The First & Only Ecotourism Center in the State of Texas!

Spring May Market Day

Waiver Booth STEC Spring Market Day 2026

 

2026 Winter-Spring Speaker Series

Thursday, April 23,

5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

2026 Winter-Spring Speaker Series Thursday, Apr 23rd, 5:30—7:00pm At the South Texas Ecotourism Center 501 W. State Highway 100. Laguna Vista, Texas 78578 (956) 772-0210 www.stec-lv.org Free to the Public! Snacks & Refreshments Provided “iNaturalist and the City Nature Challenge” by Roberto Gaitan Roberto Gaitan is a native Texan, born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley. He left south Texas after high school to attend college and returned almost three decades later to become a High School Science Teacher and a Texas Master Naturalist in 2014. It is then that Roberto discovered the uniqueness of his backyard and the peril of our native species and native habitat. Roberto served as President of the Rio Grande Valley Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist for three years. He is also a board member of the Friends of Estero Llano Grande State Park, board member of the Native Plant Project group, and recently became President of the organization he helped establish, the Rio Grande Valley Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas. 

 

2026 Winter-Spring Speaker Series

Thursday, May 28,

5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

2026 Winter-Spring Speaker Series Thursday, May 28th, 5:30—7:00pm At the South Texas Ecotourism Center 501 W. State Highway 100. Laguna Vista, Texas 78578 (956) 772-0210 www.stec-lv.org Free to the Public! Snacks & Refreshments Provided “Sea Turtle Inc. Current Work & Research” by Victoria Salinas Guerra Victoria joined Sea Turtle Inc. in 2024 as the Director of Education. Throughout her career, Victoria has actively contributed to environmental education and research. She has served as an educator at the Gladys Porter Zoo and the UTRGV Coastal Studies Lab, where she engaged students and the public on marine species and conservation practices. Her commitment extends beyond formal roles, as she has volunteered at Sea Turtle Inc. since her undergraduate years. Additionally, Victoria is a Texas Master Naturalist, further demonstrating her dedication to environmental stewardship and community involvement. She graduated from Texas A&M University in 2015 with a Bachelor’s degree in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism, focusing on Parks and Conservation. Building on this foundation, she earned a Master’s in Earth, Environmental, and Marine Science from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) in 2022. Her graduate research culminated in a thesis dissertation on the growth and reproduction of Black Corals, both in situ and in aquaculture. Hailing from Brownsville, Texas, she has always been connected to the environmental issues of the region. Victoria is also a certified Rescue Scuba Diver, leveraging her skills in underwater exploration for conservation efforts. 

 

2026 Winter-Spring Speaker Series

Thursday, June 18,

5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

2026 Winter-Spring Speaker Series Thursday, June 18th, 5:30—7:00pm At the South Texas Ecotourism Center 501 W. State Highway 100. Laguna Vista, Texas 78578 (956) 772-0210 www.stec-lv.org Free to the Public! Snacks & Refreshments Provided “Health Benefits of Forest Bathing” by Taylor Zavala Tay Zavala is a certified Relational Forest Therapy Guide through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy and Certified Nature-Based Education Teacher contributing to the education team at Quinta Mazatlán as an Environmental Education Supervisor. After receiving their Bachelors of Fine Arts at Emerson College they returned to the Rio Grande Valley to explore their relationship with the land through storytelling between different written and visual forms of expression. Forest Bathing or Shinrin –Yoku is a practice that originated in Japan in the early 1980s. The practice was developed in response to the effects of the technological boom on people’s quality of life, aiming to reduce burnout, stress and reconnect people with nature. Engaging with our environment through multiple senses not only expands our ability to be present, but nurtures our relationship to the land and to each other. Participants will learn the health benefits of the practice and discover simple ways they can integrate the practice into their daily lives. 

