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  • Tuesday, May 07, 2024 10:27 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


    A press release from the US Fish and Wildlife Service on April 16, 2024, announced the release of two land protection plans that will allow for the conservation of up to 150,000 acres of coastal habitat in Texas. The plans outline new limited acquisition boundaries for the Aransas NWR and Big Boggy NWR (Matagorda County) and focus on conserving essential habitat for endangered species (whooping crane, black rail, Attwater’s prairie chicken) as well as mottled ducks and other various wintering waterfowl.

    "The approval of these plans is a significant step forward in conserving habitat for the benefit of wildlife and people on the Texas Gulf Coast," said Amy Lueders, the Service's Southwest Regional Director. "These plans prioritize areas that are important for the recovery of endangered whooping cranes and other imperiled wildlife species, with the added benefit of safeguarding natural spaces that benefit communities by providing protection from floods and storms as well as opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing and ecotourism."

    Read the full press release here.


  • Friday, November 10, 2023 10:56 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The Friends of Aransas NWR recently paid for the repair and installation of these new banners on the billboards alongside Highway 35. Admire the designs created by Laura Bonneau, Visitor Services Manager at the refuge - but please drive safely!



  • Tuesday, March 09, 2021 9:47 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Look through the gallery of photos showing the building of the new Visitor Center Our New Building

  • Sunday, August 30, 2020 2:59 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The exciting news of the summer of 2020 is that groundwork has started for the new Visitor Center, to replace the old building that sustained hurricane damage in August 2017. The road to the old parking area has been blocked off, with a temporary road made to the restrooms across from the Visitor Contact Station (which remains closed due to COVID-19).  At the last FAMI Board meeting (via Zoom) Refuge Manager Joe Saenz and Visitor Services Manager Laura Bonneau shared some information on the plans for the new Visitor Center. The building will be home for the administrative offices, and the public area will include a check-in and information desk, an exhibit and interpretive area, a meeting room and the FAMI Nature Store and office.

    The road to the parking area will continue behind the new building and rejoin the main refuge road a short distance beyond the Alligator Viewing Area. There are plans for more trails around the new center, including a path from the building down to the existing platform for viewing alligators in Tomas Slough.

    Expect to see some changes when you next visit the Refuge!


  • Sunday, April 26, 2020 10:05 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    During the current public health emergency, whenever possible, outdoor recreation sites at national wildlife refuges will remain open to the public.

    The Secretary of the Interior, David Bernhardt has directed national wildlife refuges to temporarily suspend the collection of entrance fees until further notice.

    Read the news release here

    At the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge the Visitor Contact Station is closed, as is the FAMI Nature Store, part of the effort to promote social isolation and prevent spread of the virus. Visitors are encouraged to follow CDC guidelines and keep a safe distance between yourself and others.

  • Monday, March 16, 2020 10:59 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Read an account from Wade Harrell, U.S. Whooping Crane Recovery Coordinator, of the annual crane abundance survey done this year.

    Read update here

  • Sunday, June 09, 2019 3:02 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Demolition of the Visitor Center is underway at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. The Claude F. Lard Visitor Center, built in 1980, took on extensive damage from Hurricane Harvey in August 2017. So farewell to an old friend, while looking forward to the replacement building.


  • Thursday, February 07, 2019 10:37 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Weather permitting, survey flights were started in the first week of February to get an overall estimate of the wintering whooping crane population.

    Follow this link for the latest update from Dr Wade Harrell, US Whooping Crane Recovery Coordinator (link to FWS website).

  • Tuesday, January 29, 2019 10:48 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    With the end to the government shutdown, the Aransas NWR has resumed full operations as of Monday, January 28, 2019.

    Thank you for your continuing support. (And let's hope the government stays open...)

  • Thursday, August 23, 2018 3:49 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Great news! The estimate for whooping cranes in the Aransas-Wood Buffalo population for the winter of 2017-18 is 505 birds. This estimate included at least 49 juveniles and 183 adult pairs. See the full report here.

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