Watering Wildlands: Irrigation and drainage have reduced the amount of water flowing into the Refuge. Water is trapped in ponds, resacas (old oxbows of the Rio Grande), and the Refuge's namesake lake, Laguna Atascosa, to hold fresh water between rains. Many birds are particular about the depths they feed in, so levels are adjusted throughout the year to benefit both ducks and wading birds.

Growing Tomorrow's Thorn Forest: The Refuge has planted several old farm fields in native brush for ocelot and other brushland wildlife. It may take 20 to 40 years to grow dense brush similar to untouched stands.

Firing Up: While working to re-establish brushland where it belongs, the Refuge also maintains grasslands for those species that depend on them. Occasional prescribed burns increase the nutritional content of the grass and reduce invading brush.

USFWS Wildland firefighters conduct a prescribed burn. Photo by USFWS.

Farming for Wildlife: The Refuge farms approximately 400 acres of milo, wheat, and peas, leaving the entire crop for wintering geese and sandhill cranes. Annual grasses between plantings provide food and shelter for small birds and mammals, which are food for larger mammals and hawks. The Refuge farms without pesticides or herbicides.