Flora & Fauna

In addition to its primary mission of fish production, the Hatchery has always served its immediate community of the Texas Hill Country as a fishing and day use outdoor recreation site on the Colorado River of central Texas. Native wildflowers and plants of Texas are protected on Hatchery grounds.

The Ashe Juniper Trail has a variety of common native plants that grow in the central Texas area. A trail guide is provided at the kiosk to help you identify native plants such as the Ashe Juniper the trail is named for along with Agarita, Prickly Pear, Mesquite, Texas Persimmon, Tasajillo, Fishhook Cactus, Live Oak, and Mustange Grape.

There is also a patio outside the Environmental Education Center with a concrete bench for visitors to enjoy the outdoors. The patio offers visitors the opportunity to view all the beautiful drought resistant plants, bushes, and trees that were donated in the year 2010 by Backbone Valley Nursery and the Highland Lakes Master Gardeners.

A native plant survey is going to be conducted every quarter starting in late 2012 and will cover the entire hatchery grounds. This will be used to gather information and species found at this facility.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with
others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and
their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

All images Credit to and Courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service unless specified otherwise.