REFUGES FOR MIGRATORY ACQUATIC BIRDS IN

Laguna Madre provides abundant shallow water habitats, including intertidal wetlands, seagrass beds, shallow bays, and coastal lagoons for 18.8% of the waterfowl that winter in Mexico and more than one hundred thousand shorebirds.

The project focuses on the conservation of intertidal wetlands, where most of the migratory birds concentrate and feed on benthic invertebrates.

This project will create 8.08 miles of drainage channels to transport surplus irrigation water and restore 9,884 acres of wetlands.

It will protect those 9,884 acres with a 'Federal Conservation Lands' designation and a collaboration agreement with the federal agency in charge of the area.

It will also reduce human disturbance, remove feral livestock, and post signs; implement a strategy for early detection and control of exotic plants; equip the Los Ebanos Biological Station to support applied scientific research; monitor habitat and bird populations; establish a permanent bird banding system; and train 900 agricultural producers in best agricultural practices.