Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, TX – Volunteer Vacation 2024

Enjoy this birder’s paradise while contributing to trail accessibility at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge! With 2,088-acres of lakes, wetlands and subtropical thorny forest, this wildlife refuge is home to over 400 species of birds and over 300 butterfly species.

The Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge is a sanctuary for unique animals such as ocelots, Mexican free-tailed bats and Texas tortoises, but maintains its reputation as a prime birding center. Strategically located where subtropical climate, gulf coast, great plains and Chihuahuan desert meet, enjoy an exclusive look into the natural world of wildlife with 12 miles of foot trails and a 7-mile tour road.

The volunteer trail crew’s scope of work includes the demolition of an existing dilapidated wooden bridge at Willow Trail at the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge. Volunteers will build a new bridge after the removal of the previous bridge that will allow visitors to cross an irrigation ditch. Volunteers will hike approximately one mile on a flat, cleared trail from their campsite. Elevation in Alamo, Texas is approximately 95 feet. Volunteer gear will be transported to base camp by stock support or vehicle. Materials and equipment will be transported by an all-terrain vehicle from the main wareyard.

During this trip, Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge’s average high temperature is 69° and average low temperature is 47°.

There is no experience needed to join a Volunteer Vacation! Your expert hosts will provide detailed instruction, tool demonstrations, and project oversight throughout the week. All you need is a willing attitude and to be in good physical condition to participate in moderate physical activity for approximately 6-8 hours a day with plenty of breaks, at your own pace. Find out more about what it’s like to join a Volunteer Vacation and other frequently asked questions here.

AHS acknowledges with gratitude that this project takes place on the traditional lands of the Coahuiltecan, Ndé Kónitsąąíí Gokíyaa, Esto’k Gna, and Rayados peoples past and present. We honor the land itself, the Indigenous communities who have stewarded this land for generations, their deep and sacred connection to these lands, and those who continue to steward these lands today. We offer this land acknowledgement as the first of many steps to stand as an ally and amplify Indigenous voices. We invite the American Hiking Society community to join us through continued efforts to support Indigenous communities and learn more about the history of the lands on which we live, work and recreate.

Click here for a PDF of trip details.