The Byron unit encompasses 1,031 acres located five miles east of Mabton and five miles south of Grandview. This unit was purchased in 1948 with emphasis on waterfowl management. The terrain is a series of depressions and rolling hills. A major drain, carrying ground water and irrigation water, runs through the area creating a series of ponds over two miles that total about 400 surface acres. The Byron Ponds, as they are called, have historically produced excellent waterfowl nesting and brooding areas. They are also important during the shorebird migration. However, a severe carp infestation has lowered the productivity as a brood rearing area. Livestock grazing was removed several years ago, which has changed the complexion of the habitat. Tule and purple loosestrife infestations have increased in recent years. The surrounding uplands are used extensively by Canada geese, which graze on green cheat grass in late winter and early spring. A series of wetlands comprises at least 40 percent of the area. The major upland habitat type is shrub steppe, but a long history of fire and grazing has resulted in severely degraded condition. Cheatgrass and Russian knapweed are the most prevalent weedy species on this site but shallow, rocky soils make it difficult to restore native vegetation. The west end of the unit is heavily hunted, with some fishing occurring in the ponds that have perennial water. The east end of the unit is made up of the Byron Reserve where hunting is excluded but bird watching has become an attraction.