(Mission, TX) – Dr. Jeffrey Glassberg, president and founder of the North American Butterfly Association (NABA), recently announced the organization’s acquisition of an additional 350 acres of land in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas, for the benefit of wild, free-flying butterflies.

Thanks to a generous donation from The Nature Conservancy, NABA has taken possession of the property formerly known as ‘Chihuahua Woods,’ located just six miles west of NABA’s flagship project, the National Butterfly Center. The newly acquired acreage will now be named ‘Pixie Preserve,’ with distinct hours of operation to be published as soon as it is ready to reopen to the public.

“On behalf of our board of directors, I am pleased to recognize The Nature Conservancy’s gift,” states Dr. Glassberg. “Over the last twenty years, our staff, members and volunteers have demonstrated our commitment to conservation in South Texas, as well as our competence in this arena, by transforming what was an onion field into the country’s premier botanical garden focused on native plants for pollinators. Pixie Preserve is the perfect complement to the National Butterfly Center, and we are honored to be entrusted with it based upon our mission, principles and track record of good stewardship.”

Today, the National Butterfly Center boasts 240 species of butterflies and almost 300 species of birds, in addition to endangered plants and protected wildlife species that are being displaced by land development, commercial agriculture, climate change and border wall construction. Open 7 days a week, the center hosts more than 35,000 visitors each year, facilitates nearly 100 school field trips and operates the annual Texas Butterfly Festival for the City of Mission.

“We have lots to do to prepare Pixie Preserve for a rich and productive future,” states Marianna Trevino Wright, executive director of the National Butterfly Center. “This work-in-progress will start with trail restoration and the installation of signage, supplemental plantings and ‘open house’ events, then guided hikes, field education days and hopefully, the property’s first July 4th butterfly count.”

Anyone interested in volunteering or contributing financial support to recovery efforts at the Pixie Preserve is encouraged to call 956.583.5400 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

To learn more about the National Butterfly Center, and how you can join us, visit www.nationalbutterflycenter.org. Your annual membership and charitable gifts impact the beauty of our community and help preserve the biologically diverse, natural treasures of deep South Texas.

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The National Butterfly Center is committed to ‘Growing Connections’ between people, plants, and the winged wonders that pollinate and propagate all that grows around us. We do this through educational and environmental initiatives that cultivate meaningful understanding of the processes that create sustainable ecosystems. The Center is open to the public, for visitors and members, seven days/week.