Neches River National Wildlife Refuge

The Neches River National Wildlife Refuge was created in June 2006, and confirmed by a 2010 federal ruling against the City of Dallas that defeated the City’s bid to reserve the site for water resource development. Major support for the Refuge came from community organizing by the Friends of the Neches River (headed by Michael Banks and Mary Decker), advocacy by the Texas Conservation Alliance, land purchases by The Conservation Fund, and diligent lobbying by a number of individuals, including Richard Donovan (featured in the attached interview audio excerpts), whose canoe trips on the River helped highlight the value of saving the Neches. The Refuge has grown to over 10,000 acres, and provides exceptional wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities for hikers, hunters, anglers and families.