Big Boggy National Wildlife Refuge

The National Wildlife Refuge System is a series of lands and waters owned and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Wildlife conservation is at the heart of the refuge system. It drives everything we do from the purpose a refuge is established, to the recreational activities offered there, to the resource management tools we use.  

Fire Management 

Historically, wildfire was an integral part of the coastal prairie ecosystem. Fires from lightning strikes would sweep across the landscape maintaining the grasslands and keeping trees and brush from becoming established. Today, federal wildland firefighters work closely with refuge biologists to mimic what used to occur naturally through controlled, or prescribed burning. Controlled burns help maintain the coastal and inland prairie, upper saltmarsh and freshwater wetlands by removing dead grasses and woody vegetation.  The fire recycles nutrients back into the soil and encourage the growth of native plants that are adapted to fire. Controlled burning removes potentially hazardous ‘fuels’, that left unburned, will accumulate and ultimately burn hotter and be much more destructive to the habitat and dangerous for our adjoining communities. 
 
The refuge conducts prescribed burns on a rotational basis, burning approximately every four to five years or more often if the habitat will benefit from increased fire. Fire staff monitors weather and fuel conditions to ensure the burns achieve the best results for the habitat with minimal impact to the refuge’s human neighbors. They work closely with other partners and communities to protect people and property while maintaining the refuge’s healthy and productive ecosystems. The Texas Mid-Coast National Wildlife Refuge Fire Program is dedicated to protecting life, property and natural resources. 

Wetland Restoration and Management 

Because of the significant loss of wetlands, one of the refuge’s top priorities is providing freshwater wetlands among the coastal environments. To do this, the Big Boggy National Wildlife Refuge has constructed shallow wetlands utilizing levees and water control structures to hold or flush water from the units. Different strategies are implemented according to the time of year and types of birds using the refuge. Rainfall is the principal source of water for the impoundments. 
 
It is necessary to ensure water levels are maintained to promote food production. This requires the right amount of sunlight and water depth to support abundant and diverse populations of invertebrates and submergent and emergent native plants. Invertebrates, including insects, are an important protein source for waterfowl and shorebirds. Seeds and plant parts (leaves, roots, and tubers) provide energy and essential nutrients for wintering waterfowl. Often, mechanical, burning and chemical manipulation are required to promote native vegetation and set-back succession to increase productivity. 

Invasive Species Management 

Natural habitats are increasingly invaded by non-native or invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

Learn more about invasive species . The refuge tries to combat this invasion by restoring or mimicking historical processes when possible. If this option isn’t available, we must resort to mechanical or chemical techniques to control these invasive species. 
 
A few of the more problematic invasive plants that the refuge deals with are Chinese tallow, deep-rooted sedge in prairie habitats and saltcedar in freshwater wetlands. 

Invasive animals can also be an issue and displace natives or compete with them for resources. Feral hogs are omnivorous, consuming eggs as well as young wildlife and. They also degrade natural habitats by rooting for acorns, pecans and grubs, creating soil beds for invasive plants.