Border Wall Lawsuit Update

Last week, the federal government moved to dismiss our lawsuit seeking redress for the unlawful entry of government contractors to our private property, the destruction of habitat, the unauthorized activities of Border Patrol and the lack of due process to which we have been subjected over the last year.  

To date, we have not received any communication from the government showing maps or referencing the use of eminent domain for the 33 new miles of Trump's 30 foot-tall border wall, called "levee fencing" in the 2018 Omnibus Appropriations Act. We have only received a right-of-entry form letter requesting entry to our property for specified and unspecified activities by specified and unspecified parties for an irrevocable term of 18 months. 

Next week, Marianna Trevino Wright, executive director of the National Butterfly Center, will be traveling to Washington, DC, to meet with legislators and to attend the Borderlands photograph exhibit and reception in the Senate rotunda. This exhibit has been scheduled ahead of the vote on the Goodlatte-McCaul Bill, to which more border wall funding has been attached.  

We continue to press for NO MORE WALL and for solutions to border security that preserve private and public lands because we know physical patrol of the ACTUAL border, on the Rio Grande River, along with virtual patrol by air and land, can be achieved without the seizure of private property, without displacing residents and landowners, without destroying businesses and historical landmarks, and without disrupting tribal lands and fragile ecosystems. 

Please, call and write to your legislators and ours to demand a "smart wall" rather than a concrete and steel one; and please continue to contribute to our advocacy efforts. Your donations to defend the National Butterfly Center are critical to our public education and advocacy efforts, our ability to meet face-to-face with legislators, and the on-going work of our legal teams in New York and the Lower Rio Grande Valley. 

Community Camp Outs

This summer, the National Butterfly Center in Mission, Texas, will open to the general public for tent camping on a limited basis. The Community Camp Outs will take place on June 23, July 14 and August 11. These Saturday-night sleep overs under the stars will take place from 6 pm – 8 am, and cost $40 per tent. There will be planned outdoor activities led by staff of the National Butterfly Center, such as a night hike, owl hunt, and black lighting for insects and moths. A community camp fire will be provided for those who wish to enjoy a rustic camp experience, and of course, s’mores for everyone!

This is the perfect opportunity to spend the night at the center—a privilege previously reserved for Boy and Girl Scouts—and get to know better. Pre-registration is required. Learn more here.

Adventure to Angangueo

Last year, the National Butterfly Center sponsored its first trip for members and guests to visit Michoacan, Mexico, to witness the Monarchs overwintering in the ‘magical’ oyamel fir forests. A magnificent time was had by all, so we’re pleased to offer this guided travel package, again.

Often described as a ‘bucket list’ trip, this excursion to experience the migration of the monarchs will be lead by Mike Quinn, your National Butterfly Center host for this year. Quinn has been a student of the Monarch since starting a graduate entomology program at Texas A&M University 25 years ago. After graduating, he was the statewide Invertebrate Biologist for Texas Parks & Wildlife with duties including being the Texas Monarch Watch Coordinator for eight years. Mike has visited the Monarch overwintering colonies in central Mexico three times since 2002 and enjoys sharing his entomological knowledge with others.

To learn more and register for this trip, please click here.