A survey stake on land in the center of the National Butterfly Center where the border wall will be built. Photo courtesy of Marianna Trevino-Wright/National Butterfly Center. 

Aug. 11, 2017

At the end of July, workers arrived unannounced and started marking a 150-foot clearing zone at the National Butterfly Center in South Texas, in preparation for Trump’s border wall. 

The 100-acre sanctuary, which provides habitat for more than 200 species of butterflies, including the monarch, wasn’t notified in writing by the U.S. Department of Justice, as required by law. 

The wall as planned would run through the reserve, cutting off access to as much as 70 acres – two-thirds of the property.

“About four percent of our native wildlife will be trapped behind the border wall,” Marianna Trevino Wright, executive director of the butterfly reserve told the Washington Post recently.

The border wall could also cut across the nearby Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, 19 miles east of the butterfly center in Mission. According the National Wildlife Refuge Assocation, the wall would cut the world famous birding destination in half, separating the visitor's center from the rest of the property.

Jeffrey Glassberg, the founder of the National Butterfly Center told the Texas Observer, there isn’t a better place in the United States to see butterflies than the lower Rio Grande Valley. 

“On a perfect day you can see 100 different species — as many as 200,000 individual butterflies — it’s a special place. But with all of this going on it basically endangers the whole thing.”

President Trump’s wall faces multiple challenges, including funding, lack of political support and challenging terrain, according to the Washington Post. But he is relying on a 10-year-old congressional act created under President George W. Bush to construct a border wall without meeting environmental standards, reported Darryl Fears.

Wright said the Butterfly Center is talking to lawyers about how to fight it but fears there’s little they can do. 

“The government’s ultimate weapon is eminent domain,” Wright said.

“This is a much bigger issue than the National Butterfly Center,” Glassberg said. “There’s a procedure the government could follow with due process. But they’ve decided — like with so much else — to just ignore the law, trampling on private property rights. The complete disrespect for the legalities of this country is something that ought to concern every American regardless of how they feel about a border wall.”

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

The National Butterfly Center has prepared a letter that supporters can print and mail to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is performing the survey work for the wall, c/o Col. Paul Owens, commander of the USACE Southwestern Division, 1100 Commerce Street, Suite 831, Dallas, TX 75242-1317

You may also TWEET the the agency @USACE_SWD or call them during business hours (Monday - Friday) at 469-487-7007.

Supporters are also asked to contribute to the National Butterfly Center's legal defense fund or become a member of the sanctuary.

The National Wildlife Refuge Assocation has a posted an online petition supporting the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge.

SOURCES: Trump’s border wall would slice through wildlife refuges and cut off U.S. territory in Texas - Washington Post

National Butterfly Center Founder: Trump’s Border Wall Prep ‘Trampling on Private Property Rights’ - Texas Observer

Construction of first border wall segment to begin sooner than expected along Rio Grande - Texas Tribune

Stay up to date on everything green in North Texas, including the latest news and events! Sign up for the weekly Green Source DFW Newsletter! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.