We have arrived at the Volunteer Village for the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge is pretty big, encompassing 44,413-acres. The combination of freshwater sloughs, salt marshes and mud flats create an unique environment. There are more than 400 species of birds, 95 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 130 species of butterflies and dragonflies.
We are volunteering in the Discovery Center. There is a mamma alligator that comes up onto a wooden platform right beside the board walk to bask in the sun. She has been around for a while and has hatched at least 2 broods here. we often see last years offspring, who are about 12-14″ long and the ones from the year before who are about 3′ long.
Nina is enjoying the butterflies. We raise them here. Currently there are Monarch Butterflies. They grow milkweed on site for butterfly food. Every morning we feed the caterpillars, check the pupae and move any new butterflies to the adult habitat. It’s fun to watch the process.
The Happy Wanderers 