SCR 30 designates Matagorda County as the official Birding Capital of Texas. Situated along the Texas Gulf Coast, Matagorda County provides a wide array of critical habitats—shorelines, marshes, inland terrains, bays, and rivers—that support hundreds of bird species. The resolution details the diversity of bird life the county attracts, including ospreys, pelicans, hawks, hummingbirds, loons, and many migratory species such as flycatchers and orioles.
The resolution highlights Matagorda County's long-standing and distinguished participation in the Audubon Christmas Bird Count since 1993, noting its first-place ranking for bird species diversity north of the U.S.-Mexico border in the 2023–2024 count with 225 recorded species, including rare sightings like the surf scoter and blue grosbeak.
In addition to its natural bird habitats, the county boasts multiple protected areas such as the Big Boggy National Wildlife Refuge, Mad Island Wildlife Management Area, and others, totaling over 26,000 acres. Public venues like the Matagorda County Birding Nature Center and the Matagorda Bay Nature Park further support conservation and eco-tourism. The county also hosts the annual Matagorda Bay Birdfest, celebrating its avian biodiversity.
The designation will remain in effect for 10 years from the date the legislature passes the resolution, per Section 391.003(e) of the Texas Government Code.