Waterfowl among first beneficiaries of oil spill criminal settlement
HOUSTON – Nov. 15, 2013 – The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) recently announced five projects to restore and enhance habitats for species impacted by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Disaster, including the Gulf Coast Migratory Waterfowl Enhancement Project. Funded through the NFWF-administered Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund, these are the first restoration projects in Texas resulting from the RESTORE Act.
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Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Increases State Grant Contribution
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department increased its state grant allocation from $75,000 to $250,000 in 2013. This commitment brings Texas's cumulative contribution to $3 million for habitat conservation work on the Canadian breeding grounds.
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Ducks Unlimited offers breakwater prioritization web application
Ducks Unlimited is pleased to announce the availability of its Breakwater Prioritization Report and Web Mapping Application. The leader in wetlands conservation has developed a decision-support tool to prioritize shoreline protection needs along the Texas mid-coast portion of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) and encourages conservation partners and coastal landowners to utilize the newly available science to most efficiently direct wetlands restoration and protection efforts along the Gulf Coast.
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Ducks Unlimited improving habitat at Brazos Bend State Park
HOUSTON – July 23, 2013 – Ducks Unlimited recently completed the first phase of a wetlands restoration project at Brazos Bend State Park. Managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), the park provides Houston-area residents outdoor recreation opportunities including fishing, wildlife watching, camping and hiking.
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DU Receives Grant for Coastal Work in Texas
Ducks Unlimited recently received a grant of more than $1.4 million from the Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP) for a breakwater project at the J.D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area in Port Arthur, Texas.
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Coastal Conservation Association Supports DU Projects
The Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) recently contributed $200,000 to a DU project that will help conserve important coastal wetlands in Matagorda County, Texas.
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LCRA move to increase water storage capacity is good for rice, ducks
AUSTIN, Texas – Jan. 16, 2013 – Ducks Unlimited strongly supports the Lower Colorado River Authority's (LCRA) decision to move forward on the development of an off-channel reservoir to provide water in the lower basin for rice farming and wetlands management. DU represents the interests of waterfowl, other wetland-dependent wildlife and waterfowl hunters with respect to Texas water issues.
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Houston Chapter Makes History
Ducks Unlimited's 75th Anniversary will be remembered by many as the year the single-event fundraising record was broken... four times!
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Texas Dedicates Legacy Greenwing Project
A group of DU Legacy Greenwings and their families gathered last July on Mad Island Wildlife Management Area (WMA) near Matagorda to dedicate Texas's third Legacy Greenwing project.
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Ducks Unlimited supports off-channel reservoir development to benefit Texas coast wetlands, waterfowl and rice
AUSTIN, Texas - Nov. 9, 2012 - Ducks Unlimited fully supports the Lower Colorado River Authority's (LCRA) move to develop off-channel reservoirs to provide much-needed water resources for Texas mid-coast rice agriculture and wetland management.
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Ducks Unlimited elevates Texas water involvement
Conservation leader lends voice to water requirements of wetlands, wildlife
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Texas: Dedication to celebrate improvements at Mad Island WMA
MATAGORDA, Texas - July 9, 2012 - Ducks Unlimited and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) partners will celebrate several wetland enhancement projects on Mad Island Wildlife Management Area (WMA) by dedicating the third Legacy Greenwing project in the state near Matagorda on July 21. The dedication will begin at 10 a.m. and is open to the public.
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Texas Wildlife Management Area Enhanced
Two DU projects are nearing completion on Mad Island Wildlife Management Area (WMA) near Bay City, Texas.
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New Breakwaters Will Conserve Texas Coastal Marshes
Ducks Unlimited is building breakwaters on the San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and J.D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area (WMA) to protect Texas coastal marsh habitats.
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Historic Partnership Formed to Protect the Guadalupe River System
Conservation organizations operating in and around the Guadalupe River Basin of Texas recently formed a historic partnership to conserve wetlands and wildlife in the Guadalupe River system.
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Texas: Prairie Wetlands Project
Ducks Unlimited, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service partnered to create the Texas Prairie Wetlands Project (TPWP). For more information, contact Matt Kaminski at (832) 595-0663 or mkaminski@ducks.org.
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Policy News 3-4
Texas DU staff focusing policy concerns on water availability
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Dredge Material Helps Restore 1,300-Acre Marsh
Owned and managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), J.D. Murphree WMA consists of 24,250 acres of fresh, intermediate, and brackish marsh within the prairie-marsh zone along the upper coast of Texas. These wetlands are part of the Chenier Plain, the westernmost delta of the Mississippi River, which extends from Vermillion Bay, Louisiana, to Galveston Bay, Texas. The Salt Bayou Marsh watershed, which is entirely west of Sabine Lake, provides important stopover and staging habitat for many Central Flyway waterfowl that migrate and winter on the Texas Gulf coast.
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DU Texas conservation efforts welcome southbound waterfowl
Texas, part of the Central Flyway, provides important winter habitat for waterfowl that are produced in the U.S. and Canadian prairies.
