The lower one-third of Matagorda Island is managed as the Matagorda Unit of the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. This federally controlled portion of the island is managed primarily for migratory birds and endangered species. There are 19 state or feerally listed endangered or threatened species on or adjacent to the island at some time during the year, including whooping cranes, peregrine falcons, brown pelicans, piping plowers, sea turtles, bald eagles and horned lizards. More than 300 species of birds have been sighted for the island. Giezentanner said prescribed burns maximize the diversity of grasses and forbs with minimum disturbance of the land with manmade equipment.
Fire is a natural component of the island ecosystem.
We'll use fire on a limited basis to create a bunch of small, scattered burns all over the island on a yearly, rotating basis. Now that the cattle have been removed, each agency is waiting for a new memorandum of agreement and a Matagorda Island Comprehensive Management Plan to be signed. It will unify the island's management. We're real anxious to get it signed. It awaits signature by Lujan and Governor Ann Richards.