Labelle II | Conservation Mitigation Easement

Located in Jefferson County of Texas

The LaBelle II Mitigation Project secures the long-term conservation of a large expanse of Gulf Coastal Prairie wetlands through permanent protection and strategic placement within an already conserved landscape. The site is protected in perpetuity by a conservation easement and is immediately adjacent to an existing Ducks Unlimited conservation easement, creating a contiguous block of protected wetlands that significantly expands the footprint of conserved coastal habitat in Jefferson County, Texas. 

This adjacency to Ducks Unlimited–protected lands strengthens the ecological value of the project by extending wetland connectivity along the northern edge of the McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge, one of the most significant freshwater marsh systems remaining on the Texas coast. Together, these protected lands function as a unified landscape that supports waterfowl, migratory birds, and other wetland-dependent species while enhancing regional flood storage and water quality.

The project permanently protects and enhances palustrine emergent coastal prairie wetlands that have been historically altered by rice cultivation, ditching, and livestock use. Restoration activities focus on restoring natural hydrology, increasing surface water retention, reestablishing native prairie wetland vegetation, and eliminating ongoing agricultural stressors. These improvements are designed to be self-sustaining and resilient, reinforcing natural wetland processes rather than relying on ongoing structural intervention.

Permanent protection under a conservation easement ensures that the restored wetlands remain free from development and incompatible land uses, while long-term stewardship and enforcement provisions provide accountability beyond the regulatory monitoring period. The proximity to Ducks Unlimited conservation lands amplifies the project’s conservation impact, transforming the site from a standalone mitigation area into a critical component of a larger, protected wetland corridor.

By anchoring mitigation within an existing network of conserved lands, the LaBelle II Mitigation Project delivers enduring ecological value, landscape-scale habitat connectivity, and long-term protection of coastal prairie wetlands that will continue to function and provide benefits for generations to come.

The easement covers 216 acres and was put in place in 2025. Unique Places to Save is the conservation easement grantee, which is the role that carries the stewardship and enforcement responsibility this project depends on.

Mitigation Partner