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Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR
USFWS wished to restore the historic wetland function of the site, and increase habitat values for a host of wintering, migrant, and resident wildlife species with an emphasis on priority species such as migratory birds and sensitive species.
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McFaddin NWR - Wild Cow Bayou
Over the past 50 years, the Texas Gulf Coast has experienced significant wetland loss due to encroaching development pressures, changes in local agricultural practices, degraded hydrology, and increased salt-water intrusion. The Wild Cow Bayou Project is part of Ducks Unlimited’s and our partners’ long-term commitment to protect, restore, and enhance vital wetland habitat along the Texas Gulf Coast.
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McFaddin NWR Willow Slough
The purpose of this project was to enhance management capabilities and improve the overall value of Willow Slough to waterfowl. Partners installed a spillway and a water control structure that enables managers to regulate water levels. The enhanced ability to regulate water levels facilitates control of undesirable vegetation and encourages growth of wetland plants that are beneficial to waterfowl and other wildlife.
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San Bernard NWR Marsh Restoration
Restoration work done by Ducks Unlimited in Texas' San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge
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Texas Conservation Projects
Ducks Unlimited habitat conservation projects in Texas. These projects benefit waterfowl, other wildlife and people. View sample projects, project map and more.
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J.D. Murphree WMA - Compartment 12 Enhancement
To enhance wetland management capabilities by replacing the current water control structure in Compartment 12 with a new structure along the southern boundary of the wetland unit. Replacing this structure will enable better control of water levels within the compartment, thus enhancing the managers’ ability to maintain fresh to intermediate marsh for the benefit of waterfowl and waterbirds.
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Peach Point WMA
This page lists conservation projects in the Peach Point WMA.
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Peach Point WMA - Redfish Bayou Impoundment
To restore 260 acres of freshwater wetlands on Peach Point WMA through construction of levees and installation of several water control structures. Enhancements associated with this project include: construction of 3,000 feet of earthen levee, installation of 48 inch water control structures, construction of 180 feet of reinforced concrete emergency spillway, and 1 mile of canal excavation to provide water management capabilities.
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Peach Point WMA - Relift Pump Project
This project involves installation of a relift pump and construction of a water distribution system to flood three impoundments on Peach Point WMA with freshwater. Installation of a relift pump will provide a means of managing water depths and vegetative composition.
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Peach Point WMA - Stringfellow Wetland Projects
To restore 599 acres of freshwater and moist-soil wetlands on Peach Point WMA through construction of levees and installation of several water control structures. On the North Stringfellow Tract, enhancements associated with this project include: 1 mile of levee construction to capture water flow from a drainage swale to create approximately 305 acres of freshwater marsh habitat.
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Mad Island WMA
This page lists conservation projects on the Mad Island WMA.
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Mad Island WMA - Savage Marsh Moist-Soil Units
To restore 340 acres of moist-soil habitat on Mad Island WMA through construction of levees and installation of several aluminum water control structures. Shallow freshwater sites are very scarce on the WMA, thus the creation of moist-soil units in strategic places will increase the diversity of wetland vegetation and wetland dependent wildlife using the property.
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Mad Island WMA - Rattlesnake Island Bayou
To construct a rock weir along Rattlesnake Island Bayou, thus enhancing 600 acres of brackish marsh and submerged aquatics on Mad Island WMA. This project will involve backfilling Rattlesnake Island Bayou with oyster shells to mean high tide levels. Reduction of tidal energy will aid in restoration of the original brackish/intermediate marsh plant communities that once existed in the area.
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Mad Island WMA - Brant Lake and Big Muddy Lake
This project will involve the aerial application of herbicides (Rodeo) to noxious stands of cattail within and around the perimeter of both Brant Lake and Big Muddy Lake on Mad Island WMA. Approximately 350 acres of cattail vegetation will be sprayed with herbicides to control further encroachment and help re-establish productive freshwater submerged plant communities.
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Mad Island WMA - Crab Lake Rock Weirs
To construct two rock weirs in tidal canals on Mad Island WMA, thus enhancing 382 acres of brackish marsh and submerged aquatics. By backfilling the tidal canals with rock, the amount of tidal energy and saltwater intrusion into managed areas will be reduced.
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Guadalupe Delta Wildlife Management Area
This page lists conservation projects in the Guadalupe Wildlife Management Area.
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Hynes Bay and Buffalo Marsh Complex
Hynes Bay - This project will create 2 impoundments consisting of intermediate to brackish marsh habitats on Guadalupe Delta WMA. An old roadway will be converted into a levee for both impoundments and several water control structures will be installed.
Buffalo Marsh Complex - This project will create 4 sub-impoundments consisting of freshwater marsh habitats totaling 250 acres. The existing system has adequate capabilities to flood or drain the wetlands, but it is not efficient.
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Alligator Slide Lake Marsh Terracing
To install marsh terraces on Alligator Slide Lake to reduce wave action and promote establishment of emergent and submergent vegetation. With reduced wind fetch and water turbidity, quality waterfowl foods such as pondweeds and other aquatics can establish and thrive. In addition, the marsh terraces will be vegetated to enhance available food resources and nesting habitat. The Guadalupe Delta Wildlife Management Area is open to public waterfowl hunting.
