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• Rio Grande Valley Weekend Biennial - All Inclusive Ticket

  • Start
    Friday, December 12, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Sunday, December 14, 2025
  •  
  • Location
    South Padre Island, Texas, USA
  • Spaces left
    25

  Register

  Rio Grande Valley Weekend Biennial - All Inclusive Ticket

  Hosted by the International Palm Society & the Palm Society of South Texas

  Dates: December 12-14, 2025
  

  Join the Palm Society of South Texas and the International Palm Society for a special weekend celebrating the unique flora and fauna of South Texas—featuring exclusive tours of private and public gardens, engaging expert speakers, and a visit to the last vestige of native Sabal palm forest.

  
  

  Sabal Palm Sanctuary

  
  

  
  

  South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary

  

  This event is intended for IPS members who are coming from out of town and provides transportation and access to all activities throughout the weekend.  You must have an IPS paid membership to register for this event.
  

  
  

  
  

  IPS Member All Inclusive Package: $325.00/person

  Available to all paid IPS membership levels:

  • Special discounted room rate with breakfast for attendees at Hotel Margaritaville (hotel room not included in price).
    
  • Ground transportation from Hotel Margaritaville to all events
  • Seafood Buffet Opening Banquet & Presentation by Jason Dewees, author of DESIGNING WITH PALMS.  Special introduction by Dr. Scott Zona, botanist and author of  A GARDENER'S GUIDE TO BOTANY: THE BIOLOGY BEHIND THE PLANTS YOU LOVE, HOW THEY GROW, AND WHAT THEY NEED.  A book signing by both authors will follow the presentation.
  • South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary guided tour 
  • Joint PSST and IPS Meeting at the Gladys Porter Zoo. The meeting will feature a special video presentation by Outdoor Reporter Richard Moore who has spent a lifetime documenting the natural wonders found around South Texas and Northern Mexico.  PSST members will guide a tour of the zoo, highlighting the society’s unique palm plantings integrated throughout the animal habitats and landscaped grounds.  An award winning South Texas BBQ lunch will be provided.
  • Private tour of two neighboring gardens and Happy Hour courtesy of Dr. Romeo Montalvo
  • Sabal Palm Sanctuary expert-guided tour and time to explore the Sabal palm forest, bird blinds, and historical buildings.   We will learn about the history of the Rio Grande River and 1892 Rabb Plantation House in a presentation by Larry Lof, CEO of the Gorgas Science Foundation and professor emeritus at the University of Texas-Brownsville.  Larry is a local historian, historical restoration specialist, and PSST member.   An authentic, made from scratch, Mexican lunch is included.
  • $100.00 Donation to IPS to help fund its conservation and research grants, Palms journal publication, and Palm Talk online community forum.

  Notes:

  • Hotel accommodation not included.  Attendees must make their own reservations.  A link for the discount will be provided in the confirmation email sent after registration is completed.
  • Getting There:

    Airfare is not included.

    Two airports serve the Brownsville area. Valley International Airport (HRL) in Harlingen has more service but is farther from San Padre Island, while Brownsville Airport (BRO) has more limited service but is closer to San Padre Island.  Transportation from/to the airport is not included in the package, however, as a courtesy, the biennial bus will leave the Sabal Palm Sanctuary at 3:00 pm and drop people off at Valley International Airport Sunday, December 14 (45 min drive).

  
  

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• Rio Grande Valley Weekend Biennial - A La Carte Menu Ticket

  • Start
    Friday, December 12, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Sunday, December 14, 2025
  •  
  • Location
    South Padre Island, Texas, USA

  Register

  Rio Grande Valley Weekend Biennial - A La Carte Menu Ticket

  Hosted by the International Palm Society & the Palm Society of South Texas

  Dates: December 12-14, 2025
  

  Join the Palm Society of South Texas and the International Palm Society for a special weekend celebrating the unique flora and fauna of South Texas—featuring exclusive tours of private and public gardens, engaging expert speakers, and a visit to the last vestige of native Sabal palm forest.

