San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge

Established in 1968, the San Bernard Refuge is located in the "central flyway," one of four major migratory routes over the continental U.S., providing a haven for millions of migratory ducks, geese, and neo-tropical songbirds. The refuge is also home to scores of coastal live oak trees and many other wildlife species. Located an hour from downtown Houston, the refuge is also a haven for urban residents and visitors, providing numerous opportunities for public recreation, including birdwatching, fishing and hiking. Since 1999, The Trust for Public Land has protected more than 7,000 acres for the wildlife refuge. In June 2012, we helped conserve an additional 498 acres of bottomland hardwood forest near West Columbia on the Gulf Coast.