Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park homepage

Facility Facts

Architectural Rendering

Photographic progress of facility

• Hawk Tower
• Water Feature
• Final Courtyard
• Bird Blind
• Completed Facility
• April 5, 2004 - Landscaping progress
• February 27, 2004 - Headquarters
• February 27, 2004 - Hawk Tower
• December 2003
• November 2003
• August 13, 2003
• July 24, 2003
• July 18, 2003
• July 11, 2003
• June 27, 2003
• June 23, 2003
• June 10, 2003
• May 14, 2003
• March 20, 2003
• February 5, 2003
• January 8, 2003
• November 22, 2002

Facility "Green Design" Features

World Birding Center Headquarters

Facilty Facts

• Construction of buildings, exhibits, utilities, trails, bird viewing blinds, bird feeding and watering stations and hawk tower are scheduled to be complete in Spring 2004, at an estimated cost of $7.06 million through federal, state and local funding.
• Facilities will include approximately 12,800 sq. ft. (exhibit hall, meeting/conference area, gift shop, café bar, administrative space).
• The buildings are designed by Lake/Flato Architects to fit their environmental and cultural context. Local farmers traditionally cluster buildings to create a tree-shaded oasis for their homes; the visitor center will create a garden oasis in a similar manner.
• Carrying on with tradition, Wilson Construction, who originally built Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park in the 1960’s, is responsible for constructing the visitor’s center and nearby parking.
• SpawGlass is the project manager for construction of all three TPWD WBC sites, and is responsible for constructing the headquarters administration, exhibit and multi-use buildings and landscaping.
• Vehicle access to the existing state park will be discontinued once the WBC HQ opens. Visitors will be shuttled in via a tram, or can walk/hike in or ride bicycles.
• Adjacent Bentsen Palm Village RV Park can now accommodate campers in a creatively designed native landscaped setting, thus providing an alternative to campsites displaced by WBC renovation of the state park.
• Total WBC headquarters area is 2,483 acres, including Bentsen-RGV State Park (587.7 acres), Bentsen Palm Development land donation (176.2 acres) and adjacent and accessible U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands (1,719 acres).
• Extensive habitat restoration efforts will concentrate initially on the new HQ site, attempting to restore the former agricultural field to more closely resemble the wildlife habitat provided at Bentsen Rio Grande Valley SP.
• Critical wildlife habitat in the Lower Rio Grande Valley has rapidly dwindled in recent decades, with only 3-5% of this native habitat left in the region. Through the WBC, hundreds of acres of native habitat will be protected or restored.
• Restoration efforts will depend largely on the availability of water. Water needs for the WBC reflect statewide water issues and the importance of balancing the needs of fish and wildlife with water needs for agriculture, industry, and municipalities.
• Extensive educational and interpretive programming will engage visitors in the story of this site and how they can contribute to conservation by becoming good stewards. Programs will be available for all ages and all skill levels of birding and outdoor experiences.
• WBC is more than just birding; it also includes opportunities for general nature appreciation, photography, hiking/biking, wildlife observation and an overall outdoor experience.