Wildlife & Habitat Management

Refuge Objectives: These are the underlying management goals for the refuge.

• Provide habitat and protection for migratory birds.
• Provide protection and habitat to promote resident and migratory wildlife diversity.
• Provide protection and management for endangered and threatened plant and animal species (American wood stork).
• Provide protection and management necessary to sustain and promote colonial nesting bird populations that use the refuge.
• Provide wildlife education and interpretation and recreational opportunities to the visiting public.

Management Tools: These are the tools refuge staff use to accomplish these goals.

• Water level management for waterfowl, shorebirds, wood storks and other wading birds.
• Mowing and discing.
• Prescribed fire.
• Mechanical and chemical control of noxious plants.
• Timber cutting.
• Public hunting for deer population management.
• Education/Interpretation
• Law enforcement
• Partnerships