Bayous weave through a seemingly endless expanse of cordgrass, reptilian eyes at the waters surface witness the ever-changing variety of waterfowl, and the call of the clapper rail reverberates through the marsh. For hundreds of years, many of the sights and sounds within this dynamic eco-system have gone untouched. Under the protective umbrella of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the hope and expectation is that they will continue for hundreds more.

McFaddin and Texas Point National Wildlife Refuges are two of the 540 refuges that comprise the National Wildlife Refuge System, a national network of lands and waters set aside for the benefit of wildlife, and you!

Burning, if done at the right time of the year, will reduce the amount of dead marshhay present and allow other species to grow. If fire is suppressed, several years of dense marsh vegetation will shade the surface, preventing other seeds from germinating or surviving. A productive burn removes vegetation that is just above ground and is usually conducted while there is still some surface water. Water acts as a barrier for the soil, preventing it from getting "cooked" while removing the vegetation. After a fire, most vegetation sprouts from the roots and the marsh is quickly covered with new growth. In addition, many other species of plants will sprout from seed as the sunlight warms the soil.

Grazing is used to increase the value of marsh and wet prairies for wintering waterfowl, nesting mottled ducks and many other wildlife species. Moderate to heavy grazing after a fire will slow the growth of marsh vegetation, which in effect allows other plants to germinate and grow. The combination of prescribed fire and grazing sets back plant succession and produces a marsh with higher plant diversity. The higher diversity of plants translates into more food items for a wider variety of wildlife species. Key food items for wildlife species are the herbaceous portion of plants, flowers, and seeds.

Another key food item for wildlife is terrestrial and aquatic insects because of their high protein content. Standing water in grazed areas will warm more quickly than in areas with heavy growth. Warmer water increases production and growth of invertebrates, including insects. Insects are an essential part of the diet of young birds in order for them to grow and develop properly, and for adult birds so they can breed successfully.

Water is managed on the refuge with water control structures, levees, and weirs. These structures are also used to prevent saltwater intrusion into the freshwater wetlands. It is the combination of water level management, grazing, and prescribed fire that provide the most optimal conditions for producing native food for wildlife and making it available to them.

Another management tool used on the refuge is the control of exotic and noxious vegetation that compete for resources vital to native species. Noxious weed species are often fast growing and have no natural predators and therefore can quickly degrade habitat, ultimately affecting wildlife species. Water hyacinth, Chinese tallow, and giant salvinia are a few of the noxious weeds that are controlled on the refuge. These management practices are essential for preserving and maintaining a diverse and healthy wetland.