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Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and Ducks Unlimited (DU) hosted a project dedication earlier this week to celebrate the completion of two wetland enhancement projects at Richland Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Multiple corporate and foundation partners supported the Wildcat Marsh and North Unit Expansion projects through the Texas Water Action Collaborative (TxWAC). Led by Texan by Nature, TxWAC matches funders to projects that benefit natural resources in Texas.

Located within the Trinity River floodplain, the Richland Creek WMA was created to compensate for habitat losses associated with the construction of the Richland-Chambers Reservoir. The WMA sits on the southeast side of the reservoir, about an hour and a half south of Dallas. Aligned with Richland Creek WMA’s mission to develop and manage populations of native and migratory wildlife species and their habitats, the latest projects enhanced wetlands for waterfowl and other wildlife and improved water quality and quantity within the Trinity River Basin.

“TPWD is proud of our long-standing relationship with Ducks Unlimited that has resulted in thousands of acres of wetland construction and bottomland hardwood conservation along the middle Trinity River,” said Matt Symmank, Richland Creek WMA Area Manager. “This newest wetland expansion on Richland Creek WMA is particularly exciting because we are not only working with DU as our traditional conservation ally but also Texan by Nature and corporate partners that share our conservation vision for the Trinity River. These wetlands provide both the habitat and clean water we need for both wildlife and people along one of our State’s most important rivers while providing recreational opportunities for all Texans to enjoy.”

Working with the TPWD and with support from the Texas Water Action Collaborative partners, DU installed new water-control infrastructure to enhance the Wildcat Marsh area's water-holding capacity. The new 111-acre Wildcat Marsh will enhance migrating and wintering waterfowl habitat while also improving water quality in the Trinity River Basin. This wetland impoundment will filter and replenish nearly 54 million gallons of water each year before it flows into the Trinity River. Similarly, the North Unit Expansion project developed 238 additional wetland acres on the WMA and will supply over 232 million gallons of volumetric water benefits annually while providing habitat for wetland-dependent wildlife.

 “These projects will impact millions of Texans as they augment wetlands that improve wildlife habitat and related outdoor recreation opportunities, enhance water quality, and stabilize the water availability in the Trinity River Basin,” said DU Chief Conservation Officer Karen Waldrop. “DU and TPWD have been working here since 1987, and we are incredibly proud to continue enhancements on this WMA with support from so many new partners.”

Funding partners for the two projects include Microsoft, PepsiCo, Bonneville Environmental Foundation, Meta, Keurig Dr Pepper, Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, The Coca-Cola Company, the Litman Foundation, and the Amon G. Carter Foundation.

 “The ecosystem benefits of this $2 million investment extend beyond wildlife—they’re good for the local community and business,” said Taylor Keys, Director of Programs at Texan by Nature. “TxWAC is proud to continue connecting funders to impactful projects like Richland Creek WMA, driving lasting benefits for Texas’s natural resources and prosperity.”