 

2026 Winter-Spring Speaker Series Lineup

2026 Winter-Spring Speaker Series Lineup At the South Texas Ecotourism Center 501 W. State Highway 100. Laguna Vista, Texas 78578 (956) 772-0210 www.stec-lv.org Thursday, Feb 12th, 5:30—7:00pm Mike Heep “Plants Named for Robert Runyon” —————————–———–——————–—— Thursday, Feb 26th, 5:30—7:00pm Anita Westervelt “Native Plants a Bit on the Shady Side” ———————————————————–—— Thursday, Mar 19th, 5:30—7:00pm Dr. William C. Davis “This Place: N 26° 8’ 41”, W 97° 21’ 55”” —————————————————————— Thursday, Mar 26th, 5:30—7:00pm Melissa Guerra “The History of Tortillas” Thursday, Apr 9th, 5:30—7:00pm Luciano Guerra “Texas Horned Lizards” —————————————————————————- Thursday, Apr 23rd, 5:30—7:00pm Robert Gaitan “iNaturalist and the City Nature Challenge” ———————————–——–————————–——— Thursday May 28th, 5:30—7:00pm Sea Turtle Inc. Topic: Sea Turtle Inc. Current Work & Research ——————————————————————–——— Thursday Jun 18th, 5:30—7:00pm Taylor Zavala “Health Benefits of Forest Bathing” 

 

Breakfast with the Birds

Everyday 9:00am-11:00am

Tree Frog Coffee

 

 

Meditation & Restorative Yoga

 

Meditation & Restorative Yoga Mondays 10:15 am to 11:00 am FREE

Bird Bingo

Bird Bingo

 

Bird Bingo pt 2

 

Summer Camp

Summer Camp Registration HERE

Summer Camp at the South Texas Ecotourism Center. Registration Now Open! • Arts & Crafts • Scavenger Hunt • Nature expeditions • Many more activities! • Learn about native plants, wildlife, ecosystems, and more! • Different themes each week June 2—25th (4 weeks) Mondays—Thursdays, 9am-12pm (noon) Ages 7-11 (Must be 7 at start of camp) $50 per child, each week OR $150 for the entire month To register, Call: (956) 772-0219 OR Print forms from our website: STEC-Lv.org OR Visit us in-person: 501 W TX Hwy 100, Laguna Vista, TX 78578

Experiencing, Restoring, and Preserving the Native Landscape

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Our mission is to encourage the exploration of South Texas by highlighting its assets spreading across the counties.

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EXPERIENCING, RESTORING and PRESERVING the NATIVE LANDSCAPE

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South Texas Ecotourism Center – Introduction

Cameron County Commissioner, David Garza introduces the NEW South Texas Ecotourism Center in Laguna-Vista, Texas. The South Texas Ecotourism Center and directory will put the cities of South Texas in the spotlight for locals and visitors to visit. Our intention is to give visitors and residents alike a greater appreciation of our beloved South Texas, and to bring everyone here closer together.

Get all of the most recent news and updates on the new South Texas Ecotourism Center. Our mission is to encourage the exploration of South Texas by highlighting its assets, whether rural or large, spreading across the counties.

The South Texas Ecotourism Center and directory will put the cities of South Texas in the spotlight for locals and visitors to visit. Our intention is to give visitors and residents alike a greater appreciation of our beloved South Texas, and to bring everyone here closer together.

Welcome To The
South Texas Ecotourism Center

Project Goals

  • Native planting to increase biodiversity
  • Responsible and innovative storm water management strategies
  • Bolster community engagement and local economy
  • Use of native landscape materials to reduce maintenance and water costs
  • Space for community gatherings and events
  • Artful design elements to attract and retain visitors

Upcoming Events

Join South Texas Ecotourism Center at the upcoming events below. From fundraisers to local community events we’d love to see you there!

Event Calendar

Rental Space

Various areas of the South Texas Ecotourism Center are available to rent for meetings and special events

Rental Form

Address

501 W. State Highway 100
Laguna Vista, Texas 78578
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Hours of Operation:

7 days a week  (daily)  8am to 5 pm

Contact Us

(956) 772-0210​ – Office
(956)772-0219 – Education

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