FWNatureCenter&WildlifeRefuge

The Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge (FWNC&R) is one of the largest urban wilderness areas in the United States, providing a protected space for conservation, education, and outdoor recreation. Initially acquired by the City of Fort Worth in 1914 to safeguard Lake Worth’s water quality, the land was officially designated as a wildlife sanctuary and nature preserve in 1964 through the efforts of local conservation advocates, including the Fort Worth Audubon Society.

Today, FWNC&R encompasses over 3,700 diverse acres of forests, prairies, and wetlands, as well as multiple historic and prehistoric archeological sites, and offers more than 21 miles of hiking trails. The Refuge is also home to more than 3,000 species of plants and animals. In 1980, it was designated a National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior. Altogether, this collection of resources in one location makes it a critically important educational, cultural, and ecological asset for the state of Texas.