| 1 | 1 | | 89R17694 KRT-D |
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| 2 | 2 | | By: Huffman S.C.R. No. 30 |
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| 7 | 7 | | CONCURRENT RESOLUTION |
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| 8 | 8 | | WHEREAS, Situated on the Texas coast, Matagorda County |
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| 9 | 9 | | provides a diverse set of habitats that welcome hundreds of bird |
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| 10 | 10 | | species each year; and |
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| 11 | 11 | | WHEREAS, The county's shoreline and marshes attract birds |
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| 12 | 12 | | such as ospreys, pelicans, and egrets, while inland terrains are |
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| 13 | 13 | | home to hawks, hummingbirds, blackbirds, and more; along the area's |
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| 14 | 14 | | bays and rivers, loons, cormorants, and mergansers can be found, |
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| 15 | 15 | | and the county is also on the pathway for numerous migratory |
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| 16 | 16 | | species, including flycatchers, vireos, and orioles; and |
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| 17 | 17 | | WHEREAS, Since 1993, the county has participated in the |
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| 18 | 18 | | Audubon Christmas Bird Count, and it has consistently earned a top |
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| 19 | 19 | | ranking for its rich diversity of species; during the 2023-2024 |
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| 20 | 20 | | count, the county had 225 types of birds in its tally, taking first |
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| 21 | 21 | | place for locations north of the U.S.-Mexico border; in addition, |
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| 22 | 22 | | it had the only examples of such rare birds as the surf scoter and |
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| 23 | 23 | | the blue grosbeak; and |
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| 24 | 24 | | WHEREAS, Matagorda County features many conservation areas |
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| 25 | 25 | | that help protect bird habitats; these include the Big Boggy |
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| 26 | 26 | | National Wildlife Refuge, the Mad Island Wildlife Management Area, |
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| 27 | 27 | | The Nature Conservancy's Clive Runnells Family Mad Island Marsh |
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| 28 | 28 | | Preserve, the Matagorda Peninsula Coastal Management Area, and the |
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| 29 | 29 | | Dog Island Preserve, which together encompass more than 26,000 |
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| 30 | 30 | | acres; in addition, residents and visitors can enjoy the region's |
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| 31 | 31 | | biodiversity at the Matagorda County Birding Nature Center and the |
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| 32 | 32 | | Matagorda Bay Nature Park, and Palacios is the site of the annual |
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| 33 | 33 | | Matagorda Bay Birdfest, where attendees can enjoy bird tours, a |
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| 34 | 34 | | parade, a youth art contest, and other activities; and |
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| 35 | 35 | | WHEREAS, Matagorda County has demonstrated a notable |
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| 36 | 36 | | commitment to preserving its abundant natural resources, ensuring |
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| 37 | 37 | | that it will continue to host myriad bird species, and the county's |
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| 38 | 38 | | status as a premier location to appreciate avian wildlife is indeed |
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| 39 | 39 | | deserving of recognition; now, therefore, be it |
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| 40 | 40 | | RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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| 41 | 41 | | hereby designate Matagorda County as the official Birding Capital |
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| 42 | 42 | | of Texas; and, be it further |
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| 43 | 43 | | RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of Section |
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| 44 | 44 | | 391.003(e), Government Code, this designation remain in effect |
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| 45 | 45 | | until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is finally |
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| 46 | 46 | | passed by the legislature. |
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