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CrowdLessons & Reflections from the National Butterfly Center

The eyes of the nation are upon us. Sean Hannity is broadcasting live from the “embattled banks” of the Rio Grande River; Governor Perry is riding the DPS “gun ship”; and planes marked US Army are delivering provisions for the relief efforts, currently underway.  Reporters come to our doors and news vans from stations far, far away park along the roadways, just waiting for something to happen—something serious or sensational—they can broadcast at 6 PM.  But there is nothing to see. Well, nothing out of the ordinary for those of us who have lived here most of our lives….

Men, women and children wandering out of the brush, trying to steal across the highways, or surrendering to the first person they see who might be able to offer water, food, assistance—this is nothing new. What is striking is the number coming, and the fact that people are paying attention.


For decades, this has been predominantly a border problem, an issue for the residents of Texas, Arizona and California. Daily, it affects our public policy and healthcare systems, our schools and businesses, but the interior of the United States has remained relatively insulated from the impact of waves of immigrants that wash up on our shores and crash the invisible, desert gates that divide countries, families and opportunity.

So, now we have a storm. It is not a crisis, nor are we under attack. Good guys and bad, continue to slip through the cracks, but it’s life as usual for residents of the Rio Grande Valley. Yes, there is a small tent city on the playground of Sacred Heart Church, but this sort of thing happens during hurricane season, too. Then, we empty our closets and take up donations, deal with small outbreaks and put people (no matter their status) on buses to reach family elsewhere.

I do not mean to minimize the plight of refugees fleeing violence in their homelands, or the perils they have faced; nor do I wish to debate border security or immigration policy. I only want to say there is no disaster here, no cause for rubbernecking.  Like police directing traffic at the scene of an accident, I want to say, “Move along, folks. There is nothing to see, here.”  Let the professionals do their jobs. Keep your heads and hands inside your car.

So, what’s the lesson from the National Butterfly Center, with regard to all of this?  If you see a crowd of news vans and people puddling in one place on Butterfly Park Drive, with binoculars, cameras and all sorts of hubbub, COME RUNNING!  It means we have something spectacular to share—like last year’s Zebra Cross-streak, or the Orion Cecropian the year before.

I wish people were calling us from around the state and nation to ask what great butterflies we’ve seen! What birds, dragonflies and bugs abound? That is our goal, after all, to call attention to the wonders of wild butterflies and the importance of habitat to support them.

To those who have called to inquire as to whether we are safe, and whether it’s safe to visit, the answer is YES—and thank you. Things are good and we are growing. Come to deep South Texas and see for yourself. The people are great (as I hope you’ve heard) and our hospitality is outstanding. The butterflies are pretty fantastic, too!
 
 

We are grateful for the support of:

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Inside the National Butterfly Center

Hours of Operation

Open 7 Days a Week 
8:00 - 5:00
364 Days / Year

Closed Easter Sunday

Come See Us

National Butterfly Center
3333 Butterfly Park Drive
Mission, TX 78572
956-583-5400
GPS Coordinates:
26.180243 -98.364973

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