Shop at the Friend's Nature Store for Holiday Gifts
Come check out the Visitor's Center and our new  Green Jay Cafe .
Remodeling Complete!
Ramon and Ida Flores of Harlingen enjoying a morning coffee and danish and bird watching while waiting for their tour. We have coffee, tea, hot chocolate and new snack items.
deer Nicole Young
Announcements
Hunt Information
Visitors should ask at the Visitor's Center about hunting locations before venturing out into the refuge. 

The last Archery hunt will be conducted Dec. 7-11, 2018. Firearm hunts will be conducted Dec. 14-16 and Dec. 28-30, 2018; Jan. 4-6, Jan 11-13, Jan. 18-20, Jan 25-27, and Feb 1-3, 2019.
 
Refuge Events
altamira oriole Nicole Young
Bird Tours
8:00am - 12:00pm
$4 for adults (16+), $3 seniors (62+), under 16 free. 
Cash or check only.
November 20- December 27                                             
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Take a small bus to birding hot spots on the refuge where private vehicles are not allowed. This tour will offer many opportunities to see waterfowl and raptors. Reservations required, call (956) 748-3607 ext. 111.
alligator Nicole Yound
Habitat Tours   
8:30 am- 11:30 am and 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm 
$4 for adults (16+), $3 seniors (62+), under 16 free. Cash or check only. 
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Take a small bus to remote locations on the refuge where private vehicles are not allowed. This tour offers a chance to see all varieties of wildlife! Reservations required, call (956) 748-3607 ext. 111.
Breakfast for the Birds
8:45 am      FREE with entrance fee
7 days a week
Join us as we fill feeders scattered across the visitor center grounds. View the many birds & wildlife that gather daily. Afterwards, walk the trails to see what you might find!
No reservations necessary
Save the Date!
Ocelot Conservation Day

March 2, 2019
Gladys Porter Zoo
Brownsville 
Friends News
The Friends of Laguna Atascosa Board of Directors held their Annual Meeting on November 25th. Nicole Ekstrom, President, reported on the Friends accomplishments during 2018. A few of the highlights:

  1. Provided funding for refurbishment of 15 ocelot collars
  2. Partnered with UTRGV for a Landscape Conservation Intern
  3. Completed the James A "Buddy Davidson" grant, A South Texas Treasure, 30 minute documentary about LANWR
  4. Entered into a cooperative agreement with USFWS for Aplomado falcon restoration
  5. Worked with TXDOT to find a permanent solution to brown pelican mortalities on Hwy 48 
  6. Purchased 10 acres of land for the Bahia Grande Coastal Corridor
  7. Designed a new ocelot license plate 

Board officers were also elected:
President: Nicole Ekstrom
Vice President: Bob Severson
Secretaries: Joyce Hamilton and Madeleine Sandefur
Treasurer: Dr. Tom deMaar

Board Members include: Patrick Anderson, Dr. Greg Garcia, Dr. David Hicks, Pete Moore, Richard Moore, Dr. Sharon Wilcox, Shane Wilson. There is one vacancy on the current Board.

Becoming a member of this dynamic organization is easy and it's only $35 a year. Click here for more info and to become an Advocate.
Support Laguna Atascosa
Shop at the Friend's Nature Store for Holiday Gifts
Our "new" store is open and ready to fill your Holiday gift list with exclusive LANWR merchandise. Pictured are just a few ideas!

Another great gift idea is symbolically adopting an ocelot for yourself or family or friends, or making a donation on behalf of someone special. 

Phone or email orders accepted. Email friendsoflagunaatascosa@gmail.com or call 956-748-3607, ext. 112 (please leave a message and our store manager will return your call).
NEW! Oce-Latte Coffee Club
Biology Intern Annalily became the first member of our Oce-Latte Club. Shown here receiving her card from our new Visitor's Services Intern, Karen. Pick up a card, have it punched each purchase and the 11th cup is on us! The card may be used with any of our hot beverages, coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.
Adopt an Ocelot
Ocelots need your help. You can Adopt an Ocelot to help our population of endangered cats survive and thrive in South Texas.  Adopt Now
Save Texas Ocelots
The last remaining  ocelots  in the United States are found only in Texas. You can help save these beautiful endangered cats and help spread the word about protecting  Texas Ocelots  by buying this specialty license plate for your vehicle for only $30.00 additional. 
Friends of Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge will receive $22.00 from the sale of every Save Texas Ocelots license plate, 100% of which will go to Ocelot Conservation. Buy Now
Laguna Atascosa
National Wildlife Refuge
22688 Buena Vista Rd.
Los Fresnos, TX   78566
956-748-3607 ext 111  
(if you can't reach us on this line, please call the cell phone at 956-244-2019).       
 
Visitor Center & Friends Nature Store
Open 8 am - 4 pm 
7 Days/Week
 Refuge open daily sunrise - sunset 
  
Refuge Entrance Fee 
$3 per vehicle  cash or check ONLY.
Please check in at the Visitor Center to get a required vehicle pass.

Go to the Refuge Site
CAUTION!  CONSTRUCTION ZONE!
  
Construction crews are continuing work on the 3 mile stretch of Buena Vista leading to the Visitor's Center. Be sure to follow all safety signs and drive slowly. Allow extra travel time and expect delays. Thank you for driving safely.