An Eroding System

For centuries, the sandy beaches and dune system along the upper Texas coast have protected the interior wetlands and coastal prairies from salt water intrusion. Those dunes are rapidly eroding and the beach’s ridge line is exposed. This could mean a significant transformation for the refuge’s freshwater wetlands that have, for thousands of years, existed and thrived behind the protection of the dunes.

About the NWRS

National Wildlife Refuge System

The National Wildlife Refuge System, within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, manages a national network of lands and waters set aside to conserve America’s fish, wildlife, and plants.

• CAUTION ADVISORY -

  Refuge hunters and fisherman accessing Mud Bayou by boat are to use utmost caution as there are large rocks that have been found in the channel near a recent project. These displaced rocks near the mouth of the Bayou can damage motors and propellers. Efforts to repair this rock structure are being developed; in the meantime extreme caution is advised.

• A Species of Concern

  

  The mottled duck is a southern species that spends its entire life cycle in coastal prairies and adjacent marshes and is entirely dependent on the coastal habitats along the Gulf of Mexico. The Upper Texas Gulf Coast has historically been the core of mottled duck habitat in Texas. Biologists at the McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge have been studying this species for many years.

  Mottled Duck

• Managing the Marsh

  

  The staff at the McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge focuses on protecting and enhancing this coastal landscape for the benefit of native plants and wildlife. Prescribed burning and controlling exotic and invasive plants are just a few of the management priorities. Learn more about how your National Wildlife Refuge is being managed.

  Learn more