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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Situated on the Texas coast, Matagorda County |
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provides a diverse set of habitats that welcome hundreds of bird |
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species each year; and |
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WHEREAS, The county's shoreline and marshes attract birds |
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such as ospreys, pelicans, and egrets, while inland terrains are |
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home to hawks, hummingbirds, blackbirds, and more; along the area's |
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bays and rivers, loons, cormorants, and mergansers can be found, |
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and the county is also on the pathway for numerous migratory |
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species, including flycatchers, vireos, and orioles; and |
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WHEREAS, Since 1993, the county has participated in the |
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Audubon Christmas Bird Count, and it has consistently earned a top |
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ranking for its rich diversity of species; during the 2023-2024 |
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count, the county had 225 types of birds in its tally, taking first |
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place for locations north of the U.S.-Mexico border; in addition, |
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it had the only examples of such rare birds as the surf scoter and |
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the blue grosbeak; and |
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WHEREAS, Matagorda County features many conservation areas |
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that help protect bird habitats; these include the Big Boggy |
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National Wildlife Refuge, the Mad Island Wildlife Management Area, |
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The Nature Conservancy's Clive Runnells Family Mad Island Marsh |
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Preserve, the Matagorda Peninsula Coastal Management Area, and the |
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Dog Island Preserve, which together encompass more than 26,000 |
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acres; in addition, residents and visitors can enjoy the region's |
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biodiversity at the Matagorda County Birding Nature Center and the |
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Matagorda Bay Nature Park, and Palacios is the site of the annual |
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Matagorda Bay Birdfest, where attendees can enjoy bird tours, a |
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parade, a youth art contest, and other activities; and |
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WHEREAS, Matagorda County has demonstrated a notable |
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commitment to preserving its abundant natural resources, ensuring |
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that it will continue to host myriad bird species, and the county's |
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status as a premier location to appreciate avian wildlife is indeed |
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deserving of recognition; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby designate Matagorda County as the official Birding Capital |
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of Texas; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of Section |
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391.003(e), Government Code, this designation remain in effect |
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until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is finally |
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passed by the legislature. |