Alamo’s Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge has been nominated for a USA Today “10Best Reader’s Choice Award.” 10Best is a site which covers unique travel destinations from around the world. Their featured poll ranks the best places to see wildlife in the United States. According to the contest site, 10Best asked a team of wildlife experts to nominate their favorite places in the country to observe wild animals.
Other Texas wildlife parks nominated include Big Bend National Park for wildlife and birding, Aransas National Wildlife Refuge for birding and the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge for birding.
The Experts
The nominees were chosen by David Houghton, President of the National Wildlife Refuge Association; David Mizejewski, TV personality and co-host of NatGeo WILD’s new primetime television series Pet Talk; and Matt Johnson, the Education Director with Audubon South Carolina.
It’s One of a Kind
The Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1943 and is one of Alamo’s biggest attractions. The park’s 2,088 acres has more than 400 bird species and is often referred to as the “jewel” of the National Wildlife Refuge System. It offers more than 14 miles of trails that visitors can walk to enjoy wildlife tours. It is managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
The refuge has been instrumental in helping the Valley’s economy, according to a study conducted by Texas A&M University. Research shows that South Texas ecotourism is responsible for boosting the RGV’s economy by $300 million.
Choose Alamo
The refuge currently sits at No. 15 in the 10Best rankings, but fans can vote once a day until March 28th at 11:59 AM EDT. Voting can be done here. For businesses of any kind looking for a city to expand in, choose Alamo. The Alamo EDC is more than willing to help you get started.