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Guadalupe Delta WMA - Hog Bayou Moist-Soil Units
This project involves establishment of 8 moist-soil units west of Hog Bayou in the Mission Lake Unit of Guadalupe Delta WMA. Size of each unit will range from 5 - 50 acres and involve construction of levees and installation of water control structures. Inundation of the moist-soil units will be accomplished through normal rainfall and/or pumping freshwater from Hog Bayou.
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World Birding Center – Estero Llano Grande State Park Wetland Restoration
To restore and create shallow emergent wetlands in the Lower Rio Grande Valley for migratory and wintering ducks, nesting whistling ducks, and an array of shorebirds, wading birds, and songbirds. This project installed levees, water control structures, and an irrigation system for management of water levels.
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Taylor Lakes WMA - Cattail Lake Restoration
To restore Cattail Lake by returning it to its historic open water condition. A soil survey indicates that approximately 18 inches of sediment has been deposited on the lake bottom, thereby resulting in cattail encroachment and loss of wetland habitat. The surrounding uplands have been converted to native grass habitat, effectively preventing future erosion and silt deposition.
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Buffalo Lake NWR - Moist-Soil Complex
To restore 40 acres of moist-soil habitat on Buffalo Lake NWR through construction of internal levees and installation of several water control structures. The project area has a dependable source of water, a well is in place and water rights have been obtained. This project will create five waterfowl impoundments that enhance management capabilities adjacent to Buffalo Lake.
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Gene Howe WMA - Seep Ponds
This project involves the enhancement of two existing seep ponds (22 acres of moist-soil habitat) on Gene Howe WMA. Excavation activities associated with this project will consist of removal and installation of an existing water control structure.
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Playa Lakes WMA - Dimmitt Playa
To restore 420 acres of wildlife habitat on the Dimmitt Playa through moist-soil enhancement and tame grass restoration. Conservation partners will provide two wells, pumps, and water distribution system.
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North Toledo Bend WMA - Wetland Enhancement
To facilitate water management on 500 acres, regardless of Toledo Bend Reservoir water levels. This was accomplished through installation of a large water control structure and improved levee. The area provides excellent waterfowl habitat in the form of moist-soil plants, submerged aquatic vegetation, flooded timber, and cypress swamps.
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Alazan Bayou WMA
This page lists conservation projects in the Alazan Bayou WMA.
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Alazan Bayou WMA - Bottomland Hardwoods
To acquire 1,973 acres of bottomland hardwood habitat, thus establishing Alazan Bayou WMA. This project will protect one of the largest remaining tracts of bottomland forests along the Angelina River floodplain. The site itself is best described as a wetland complex consisting of riverine habitats, oxbow lakes, and several other bottomland community types that provide suitable waterfowl habitat.
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Alazan Bayou WMA - Moist-Soil Management Area
To restore 325 acres of moist-soil habitat on Alazan Bayou WMA through construction of levees, installation of water control structures and a water distribution system. The land was formerly bottomland hardwood habitat that was converted to agriculture.
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Old Sabine Bottom WMA - Bottomland Hardwoods
To acquire 4,937 acres of bottomland hardwood habitat, thus establishing Old Sabine Bottom WMA. This project will protect one of the largest remaining tracts of bottomland forests in the Sabine River floodplain. The site itself is best described as a wetland complex consisting of riverine habitats, oxbow lakes, and several other bottomland community types that provide suitable waterfowl habitat.
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Gus Engeling WMA - Wetlands Restoration
To restore 141 acres of green-tree reservoir and moist-soil habitat on Gus Engeling WMA. This project included construction of levees and installation of water control structures to create three waterfowl impoundments on the management area.
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Keechi Creek WMA - Wetlands Restoration
To enhance 50 acres of green-tree reservoir habitat on Keechi Creek WMA through construction of levees and installation of water control structures. The bottomland hardwood forests and associated wetlands provide life support requisites for a wide variety of resident and migratory wildlife in East Texas. Water-level manipulation through green-tree reservoirs will improve the availability of fallen mast (primarily acorns) to wintering mallards and wood ducks.
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Richland Creek WMA - Tarrant Co. Water Quality
The Tarrant County Water Management District (TCWMD) supplies about 60% of the drinking water for the Dallas/Fort Worth area. An assessment of future water needs determined that the TCWMD would exceed present water supply by approximately 50% over the next 50 years.
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Big Lake Bottom WMA - Bottomland Hardwoods
To acquire 1,093 acres of bottomland hardwood habitat adjoining Big Lake Bottom WMA. The acquisition sites are part of the largest contiguous block of bottomland hardwoods remaining on the upper reaches of the Trinity River, an area that has been largely cleared for agriculture.
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Texas DU Conservation Staff Directory
Texas Ducks Unlimited conservation staff directory - regional biologists, directors, engineers, technicians, etc.
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