About Us
The refuge supplies important feeding and resting habitat for migrating and wintering populations of waterfowl, as well as other wildlife. From October to March, thousands of geese feeding and resting in the marsh can be heard, if not actually seen. Ducks on the refuge can number up to one hundred thousand, with more than two dozen species. This includes the mottled duck, a year-round resident and recognized as an important indicator species to coastal marsh health and function. During the spring, large concentrations of migrating songbirds fly through the upper Texas coast, with peak migration occurring in April. In addition to all of the amazing birds, McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge is home to the largest concentration of American alligators in the State of Texas.
Established in 1980, the refuge was purchased under the authority of the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission. Open to the public, visitors can enjoy wildlife watching, hunting, fishing, wildlife photography, and special wildlife-related events. It is one of the more than 550 refuges that comprise the National Wildlife Refuge System, a national network of lands and waters set aside for the benefit of wildlife and you!
For hundreds of years, many of these 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.
Our Mission
The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management and, where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Our Purpose
Every national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Learn more about national wildlife refuge was created for a special purpose. Some were created to protect migratory birds, others to protect threatened or endangered species or unique habitats, while others fulfill another special purpose. Refuges are special places where wildlife comes first. All activities allowed on refuges must be evaluated to make sure each activity will not conflict with the reason the refuge was founded.