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The San Antonio Bay Foundation (SABF) has awarded $31,000.00 to the Friends Water for Wildlife Fund! The funds will be used to help ensure that whooping cranes and other wildlife have fresh drinking water on Matagorda Island.

Funds were made available to the San Antonio Bay Foundation pursuant to a settlement agreement with the Texas General Land Office and Kirby Inland Marine. These funds are Supplemental Environmental Project funds which resulted from the oil spill in the Houston ship channel on March 23, 2014 and made landfall on Matagorda Island.

Although we've had more rain than usual this winter and spring, it is crucial to provide reliable fresh water sources when drier conditions return. The San Antonio Bay Foundation recognizes this need. They have now provided funding for Water for Wildlife totaling $41,000.00. We are extremely grateful for their contribution and support.

Shown below: Dan Alonso, San Antonio Bay Foundation Executive Director; Gene Corville, San Antonio Bay Foundation Board of Directors; Fred Lanoue, President, Friends of Aransas; and Bret Beasley, Biologist, Aransas National Wildlife Refuge.

In the spring of 2013, a reward fund was established to be paid out upon arrest & conviction of the person(s) responsible for vandalism to a rookery island in San Antonio Bay.  The fund was never used, and has now been donated to our Whooping Crane Fund. This fund is used for projects that directly benefit the cranes. Thank you to Penny Hong, Sally Mitchell, Patrick Rios, Kevin Sims and Tommy Moore for helping us help the Whooping Cranes!

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and Matagorda Bay Chapter of Serve Outdoors co-sponsored the Drew McGinnes Memorial Hunt April 24-26. Friends of Aransas supplied breakfast Saturday & Sunday, with Refuge staff helping to cook Saturday. We were also able to contribute two $50 Academy gift cards for a "thank you" drawing. Giving these veterans with disabilities a recreational opportunity and getting rid of some hogs at the same time is win-win!! We were honored to be a part of it.

Friends of Aransas Board Members Linda Swiggett & Irma Schreiner represented our group and Aransas National Wildlife Refuge at the World of Water in Corpus Christi  April 25th.

Staff and volunteers have been busy with several projects the last few months, and have gotten a lot done, in spite of the cold & rainy weather. Earlier we posted about the new tower boardwalk, & new platform at the end of Big Tree Trail. Now we have two more completed projects.

There is a wonderful new platform at the Alligator Viewing Area. This one is great because it's raised, so that you look down on Thomas Slough & the area the alligators like to lie in. You can get really nice views, while remaining perfectly safe. You can also see among the cattails, to better search for birds. It's wheelchair accessible, too.!  

The other platform is on Heron Flats Trail, after the trail curves back towards the woods. This viewing platform had to be closed, and was greatly missed by many. It offers a view of the "far end" of Heron Flats that can't be had anywhere else. The platform has now been rebuilt and conforms to current codes.

Most of our seasonal residential volunteers have left now, and the others will be leaving soon. They have made a tremendous difference, though, and their work will be enjoyed by refuge visitors for many seasons to come! 

At the last Rockport City Council meeting, Mayor C. J. Wax presented Friends President Fred Lanoue with a check for $735.00. This year we partnered with the city in their annual Whooping Crane Strut. A portion of each entry fee was designated for Water for Wildlife. Although we've had good rains the past few months, dry tomes will definitely come again. The check has been deposited in our Water for Wildlife Fund, to help the refuge supply reliable fresh water sources for Whooping Cranes and other wildlife.

Thank you to the City of Rockport, Tom Staley & the Parks Department, and everyone that participated. 

National Geographic has chosen Aransas as one of 6 stand-out National Wildlife Refuges! Read about it here!

Even though the weather was cold, the Rockport Whooping Crane Strut was lots of fun.  The refuge mascot was there, along with her handler, Visitor Services Manager Laura Bonneau. Our favorite big bird started the race, greeted runners & walkers at the finish line, and helped hand out prizes. Friends of Aransas representatives were there to talk with people about Friends and the refuge. A portion of the registration fees will be donated to our Water for Wildlife Fund. We appreciate everyone that participated, and especially the Rockport Parks Department for letting us partner with them in this fun event.

To see more photos visit our Facebook Page. You don't have to register for Facebook to see our page.

US Fish & Wildlife Service Retirees held their 2015 reunion in Corpus Christi, and visited the refuge March 3rd. For many, it was their first visit here. Even though retired, they are still committed to supporting National Wildlife Refuges and their Friends organizations.  

USA Today 10Best has announced the nominees for Best National Wildlife Refuge, and Aransas is on it. There are some great refuges on the list, but we all know how special Aransas is. The contest runs through March 30th, at 11:59 a.m. You can vote every day until then. You can vote here.