  
  

  Sabal Palm Sanctuary

  
  

  
  

  South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary

  

  
  

  This a la carte menu ticket gives local PSST members who are also IPS members the flexibility to choose the days they want to attend during registration.

  An IPS paid membership is required to register for this event.  PSST members who do not have an IPS paid membership will be invited to join the IPS as part of the registration.  PSST membership will be checked on site at individual events.  

  
  

  PSST & IPS Dual Membership a la carte Day Passes $60/person + optional extra charges

  The $60.00 per person base price is a donation to the IPS to help fund its conservation and research grants, Palms journal publication, and Palm Talk online community forum.

  Options at an extra charge:
  

  • Friday, December 12 Pass: 
  • • Texas Seafood Buffet Opening Banquet & Presentation by Jason Dewees, author of DESIGNING WITH PALMS.  Special introduction by Dr. Scott Zona, botanist and author of  A GARDENER'S GUIDE TO BOTANY: THE BIOLOGY BEHIND THE PLANTS YOU LOVE, HOW THEY GROW, AND WHAT THEY NEED.  A book signing by both authors will follow the presentation: + $60

  • Saturday, December 13 Pass: 
  • • South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary guided tour 
    • Joint PSST and IPS Meeting at the Gladys Porter Zoo. The meeting itself is free to all PSST members and will feature a special video presentation by Outdoor Reporter Richard Moore who has spent a lifetime documenting the natural wonders found around South Texas and Northern Mexico.  PSST members will give a tour of the zoo, highlighting the society’s unique palm plantings integrated throughout the animal habitats and landscaped grounds.  South Texas BBQ lunch by award winning RJ’s BBQ included.  This will include melt in your mouth brisket, ribs, chicken and plenty of sides.
    • Private Tour of Two Neighboring Gardens and Happy Hour (beer, wine, bourbon. scotch, soft drinks and snacks) courtesy of Dr. Romeo Montalvo:  + $32 

  • Sunday, December 14 Pass:  
  • • Sabal Palm Sanctuary expert-guided tour and free time to explore the Sabal palm forest, bird blinds, and historical buildings.   We will learn about the history of the Rio Grande River and 1892 Rabb Plantation House in a presentation by Larry Lof, CEO of the Gorgas Science Foundation and professor emeritus at the University of Texas-Brownsville.  Larry is a local historian, historical restoration specialist, and PSST member.   
    • Authentic, Made From Scratch, Mexican Lunch:  + $40

  
  

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• PSST and IPS Joint Meeting - Gladys Porter Zoo, Texas

  • When
    Saturday, December 13, 2025
  •  
    11:00 AM
  • Location
    South Padre Island, Texas, USA
  • Spaces left
    200

  Register

  PSST and IPS Joint Meeting - Gladys Porter Zoo

  Saturday, December 13, 2025  at 11:00 am

  
  

  This joint meeting between the Palm Society of South Texas and the International Palm Society is a fun way to celebrate our common passion for palms and learn what makes each society unique.  

  
  

  
  

  This meeting is FREE with an option to purchase a BBQ lunch for  PSST members and all IPS members, including those at the free membership level - but you must register, no entry without registration.  This event is in conjunction with the Rio Grande Valley Weekend Biennial and not open to the public, membership will be confirmed at the Zoo.

  Highlights:

  A special video presentation by Outdoor Reporter Richard Moore who has spent a lifetime documenting the natural wonders found around South Texas and Northern Mexico.  

  PSST members will offer a botanical tour of the zoo, highlighting the society’s unique palm plantings integrated throughout the animal habitats and landscaped grounds.  

  IPS board members will formally honor PSST for its years of palm conservation work at the zoo and Sabal Palm Sanctuary

  Optional Lunch at an Extra Charge:
  

  South Texas BBQ lunch by award winning RJ’s BBQ. This will include melt in your mouth brisket, ribs, chicken and plenty of sides.  $25/person

  
  

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