Our passion for conservation means we're dedicated to saving land—no matter how complex the project. That's why, over the past few years, the Fund has helped expand the San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge by more than 5,000 acres.

The San Bernard refuge is located just south of Houston and is one of three refuges that make up the Texas Mid-Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex, a beautiful, natural area that supports wildlife, outdoor recreation and the local economy.

A Haven For Birds

Texas' Gulf Coast, home to the San Bernard refuge, is one of the “birdiest” spots in the world, and wildlife watching in this region brought in $2.9 billion for the state in 2006. San Bernard and the larger Mid-Coast refuge complex include a vital area of coastal wetlands harboring more than 300 bird species. It's the end point of the Central Flyway for waterfowl in winter and an entry point for neotropical migratory songbirds tired from a 600-mile Gulf crossing from Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. 

Saving A Vanishing Ecosystem

The low-lying forests at San Bernard not only are loved by birds, but also help clean the water on its way to the Gulf of Mexico, improving conditions for aquatic life and the multimillion-dollar seafood industry. With Texas drought conditions the worst in years, managing water resources for wildlife and people is more important than ever.

Over the years we've completed projects that have added between 50 acres to hundreds of acres to the San Bernard refuge, but our most recent project expanded the refuge by nearly 4,500 acres. In 2011, we purchased this large tract, known as Osceola Plantation, and helped gather funding so that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service could then acquire it. The land officially became part of the refuge in February 2012.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service considered the tract a high priority because it was part of the Austin’s Woods/Columbia Bottomlands Conservation Plan — an effort to conserve 70,000 acres of bottomland hardwood forests and other associated habitats vital for approximately 29 million migrant birds. Its unique and diverse habitat features one of the largest natural lakes in the coastal region as well as coastal prairie, river bottom forests, freshwater wetland and open water. This kind of habitat is a magnet for migratory land birds, wintering sparrows, shorebirds and waterfowl, including the Mottled Duck, a species in sharp decline.

It also permanently protects a diverse freshwater wetland and the Brazos River floodplain forest surrounding Eagle Nest Lake for wildlife, public recreation and education. It's a particularly great place for recreational fishing and hunting opportunities for visitors and educational activities for children.

Conservation Success Through Partnerships

Our work to expand San Bernard is a great example of how, as an organization, we're able to find solutions to difficult conservation challenges. In order to add the nearly 4,500 acres to the refuge, myriad funding sources needed to be brought together.  We were able to make this project possible with funding from our revolving fund, the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, the Fish and Wildlife Service’s North American Wetlands Conservation Act, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Houston Endowment Inc. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service designated funds for a  conservation easement through its Wetlands Reserve Program and in 2009, the U.S. Congress approved funding for the purchase of the 2012 property through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. A North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant and $3 million from the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission’s Federal Duck Stamp program also were approved for this conservation effort.

One of our core values is working with partners to help fulfill their conservation priorities.  The expansion of San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge is a great success story for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as for the people and wildlife of Texas.

Photos: Tim Cooper

Often referred to as Texas' last "wild" river, the Neches flows 416 miles through east Texas into Sabine Lake on the Gulf Coast, forming a natural boundary between many counties including Van Zandt and Smith, Houston and Angelina, Angelina and Trinity, Angelina and Polk, Angelina and Tyler. Tyler is the largest city in the Nechese River basin; other cities include Beaumont, Lufkin and Nacogdoches.

Our work along the Neches River includes land protection as well as establishing recreational opportunities so the river can be enjoyed as an outdoor destination.

Boggy Slough

In 2011, we worked with Temple-Inland to permanently preserved 4,458 acres of vital bottomland hardwood forests along an 16.8 mile stretch of the Neches River known as Boggy Slough. For decades Boggy Slough has been managed as a wildlife and forest management research and demonstration area. The tract provides ideal habitat for white-tailed deer and eastern turkey as well as numerous ducks, songbirds and fish. A conservation easement donated by Temple-Inland assures the perpetual stewardship of the exceptional wildlife habitat within the river bottom west of Lufkin, between State Highways 7 and 94.

"Temple-Inland has an impressive 110-year history of managing their lands for conservation values and outcomes. The protection of Boggy Slough further demonstrates their commitment to long-term conservation in east Texas—an area that is one of the Fund's top priorities nationwide,” said Andy Jones, Texas director for the Fund.

Davy Crockett Paddling Trail

In 2010, we joined with several organizations to christen the Davy Crockett Paddling Trail, the newest Texas Paddling Trail. This 9.2-mile trail makes a perfect half-day paddle. Paddlers along the Neches might see deer, alligators, otters and many bird species such as Barred Owl, Belted King Fisher, Wood Ducks and more.

The Trail will help make the region a sought-after destination for outdoor adventure. "The development of the Davy Crockett Paddling Trail sprung from a community-wide demand for greater access to the Neches River and from a desire to diversify the county’s economic base through nature tourism, as identified in the Angelina County Green Infrastructure Plan," commented Julie Shackelford of the Fund’s East Texas office.

Shelly Plante, nature tourism coordinator for The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, adds, "The trails help promote habitat conservation through sustainable economic development, while providing additional recreational opportunities to the public. More Americans canoe, kayak or raft than play soccer, making it one of the fastest-growing nature tourism experiences."

For more information about the Neches-Davy Crockett paddling trail, click here.

Neches River Information Source: Texas State Historical Association.

Photo courtesy Jay Brittain / Temple-Inland

Renowned as the "biological crossroads of North America," Big Thicket in southeast Texas is packed with an impressive variety of wildlife and plant species. The dense wilderness of the Big Thicket region consists of important river corridors, productive wetlands, tall forests, open plains, pine savannas and dry sandhills. Enjoy this photo gallery of landscapes and sights found in the preserve.

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  Big Thicket
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  Birds at Big Thicket
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  Trail Through Big Thicket
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  Trees at Big Thicket
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  Dwarf Sundew, A Carnivorous Plant
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  Dwarf Sundew Plant
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  Pitcher Plant