Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge | |
---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
|
|
Location | Chambers County, Texas, United States |
Nearest city | Anahuac, Texas |
Coordinates | 29°34′0″N 94°28′0″W / 29.56667°N 94.46667°WCoordinates: 29°34′0″N 94°28′0″W / 29.56667°N 94.46667°W |
Area | 34,000 acres or 140 km2 |
Governing body | United States Fish and Wildlife Service |
Website | Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge |
The Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is a wildlife conservation area along the coast of Texas (USA), west of the town of High Island, Texas. It borders East Bay, part of the Galveston Bay complex, behind Bolivar Peninsula at the Gulf of Mexico.
Established in 1963, this wildlife refuge is located on the upper Texas Coast in Chambers County. The refuge protects approximately 34,000 acres (140 km2) of coastal marsh and prairies. The refuge offers opportunities for fishing, waterfowl hunting, paddling, and wildlife viewing. A large network of volunteers contributes thousands of hours in support of the refuge.
In the winter, the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge hosts large concentrations of waterfowl making it a popular site for public hunting.
Other signature species are American alligator, bobcat, yellow rail, and purple gallinule.
Birdwatchers find the refuge an excellent place to observe neotropical migrants in the spring and fall. Other species sought by birdwatchers include American bittern, seaside sparrow, fulvous whistling-duck, and black rail.
Volunteers have been working to compile a butterfly list for the refuge. Over sixty species have been identified, including the extremely localized bay skipper (Euphyes bayensis).
Recent projects to enhance and restore the habitat at the refuge include control of invasive species like Chinese Tallow, prairie restoration, creation of moist soil areas, and a colonial waterbird rookery.