Wings of Opportunity: New Roma Bluffs center employee full of fresh ideas

Roma Bluffs World Birding Center has already impressed Christine Donald.

The new outdoor recreational planner filled her position Jan. 7; in that short time the area’s history and wildlife have captured her attention and ignited her enthusiasm.

“Being so close to the border, it’s an excellent opportunity to see a variety of birds from Mexico,” said Donald, 39, who previously worked at Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge in Tennessee.

“The history is very interesting,” Donald said. “The people have been very friendly. I have come specifically to help the schools and do environmental educational programming. Next week’s curriculum will be a variety of topics from endangered species to recycling.”

Donald holds a teaching degree and certification in secondary education.

She has already visited some schools and planned to do a career day during which she can talk about various jobs available in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

“Even if they don’t want to be in the outdoors they can be an ecologist, a biologist, they can even be a secretary,” she said.

Donald is working on starting a series of canoe trips this month, running between Chapeño and Salineño.

“The river is beautiful,” she said. “Most people like to get out there on the water and enjoy the scenery and enjoy the birds.”

The Roma birding center is now open Tuesday through Saturday, after a few months of an inconsistent schedule because of a turnover in personnel. Now, with the arrival of Winter Texans, there are plenty of volunteers to meet visitors.

“We’re getting a lot of staff on Thursday and Friday,” Donald said.

A group of bicyclists had just congregated up the street less than an hour before closing.

Travis Whitehead covers features and entertainment for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4452.