Passport to Texas

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Wildlife Restoration Program

You may think a marsh area is the same as any other waterlogged piece of land, but Goose Island State Park interpreter Mike Mullenwig, begs to differ.

In this case, a marsh is a wetland that is distinguished by the vegetation that is growing in it, which would be low grasses and shrubs. If you have a wetland that has tall wooded plants, that would be considered a swamp.

Development is often to blame for loss of marshland, but not at Goose Island. Wind and waves from the gulf have eroded significant portion of the land.

At Goose Island over the past 25 years, almost close to 35 years, we have lost roughly 25 acres of marshland due to erosion. So, the marsh walk that I do talks about what Texas Parks and Wildlife is doing to restore the wetlands here around Goose Island.

Attend a Marsh Walk at Goose Island with interpreter Mullenwig, and learn about this fascinating ecological resource.

The plants that we look at on our marsh walk include the front line grass, and that’s the smooth Court Grass. As far as the animals living out there, probably the most noticeable that you will see are of course the Brown Pelican and Great Blue Herons.

The Marsh Walk is Saturday, August 4th from 10 to 11 AM at Goose Island in Rockport. The program is free with park entrance fee.

That’s our show for today…with research and writing help from Loren Seeger…The Wildlife Restoration Program supports our series…and provides funding for wetland conservation through the Private Lands Enhancement Program.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

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August 4, 2007 — Goose Island SP — Marsh Walk
— Come join our park interpreter as he leads a walk along the shell ridge and high marsh of the western portion of Goose Island. Learn about the flora and fauna that make this area their home and learn what the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is doing to protect and preserve this endangered ecosystem. Bring your binoculars, drinking water, insect repellent, sun screen and some shoes you won’t mind getting muddy. 10-11 a.m. (361) 729-2858.

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