Rio Bravo Ocelot Fan Club

The Barrera boys tell Daisy Martinez, of Action 4 news, about the Resaca Restoration Project

2011-08-09T12:48:00.001-07:00

Aaron and Paul did a great job in their first TV interview explaining the importance of wetlands restoration and community appreciation of the outdoors.

my new job at rio bravo institute

2011-08-08T15:07:00.001-07:00

working at the library and worked on resaca restoration project

Farmer's Market

2011-06-16T09:38:00.000-07:00

Hiya!
Last Saturday, I went to the Brownsville Farmer's Market and it was so awesome! There were so many sights and smells: some people sold their paintings, photographs, and crafts, but mostly they sold delicious locally grown and raised food! There was little round butternut squash, and tall lemon grass, and honey and salsa and honey-salsa. There were eggs and beef and chicken and tacos and tamales and fruit cups and big yellow pineapples and bright green cinnamon basil and it all looked and smelled wonderful. I only had $5.00 and I got 6 ripe tomatos and 4 plump cucumbers! As soon as I got home I could not wait to try my "catch" so I sliced the tomatoes and cucumbers up with my claws and gobbled it all up! I had gooey tomato juice on my wiskers and cucumber peel in between my fangs but I didn't care because it was so so so yummy! To visit the Farmer's Market, every Saturday between 9am and 12pm, go to Linear Park (in front of the courthouse) between 7th and Harrison St. Don't forget to bring your loose change! Check out the website!
Buh Bye,
Aya

The Beach

2011-06-07T08:23:00.000-07:00

Hiya!
I went to the beach a few days ago and just scribbled some thoughts down:

"The juxtaposition of beauty and waste, of life and death slowly unrolled before me.

The first sight my eyes beheld was an offshore oil rig on the horizon past turquoise waves, the lull of the sea breaking onto shore, and the finely shredded plastic strands intertwined with seaweed. I witnessed my first ever seagull mating ritual: 3 broad-chested males competing for the attention of 1 aloof female!

I stepped into the sea, which greeted my feet with clear, cool water and another wave broke the crystal silence with brown murkiness as big, brown pelicans glided gracefully in a V-shape just above. On the sand lay a tiny cardboard box and what I mistook to be a small sliver of aluminum was a tiny silver crab that quickly disappeared into a perfectly circular hole in the sand, the diameter of a pencil.

I can no longer ignore pollution, I see it everywhere! But at the same time, seeing the life and beauty that remains, I can't help but feel a little hopeful. To envision off-shore windmills instead of oil rigs, to imagine a future free of pollution; I can't help but feel at least a little optimistic...to believe that maybe everything will be alright."

Whew! That was intense! What do you think when you see pollution? Does it make you mad, or sad? What is one thing you can do to make South Texas pollution-free? Talk to your friends and family about ways not to litter. Maybe next time you go to the park or the beach, you can be an Earth Ambassador and bring a bag with you to clean up the pollution and be part of the solution!

Buh Bye!
Aya

2011-05-30T18:12:00.000-07:00

Hey!

Sorry I have not written in a while, I have been doing some hiking and traveling all around the world! I visited family and friends in Latin America and some in other parts of Texas. I have to tell you some exiting news. When I got back, I found out that Rio Bravo Wildlife Institute partnered with Walmart to create a beautiful, thriving community garden at Lincoln Park in Brownsville, TX. Traveling on the “Lone Star Eco-Bus,” the Earth Ambassadors took a trip to Corpus Christi, TX and worked with kiddos at the Boys and Girls club to create a community garden there!

Today, I volunteered at the Rio Bravo community garden and got to take some veggies home! I got some lettuce leaves, some green onions, and dug up some carrots from the beautiful dark brown earth to make a very yummy salad. I also got some basil and cilantro that I will use to make some other delicious meals!

Check out this youtube video to learn about photosynthesis!

Interested in making your own garden at home? Check out this website and ask an adult to help you!

Buh Bye, Aya the Ocelot

Urban Ecology Center Garden Beds

2010-12-17T10:52:00.001-08:00

Rio Bravo is building garden beds at the Urban Ecology Center this Saturday from 9-12. Sign up at http://www.rbwi.org/get-involved/become-volunteer to get involved with us and help make your community a more vibrant place to live.

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2010-12-13T16:01:00.001-08:00

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6 Year Old Wildlife Artist Poses With Aya

2010-12-13T15:49:00.001-08:00

Sally, recently turned 7, donated her pencil and crayon artwork of a Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle, a jaguarundi, and an ocelot. These three animals are endangered species of the Rio Grande Valley. Educating our youth about their unique and valuable local ecology is one of the most effective ways of fostering a community that appreciates the natural world. It is nice to see this young artist take an interest in these magnificent animals.

Thank You, Sally.

May we educate as we innovate, ways to bring health to our natural state.

2010-12-06T12:22:00.001-08:00

Gettin' Savvy

2010-03-31T12:17:00.000-07:00

Hiya!

A couple weeks ago I thought a blog was where snakes lived. I also thought only a spider would want to look at a website.

But I am trying to keep up with my friends all around the country now, and this blog helps me do that. I also signed up for Facebook, and Twitter. You can click the link down to the right to follow my twitter. And if you want to keep up with me facebook, just look up "Rio Bravo Ocelot Fan Club" on your facebook.

I look forward to posting on your "wall" and "tweeting."

Okee dokee, I gotta get back to this "What kind of girl scout cookie are you?" facebook quiz. (I'm thinking Do-si-do)

Buh-Bye,

Aya

2010-03-26T12:58:00.000-07:00

Hiya!

It is starting to get hot down here in South Texas! That is okay with me, I just lay in the shade during the day and come out for dinner at night. I feel like a little celebrity down here sometimes, people are starting to recognize me! Me and my people friends at the local wildlife refuge have decided to start giving presentations at local schools down here. If you think this would be interesting we would be glad to come give a talk at your school. Just send me an email or comment.

Well, I am going to take a dip in the bay, hope it is beautiful where ever you are!

Buh-bye,

Aya

Hiya this is Aya!

2010-03-22T12:52:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my NEW BLOG!!! In case you didn't know, my name is Aya and I am an Ocelot. My species lives in South America, Central America, and in Texas. I live in Texas, in the Rio Grande Valley. I generally like to keep to myself, chase lizards, climb trees, and watch sunsets. This blog, however, is how I do my part to protect my environment and look out for my fellow ocelots.

You see, Ocelots are endangered, meaning if our environment is not protected from bulldozers and pollution then we Ocelots might all die one day. The Rio Grande Valley, where I live, is home to many beautiful animals like me, and also some friendly people who really like to live with us and keep our homes beautiful. The Rio Bravo Wildlife Institute contacted me recently and told me they wanted my help in preserving this environment. I told them "You help me get some human friends, and I am in!" And that is exactly what they have done. They introduced me to The After School Place in North Dakota, a group of kids that helped save a family of ocelots down here in South Texas. They also had a party for me for Valentine's Day and 200 leaders from the community came to support the Ocelot.

So here I am, stepping out of the forest, and into the internet to tell you about the life of an ocelot, and what my human friends are doing to protect it. Feel free to leave any comments and say "HI" to me and I will try to write you back. Oops, there's a lizard! gotta run, see you soon my friend!

Buh Bye,

Aya

Coming Soon - RBWI's New Book

2010-03-21T16:11:00.001-07:00