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.