Rio Bravo RC&D Area

"Implementing strategies for the orderly development, wise use, and conservation of native resources"

Counties Served

Brooks Cameron Duval Hidalgo Jim Hogg Jim Wells

Kenedy Kleberg Starr Webb Willacy Zapata

For Information Contact: Rio Bravo RC&D Area Raul Villarreal, Coordinator North Rachal Road and County Road 205 Falfurrias, TX  78355 Phone (361) 325-5340 Fax (361) 325-2236

Population:

• 1.5 million with 78% residing in major urban areas including Laredo and corridor from Mission to Brownsville along highway 83. 
• 10% residing in rural communities of less than 20,000.
• The other 20% reside in numerous small communities and built up areas that range from 450 for an entire county to 8,000.

Land Use:

Total area -10.8 million acres consisting of:

• Dryland/Cropland
• Irrigated Cropland
• Pastureland
• Wildlife land
• Mined land
• Water bodies
• Rangeland - 90 percent of the land use
• Average operating unit - 759 acres ranging in size from 10 acres to 825,000 acres

South Texas Eco-Tourism Marketing Alliance

The Rio Bravo RC&D Area is heavily involved in developing its Eco-Tourism (Historic/Nature/Cultural) industry in South Texas. The goal is to have South Texas become a preferred tourist destination.

Rio Bravo RC&D Area hosted several seminars to promote ranch diversification as a means of maintaining the family farm or ranch. More than 300 producers participated in these seminars. This effort resulted in developing a 300-mile Ranching Heritage Trail.

South Texas Eco-Tourism Marketing Alliance (STEMA) was organized as a support network to advertise and promote member ranches. It includes the attractions that each ranch offers as well as contact information.

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