Creating landscape habitats that inspire children to learn A butterfly garden is an easy way to introduce children to nature, and Williams Wildscapes believes every school should have one. Top right the Zebra longwing butterfly is a beautiful tropical species that also lives through out the Rio Grande Valley. The adults have an unusual habit of roosting in groups, and they return to the same roost each evening. It owes its scientific name Heliconius charitonius to Greek mythology. The genus is derived from Helicon, a mountain in the Greek province of Boeotia. The Zebra longwing is 3-3 ½ inches, with long narrow black wings and yellow stripes.

Williams Wildscapes, Inc. Consultation – Design – Installation

Allen Williams 956-460-9864

According to the National Butterfly Association, “almost 40% of the 700+ butterflies that occur in the United States can be seen in a three county area of the LRGV.” That means the Lower Rio Grande Valley has as many butterflies as New Mexico, and Arizona combined, and more than the entire eastern United States. Schools across South Texas have landscape space to attract butterflies and birds, yet most school grounds do not take advantage to create landscapes that support the connection between the environment and student learning. Williams Wildscapes believes in landscape designs that help children re-connect with nature. Seven year old Easton Williams extends his hand to let a Queen butterfly land on his finger at Williams Wildlife Sanctuary. He is filled with excitement as he experiences the wonders and patterns of these amazing insects. Nature inspires children! Click below to see other organizations that know the value of educating children through nature.

NABA South Texas

Creating A School Habitat

National Butterfly Center

District Administration

Heard Natural Science Museum

National Wildlife Federation Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge

Edinburg Scenic Wetlands

Quinta Mazatlan

Valley Nature Center

Frontera Audubon Society

Estero Llano Grande

The Nebraska Department of Education in partnership with the World Forum have initiated, “The Call to Action,” re-connecting the worlds children with nature. These organizations believe that, “children grow healthier, wiser, and more content when they are fully connected throughout their childhood to the natural environment in as many educational and recreational settings as possible.” The photos below are visible examples of children engaged in teamwork, curiosity, and pride from their connection to the natural environment.

Thank you Gabriel Mapel, age 10 from Shenandoah Valley Virginia. We enjoyed your book, “Oh No, Gertrude!” What a great message, “a fed bear is a dead bear.” It was a privilege to have you and your dad visit Williams Wildlife Sanctuary.

Charles Kerchner has examined efforts to reform the Los Angeles Unified School District and he writes, "districts are fully invested in 20th century brick and mortar schools with century old models of learning inside.” Kerchner argues that we need new teaching infrastructure. Williams Wildscapes believes that an element of a new teaching infrastructure is simple, and that schools should use their outdoor spaces as additional learning environments. Allen Williams adds fish to a water feature he created for a local elementary in Mission, Texas. Science becomes interactive for these students!

In 1923 Professor W.W. Cooke writes that the Black-bellied Whistling Duck had disappeared from the Brownsville region. Today this beautiful bird is a regular visitor to Williams Wildlife Sanctuary, and they compete with the Red Crowned Parrots for nesting boxes.

North American Nature Photography Associations Nature Photography Summit, McAllen, Texas May 2011. One young photographer sets up to take pictures of a

spider on a cactus pod at Williams Wildlife Sanctuary.

A Buff-bellied Hummingbird photographed by Landon Williams, age 9 at Williams Wildlife Sanctuary is a Rio Grande Valley specialty. Third place winner of the 2010 Valley Land Fund Photo Contest.

We understand that landscaping for wildlife requires three interwoven elements: natural food, shelter, and water. We have come to see that people know that being outdoors is stimulating to the senses, and we believe that children need to have this stimulatory experience. Many visitors travel from all over the country to visit the Rio Grande Valley to bird watch, to take in the natural beauty, and to experience our small urban sanctuary. We know that it is a simple process to make the outdoor environment an educational one.!

Canadian Photographers at Williams Wildlife Sanctuary

We are accustomed to greeting unique bird watchers, but in 2011 seven Amish visitors from Pennsylvania took us by surprise. Their group included a mom and dad, their two sons, along with their three friends. They were escorted by a husband and wife driving team.

Texas Parks & Wildlife nature writer Karen Hastings describes us as “one of several outstanding backyard nature destinations in the lower four counties of Texas.” Our business started unintentionally when we turned our yard into a diverse environment that attracted two rare birds to the Rio Grande Valley. First, a Blue Mockingbird which had only been seen a few times in Texas, and then a Black-headed Nightingale Thrush which had never before been documented in the United States . The Black-headed Nightingale Thrush has a distinctive bright orange orbital eye ring. People from 38 states showed up to see this rare bird. We are proud that National Geographic’s 5th Edition to the birds of North America documents Pharr, Texas as the only record for this bird. We believe that reconnecting kids to nature is a good way to stimulate learning. E Eight grade teacher Steven Hurley believes in the benefits of taking his students outside to walk , and then write for 20 minutes of solitary uninterrupted time. Mr. Hurley says that he is impressed with the quality of their reflective writing, “using rich language “and “deep levels of connection.“

Allen Williams demonstrates at Quinta Mazatlan how he creates a single stone water feature. He explains how to choose the right spot where water will flow before using a hammer drill to bore a one inch hole. Listed below are links that refer to us.

Welcome to the House of the Blue Mockingbird - Ron Smith

Nature Hot Spots - City of Pharr

Allen Williams backyard -Will Stuart

Yojoa and Red lined Scrub-Hairstreak - Phil

Bird watching at Allen Williams’s property - Connie Toops

Seeing Birds

American Birding Association - Bill Maynard

Rare Birds in Texas

College Nature Photographers Video -North American Nature Photography Association Annual Summit RGV

Eastern Screech Owls occupy a recycled palm at Williams Wildlife Sanctuary.

References City of McAllen: Quinta Mazatlan Angela Leal Elementary City of Edinburg: Edinburg Scenic Wetlands Shary Elementary Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge Father Gregory Labus NABA Mission, Texas Rene & Sylvia Alanis San Jose Ranch Subdivision Joe & Shawn Patterson Frontera Audubon Society David & Stacey Egger