting native plants can help you save utility money and encourage our native wildlife to prosper,” Miller said.
Located on the north side of the main campus, the environmental science center features more than 100 creatures native to the river and the region.
The center features hands-on demonstrations, water areas for live specimens native to the Rio Grande ecosystem, growing areas for native vegetation, wildlife diorama displays, a wetlands demonstration project and the adjacent Paso del Indio Nature Trail, located along the Rio Grande river banks.
The center houses rare fish, snakes, ducks, tortoises and the nearly extinct horny toad, as well as a fox, raccoon, and bobcat.
The LBVESC’s star attraction is the family of American alligators.
Admission to the center is $4 per adult and $2 per child, ages 4 to 18, and senior adults. Admission is free with a valid LCC or TAMIU student ID card.
For more information, call the LBVESC at 764-5701.
Office of Marketing and Public Information
West End Washington St.
Laredo, TX 78040-4395
956- 721-5140
Fax 956-721-5443