The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation has recognized the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory (GCBO) for providing financial assistance in the purchase of two Columbia Bottomland forest tracts in Brazoria County, Texas.

The 100-acre Bird Pond and the 1,093-acre Joe Hudson hardwood tracts were acquired and are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and are considered important additions to the Austin Woods Unit of the San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge.

In a small ceremony held at the Observatory's 36-acre bird sanctuary in Lake Jackson, Tom Smith of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Mike Lange of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service presented the Observatory with a wildlife print of Wood Ducks on a plaque.

Outside the GCBO Headquarters, Tom Smith (National Fish and Wildlife Foundation) presents a plaque to Cecilia Riley (GCBO Executive Director) in recognition of the GCBO's contributions towards the protection of Columbia Bottomlands. Left to Right: Ian Hartzler (former GCBO staff member), Cecila Riley (GCBO), Tom Smith (NFWF), Diane Schenke (TNC).

Cecilia Riley, Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, in turn, thanked Smith and Lange.

"It is we who thank you for pursuing this dream...to save our dwindling Brazoria County hardwood forest for birds and other wildlife, as well as for the benefit of generations of Texans to come," she said.