New Wildlife Refuge in Texas
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has established the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge in Anderson and Cherokee counties, in eastern Texas.
It will cover 25,281 acres along 38 miles of the Neches River. The refuge will protect native wildlife species that rely on the ecologically rich bottomland hardwood forests and wetlands. This type of habitat is vital and extremely productive for a wide variety bird species such as mallards, dabbling and wood ducks. Bottomland hardwoods habitat is also one of the most important wintering areas in the central flyway, or migratory route.
The refuge is being obtained parcel-by-parcel, as funds are available. There is tremendous support for the refuge from the local community. Approval of refuge boundaries allows landowners to discuss the sale of their property for fair market value.
The Migratory Bird Conservation Funds (obtained from the sale of Federal Duck Stamps) are a primary source for refuge land acquisitions that benefit migratory birds. Additional species that will be protected within the approved project area are bobcat, river otter, and multiple species of fish, reptiles and amphibians; including the threatened American alligator.