Archive for the 'Southwest Region' Category

Mar 01, 2010

Celebrating the New Neches River NWR

The Lufkin Daily News just ran an editorial by Richard Donovan — the president of the Friends of the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas — regarding the recent decision by the Supreme Court to not hear challenges to the creation of the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge in Texas.

While Texas Forest Country is [...]

Feb 22, 2010

US Supreme Court Allows Neches River NWR to Proceed

News-Journal.com is reporting that the U.S. Supreme Court threw out a lawsuit that the City of Dallas and Texas Water Development Board had filed to block the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge in Anderson and Cherokee counties.

“This means that the lawsuit will not continue further and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service can proceed [...]

Jan 27, 2010

Officials Worry About Whooping Crane Die-Off

The Houston Chronicle reports that wildlife officials are worried that a lack of blue crabs may cause another die-off of endangered whooping cranes:

The world’s last remaining natural flock of endangered whooping cranes, which suffered a record number of deaths last year, will probably see another die-off because of scarce food supplies at its Texas nesting [...]

Jan 03, 2010

Anahuac NWR is Coming Back from Hurricane Ike

The Houston Chronicle ran a local resident’s story about a recent trip to Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, which is recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Ike. The resident birder made a New Year’s trip to the refuge, located in southeast Texas, and found it much improved from her last trip

In recent years, my family has [...]

Jan 03, 2010

Refuge Volunteers Improve Caddo Lake NWR

The Marshall News Messenger ran a story on the impact of volunteers at the recently opened Caddo Lake NWR in eastern Texas. In addition, the article highlights a very popular aspect of volunteering at refuges, whereby the refuge provides volunteers with free campsite facilities in exchange for service at the refuge.

Eddie and Nancy Ray will [...]

Oct 23, 2009

Conservation Fund Donates Almost 31 Acres To Neches River NWR

TylerPaper.com in Texas reports that the non-profit Conservation Fund has donated 30.28 acres for the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge, which is in east Texas.
As this blog has reported, the creation of the Neches River NWR may be held up by the Supreme Court, but for now the refuge has started adding to its land [...]

Oct 14, 2009

Houston Audubon Honors Neches River Supporters

KTRE in Texas reports that Houston Audubon recently honored a group of supporters who have helped to protect Neches River and fight for the creation of the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge. Among those honored were former U.S. Congressman Charlie Wilson, Ellen and Buddy Temple, Texas Conservation Alliance, and The Conservation Fund.
According to KTRE:

Ellen and [...]

Oct 07, 2009

Supreme Court May Interfere in Neches River NWR Creation

The Tyler Morning Telegraph is reporting that the U.S. Supreme Court has ordered the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to respond to petitions from the city of Dallas and the Texas Water Development Board regarding a ruling earlier this year in support of the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge in Texas.
As this blog reported on [...]

Sep 28, 2009

Caddo Lake NWR Officially Opens

As this blog reported in July, Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge in east Texas was scheduled to have its official opening on September 26, and reports say the opening was a big success with an estimated attendance of 1000.
According to the Marshall News Messenger:

The spirit and enthusiasm that a distinguished lineup of speakers dedicated to [...]

Sep 21, 2009

Video Monday: Cibola NWR in Arizona

In honor of the upcoming fall bird migration that will be witnessed at many wildlife refuges around the country, our featured video today includes beautiful migration scenes (featuring Canada geese, snow geese, and sandhill cranes) from Arizona’s Cibola National Wildlife Refuge, which is located in the floodplain of the lower Colorado River and surrounded by [...]

Jul 27, 2009

Video Monday: The Border Wall’s Impact on Wildlife

In past blog entries (April 1, 2009 and June 29, 2008), Refuge Watch has reported on the impact of the border wall that is being built along the Unites States-Mexico border, with special emphasis on its impact at Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Texas.
In the video below, Krista Schlyer — who is [...]

Jul 19, 2009

Caddo Lake NWR Set to Open September 26

The Marshall News Messenger is reporting that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says the new Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge in east Texas will officially open to the public during ceremonies on September 26.
In October 2007, this blog reported the details on how Caddo Lake NWR came about as a land transfer between the [...]