| Resaca de la Palma State Park | |
|---|---|
 Resaca on Mexican Olive Trail, Resaca de la Palma State Park | |
   | |
| Location | Cameron County,Texas |
| Nearest city | Brownsville |
| Coordinates | 25°59′47″N97°34′17″W / 25.996275°N 97.5712694°W /25.996275; -97.5712694 |
| Area | 1,200 acres (490 ha) |
| Established | 2008 |
| Visitors | 11,206 (in 2022)[1] |
| Governing body | Texas Parks and Wildlife Department |
Resaca de la Palma State Park is one of three state parks belonging to theWorld Birding Center and managed by theTexas Parks and Wildlife Department. At 1,200 acres, Resaca de la Palma State Park is the largest of the World Birding Center sites and is located inBrownsville. The property was acquired by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in 1977 and was opened to the public in December 2008.[2] Aresaca is a type ofoxbow lake that can be found in Texas,[3] and is a formerchannels of theRio Grande. It is naturally cut off from the river, having no inlet or outlet.
The World Birding Center is a partnership between the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department,U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and nineRio Grande Valley communities. The center is dedicated to increasing the appreciation, understanding, and conservation of birds and other wildlife and their habitat. The center promotes the conservation and restoration of native woodland and wetland habitats along the lowerRio Grande. These habitats support diverse flora and fauna, including several endangered species as well as species occurring nowhere else in the United States. The World Birding Center's nine sites are located throughoutCameron,Hidalgo, andStarr counties.[4]
The primary recreational activity at Resaca de la Palma State Park isbirdwatching. The park offers several trails for hiking and biking, a tram tour, observation decks, and a butterfly garden. The visitor center includes a state park store, as well as a meeting room. Private vehicles are prohibited within the park. Resaca de la Palma's various trails are accessible by foot, bike, and tram.[5]
25°59′12″N97°33′54″W / 25.9867°N 97.5649°W /25.9867; -97.5649