North Deer Island (Texas)

North Deer Island

North Deer Island (Texas) (Texas)
Geography
Location	Galveston Bay, Hitchcock, Texas, USA
Coordinates	29°17′07″N 94°55′30″W / 29.28528°N 94.925°W / 29.28528; -94.925
Area	0.583 km2 (0.2251 sq mi)
Highest elevation	5 ft (1.5 m)
Country
United States
State	Texas
County	Galveston County
City	Hitchcock
Additional information
[1]

North Deer Island is an island and wildlife sanctuary located in Hitchcock, Texas, in western Galveston Bay, about half way between Galveston Island and Tiki Island in the U.S. state of Texas. The 144-acre (0.58 km²) natural island is one of the few natural islands remaining in West Galveston Bay.^[2] It is an important waterbird nesting site on the Upper Texas Coast and studies have shown that up to 40,000 pairs^[3] of birds nest on the island each year.

Restoration projects

In 2009, a consortum of public and private partners, including the Houston Audubon Society and the Harris & Eliza Kempner Fund, were awarded the Coastal America Partnership Award for recognition of their financial support in the creation of a breakwater to help slow erosion to the island. The partnership also helped fund restoration of wetlands that encompass the island. The award is only environmental honor of its kind given by the president of the United States. ^[4]

External links

• Texas Parks and Wildlife
• Houston Audubon Society

References

1. ^ North Deer Island on epa.gov
2. ^ "Texas Gems: North Deer Island". Texas Parks and Wildlife. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/landwater/water/conservation/txgems/northde/index.phtml. 
3. ^ "Wildlife Sancturaries". Houston Audubon Society. http://www.houstonaudubon.org/default.aspx/MenuItemID/885/MenuGroup/Sanctuaries2.htm. 
4. ^ Bronwyn Turner. "Presidential honor for Deer Island project". Galveston Daily News. http://www.galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=bff77af30947f1d6. Retrieved 2009-12-03.