South Texas Ecotourism Center: A vision becomes reality

What was a vision three years ago for David Garza, Cameron County Commissioner for Precinct 3 became a reality on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 with the grand opening and ribbon cutting for the 10 acre South Texas Ecotourism Center (STEC) located at 501 W. State Texas 100, in Laguna Vista, Texas.

This $12 million project was funded by the Cameron County Hotel Occupancy Tax and in part by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and supported and voted on by the entire Cameron County Commission. The 10 acre site was generously donated by the Town of Laguna Vista. STEC mission is to give visitors, students and locals the opportunity to experience the beauty of nature in one location interpreting the four major types of habitats found in the Rio Grande Valley which are the coastal prairie, lomas, savanna, and thorny brush forest.

The center includes an 8,000 square feet indoor classroom, exhibit, and event space. Another feature will be a “water lab” to be used for local training of potable and wastewater plant operators, and to test water samples locally instead of sending them off elsewhere. 

It also features bird blinds; a pond system that collects water from runoff; outdoor exhibits with interpretive panels with over 48,000 plants and stainless steel sculptures of native animals; a large look out boardwalk with interpretative panels and viewers; an outdoor classroom created with left over material; and wifi connection. The interpretive panels in the displays feature QR codes readable by smart phones and pads to show information about the exhibits.

Education is the major goal of the center and will offer curriculum for grades 2-8 online free to teachers covering nature and ecotourism and approved by the Texas Education Agency.