Sabal Palm Sanctuary

An Exciting and Inviting Nature Park

by Martha E. Ibarra/LFN

The Rio Grande Valley prides itself on being home to some of the rarest species of plants and animals. With the cold winter days quickly fading and spring being just around the corner, there is no time like the present to get up and get out.

Now is the perfect time to take advantage and explore all that the Valley’s nature parks have to offer. Sabal Palm Sanctuary, located in Brownsville, is one of many parks that allows the public to get up close and personal with nature.

Sabal Palm Sanctuary is a 527-acre preserve that species such as armadillos, snakes, butterflies, and a variety of birds call home. The Sanctuary also hosts one of the last stands of old-growth Sabal Palm Jungle in the United States.

Aside from weekly bird walks, the Sabal Palm Sanctuary also offers history tours. The public has the chance to stroll through the grove, walk down to the Rio Grande and even get to learn about the 1891 Rabb Plantation Home that is located on the grounds of the Sanctuary.

Sabal Palm Sanctuary promotes the hands on education of nature and preservation. According to their site, “The Sanctuary is dedicated to instilling a shared appreciation and sense of stewardship for the natural world.” Sabal Palm Sanctuary is located at 8435 Sabal Palm Rd. in Brownsville and welcomes everyone to get a firsthand look at nature in the Valley.