Jennifer Owen-White from the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge welcomes the crowd to the ocelot show during Vida Verde.
Two young people find a comfortable place to enjoy the new Ruby Pond at Quinta Mazatlan. The pond was constructed as an educational tool where everyone can learn about the cycles of life around natural water features.
Close up shot of C.L., a 12 year old Ocelot from the Cincinnati Zoo. Ocelots are very endangered. Less than 50 are reported to live in the United States.
There’s always something to see at Quinta Mazatlan. Entering the main gate visitors are greeted by birds in the trees, lizards on the ground and manicured pathways through the woods.
C.L. the ocelot looks back at the crowd during the ocelot show and tell sponsored by the Cincinnati Zoo.
C.L. is a female ocelot. She was born and bred in captivity but is still a wild animal. Ocelots live eight to ten years in the wild and could live up to 20 years with good care in captivity.
A fun break during all of the activity at the Vida Verde festival is to sit down on the adult sized wrought iron swing. It hangs down about 15 feet from it’s mooring in a tree.
This is the main meeting room inside the newly opened Discovery Center at Quinta Mazatlan. The Discovery Center is a building where young and old alike can learn about the great outdoors that surrounds us. The building was built with environmentally secure products.
Speaking at the grand opening of the Discovery Center was David Guerra from IBC Bank. IBC is a major sponsor of the Discovery Center.
U. S. Congressman, Ruben Hinojosa also spoke to the crowd at the opening of the Discovery Center. He voiced support for all forms of education including environmental education.
Jonathan Wood, noted ornithologist from the Raptor Project, addresses the crowd at the opening of the Discovery Center. Wood asked everyone to be kind to nature and to take care of the wild creatures which are part of nature.
Quinta board president, Dr. John Gerling and McAllen City Commissioner, Jim Darling explained to those present about the LEED certification earned by the Discovery Center. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED awards are only presented to structures that meet a high standard of environmental design.
One of the two large outdoor learning areas at the Discovery Center.
The main educational classroom inside the Discovery Center.
Have you had your frogfruit today? Quinta Mazatlan is a natural habitat for good looking greenery that is either local or easily adaptable to our local climate.
The front view of the Discovery Center. The main meeting room is to the left and the large classroom is to the right.
The, rambling, water, part, of, the, newly, opened, Ruby, Pond.
Ruby Pond is also a natural photo spot for all occasions.
Parents, brought, children, to, Vida, Verde, for, the, many, activities, taking, place, all, day, long.
Playing, in, sand, can, be, orderly, and, clean
Quinta Mazatlan has constructed a childrens climbing play area. Its called the Boulder Hill, where kids can climb for fun and pose for pictures.
Dinosaur George, from the TV show visits Vida Verde every year. Kids and adults alike marvel at his collection of dinosaur bones and stories of the T-Rex which roamed the Valley millions of years ago.
