East Texas Wetlands Project

In April 2001, Ducks Unlimited, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service forged a partnership and initiated the East Texas Wetlands Project (ETWP). The ETWP targets a 46-county area in northeastern Texas referred to as the West Gulf Coastal Plain. The purpose of the ETWP is to provide landowner assistance and incentives to restore, enhance, and manage wetlands and associated uplands, a purpose integral to DUs Mission.

In recent years, East Texans have had limited access to funds that could be utilized for projects to improve wetland habitat on their land. With the implementation of the ETWP, East Texas landowners have increased opportunities for technical guidance and cost-share support for improvement of migratory bird habitat. During the first three years of the ETWP, technical assistance was provided to over 200 landowners in the 46-county focus area. Forty projects (approximately 2,500 acres of wetland and bottomland hardwood habitat) have been restored or enhanced to date. Another 15 projects are currently in the planning phase that improve habitat on an additional 1,000 acres.

Before Construction             After Construction

For years, a small handful of wetland professionals in East Texas struggled to meet the ever-growing demand from owners and managers of wetlands. Until recently, limited resources and cost-share programs hindered habitat conservation efforts on private lands. The ETWP now offers landowners the expertise and a cost-effective means for habitat conservation on their land. Initial interest in the program by private landowners with potential wetland restoration opportunities suggests a long and successful future for this program.

For more information on this program, contact:

Keith McKnight
Regional Biologist
1620 FM 2218
Richmond, TX 77469
(832) 595-0663
kmcknight@ducks.org

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Texas Habitat Projects

Gulf Coastal Prairies Public Lands Projects J.D. Murphree WMA Peach Point WMA Mad Island WMA Guadalupe Delta WMA Estero Llano Grande State Park Private Lands Program Texas Prairie Wetlands Project Southern Great Plains Public Lands Projects Taylor Lakes WMA Buffalo Lake NWR Gene Howe WMA Playa Lakes WMA

West Gulf Coastal Plain Public Lands Projects North Toledo Bend WMA Alazan Bayou WMA Old Sabine Bottom WMA Gus Engeling WMA Keechi Creek WMA Richland Creek WMA Big Lake Bottom WMA Private Lands Program East Texas Wetlands Project Texas WRP 1990-2000 Band Recovery Map Large   XLarge