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Description:
Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established in 1963 to protect important wintering and migration stopover habitat for migratory birds, including large numbers of waterfowl from the Central and Mississippi Flyways. The Refuge is located on the upper Texas Coast, along the eastern portion of Galveston Bay in a region known as the Chenier Plain of Texas and southwest Louisiana. Cheniers are sandy ridges which represent ancient beaches formed by the rising and falling of sea level thousands of years ago. The Refuge lies in a coastal plain built by sediments delivered to the Gulf of Mexico by the Mississippi River, far to the east, and by local river systems including the Trinity, San Jacinto, Sabine and Neches. The Texas Chenier Plain's subtropical climate greatly influences plant and animal communities found in the coastal wetlands, prairies and woodlands which comprise Anahuac NWR. On average, the Refuge receives over 50 inches of rain annually. Occasionally, tropical storms and hurricanes and their associated tidal surges impact the area. These storms, the occurrence of lightning-caused wildfires, and herbivory by geese and muskrats comprise a natural disturbance regime which profoundly influences this dynamic and complex estuarine ecosystem. A continuum of coastal wetland types, which exists along a salinity gradient, is protected on the Refuge. This continuum includes fresh and intermediate marshes located inland of the more tidally-influenced brackish and saline marshes along East Galveston Bay. These habitats support an astounding diversity of plant and animal life. Over 270 species of migratory birds, including waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds and a variety of marsh and water birds inhabit the Refuge. Endangered in the 1960's, Amercican alligators now thrive in its wetlands. Finally, the Refuge's tidally-influenced marshes provide nursery habitat for many important marine species, including white and brown shrimp, blue crab, flounder and spotted sea trout. Directions:
From Houston, take Interstate 10 East to Exit 813, Anahuac and Highway 61. From exit ramp, take right onto Highway 61 (southbound). Continue straight across first 4-way intersection onto FM 562 southbound. Follow FM 562 southbound to intersection with FM 1985 (Y intersection at which you must turn right or left). Take left onto FM 1985 eastbound, continue 2.5 miles, see Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge sign and access road. Take right on access road (gravel), continue southbound 3 miles to refuge entrance and visitor contact station.
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