About Ozona Visitor Center Nature Area

In 2010, the Ozona Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center opened the Crockett County Interpretive Trail. The trail is an interpretation of plant material in its native habitat within a 100 mile radius of Ozona, and gives visitors the opportunity to view and enjoy over 200 plants representing over 75 species. It features a Rain Harvest Exhibit with signage on the process of collecting water for landscaping, livestock watering or home use. There is also a wildlife viewing area and a watering hole for birds and butterflies. The trail demonstrates the importance of xeriscaping, rainwater conservation and collection, and the use of native plants.

Project Description & History

The Ozona Chamber of Commerce has embarked on an expansion of the Ozona Visitor Center Nature Area in order to increase wildlife habitat and improve educational opportunities for the community. The Visitor Center is on the “Monarch Highway”, which runs along the central flyway of monarch migration through the United States. The Visitor Center and Nature Area provides crucial habitat for a variety of native pollinators, whose populations have experienced dramatic declines in recent years.

Native pollinators, such as butterflies, bees, bats, hummingbirds, and moths, provide a number of essential services for ecosystems and agricultural production. The Visitor Center’s Nature Area will include milkweed, bird feeders, purple martin houses, bluebird boxes, bat boxes, water, and flowers.

Community Impact

The expansion of the Ozona Visitor Center Nature Area provides 10 to 12 thousand visitors every year with the opportunity to enjoy and learn about native plants and wildlife species and conservation of important habitat and water. Plants are part of our heritage and the trail and Visitor Center Nature Area encourage the protection, preservation, and respect of their contribution to our everyday lives. As visitors explore the trail, they can identify a myriad of vital plant species using the Crockett County Interpretive Trail Brochure. 

The Ozona Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center was awarded the “Be a Star” Award from IDA Texas in recognition of their efforts to use nature-friendly lighting practices to preserve the beauty of our night skies.