Teens take a chance on nature

Ten Rio Grande Valley teenagers, admittedly not wildlife buffs, spent the summer learning about wildlife corridors, re-vegetation, sea turtles and trail maintenance.

"The whole program was a great experience, hard work (and) I got a lot out of it," said Rogelio Dominguez of Mercedes, adding he enjoyed working outside during the summer.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife service paid each teen about $2,000 to perform basic environmental conservation work and learn about two local wildlife refuges, Wildlife Refuge Specialist Gisela Chapa said. Their internships, part of a national program run by the Department of the Interior, ended one week ago.

Five teens living between Mission and Mercedes spent the summer working at the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Starr County. The remaining five, from Roma and Rio Grande City, worked at the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge southeast of Las Milpas.

During a trip to South Padre Island, the students learned about sea turtles and the endangered species list, said Monica Garcia of Weslaco.

"They learn a whole new array of things that they probably wouldn't learn in high school," Chapa said. "Out here in the refuge they're able to see the difference between a fragmented and a healthy landscape."

Part of the service's mission is to link fragmented landscapes, natural habitats that sit like islands amid farmland and suburbs, with wildlife corridors that expand animal habitats. The students helped prepare to re-vegetate those areas, an important part of linking refuge areas between Falcon Dam and the Gulf of Mexico.

Some of the students' jobs have been harder than others. Pruning trees and weeding near precious butterfly bushes isn't easy during the summer heat.

"It sounds fairly simple, but trust me, it's very labor-intensive," Chapa said. "All of them have been here regularly ... despite the mosquitoes, despite the heat."

Dave Hendricks covers general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4454.