Neches River Refuge hosting free family fun day May 4
Apr. 23—The Friends of the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge and the US Fish and Wildlife Service invite the public to join them for a free family fun day Saturday, May 4, at the Neches River Refuge. The Friends of the Refuge will host activities for all ages from 9:00 a.m. until noon. The Refuge is located on Hwy. 79 between Palestine and Jacksonville.
"There'll be lots of fun things to do," said Dr. Michael Banks, president of the Friends group. "You can ride through the refuge on a tractor-trailer, take a guided hike to the river, plant a native pollinator garden, or learn about photographing birds. An activity popular with the kids is seining "swamp critters," aquatic organisms, in the wetland areas. Bring a lunch and stay all day!"
The Neches River National Wildlife Refuge encompasses more than 10,000 acres. It was established to protect wintering, nesting, and migratory habitat for migratory birds of the central Flyway, and to ensure protection of the bottomland hardwoods for their diverse biological value.
The Refuge entrance on Hwy 79 is just east of the Neches River, 11 miles west of Jacksonville and 15 miles east of Palestine.
For more information, contact the Friends of the Neches River Refuge by calling 903-372-1987 or sending email to mdbanksdds@gmail.com.
