Dear friend,
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As we close out the year, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed to, shared, and supported our Save Bolivar Flats campaign. Your enthusiasm has been extraordinary. Because of you, we are confident that we will secure this final piece of habitat and ensure that Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary remains protected for generations to come.
While acquiring land is a vital part of our mission, it represents just one step in the ongoing work of conservation. Houston Audubon continues to manage, restore, and safeguard these habitats so they remain thriving places for birds and meaningful places for people. Your continued support makes that possible.
December invites a moment of reflection, and what a remarkable year it has been for conservation, community, and the birds we all care about. I wish each of you a joyful holiday season and hope you find time to be with those you love. And if you’re able, I encourage you to join one of our Christmas Bird Counts; a fun tradition with real scientific impact.
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With gratitude for your support,
- Jed Aplaca, President & CEO
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| Christmas Bird Counts are happening December 14, 2025 - January 5, 2026!
Join us for the 126th annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC)! The CBC is the the longest ongoing community science project in North America and we need your help to gather data here in the Houston area.
We are looking for birders of all experience levels to help count birds for the Central Houston count (12/21) and the Buffalo Bayou count (12/28). If you feel you are a confident birder, consider being a section leader! Reach out to Schyler Brown at sbrown@houstonaudubon.org if you're interested.Â
Houston Audubon staff also participate in the Bolivar Peninsula, Galveston, Galveston West End, and Trinity River counts, but there are over 20 in the region! Check out all of the upcoming Christmas Bird Counts here »
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Houston Audubon owns and manages 17 bird sanctuaries totaling over 4,100 acres, many of which are open to the public! Our most frequented sanctuaries include the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary in west Houston and our High Island and Bolivar Flats sanctuaries on the coast.Â
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Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary
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By John LeaRussa, ELMNS Sanctuary Lead
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Greetings from the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary, where the last few days have brought some much needed rain to our otherwise very warm and dry fall. The dedicated group of community volunteers at our November Volunteer Workday day showed their grit and outlasted the showers. Their perseverance and persistence through the raindrops allowed us to complete mulching a large section of trail in the far corner of the sanctuary safely and with smiles! Our volunteers are the lifeblood of our sanctuary and I always feel honored to work with these folks. Thank you for all that you do! Volunteer with us at our next Edith Moore Volunteer Workday on Saturday, December 20.
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Please note the cabin is undergoing repairs. We will be working on the roof beginning December 12 and expect to be done in about a week. For your safety, please follow all posted signage and avoid restricted areas.
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Don’t forget to stop by our Nature Shop in the admin building between the hours of 9 AM – 3 PM from Monday–Friday to pick up some great gifts just in time for the holidays. *Special Holiday Shopping Hours: Come get your last-minute gifts on Saturday, December 20 from 10 AM to 1 PM*
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On the Coast - High Island and Bolivar Flats
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By Pete Deichmann, Land Conservation Director
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Fall migration has dwindled as cold temperatures have pushed further south. Winter foraging flocks of Yellow-rumped Warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers have been prevalent in High Island, and Snow Geese are finally arriving to surrounding areas.
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Join us for our next High Island Volunteer Workday on Saturday, December 13 to help us prepare the sanctuaries for fall visitors! We also need help at our Coastal Natives Nursery Workday on Friday, December 12 to propagate plants that will be used for restoration in our coastal sanctuaries. Get your hands dirty and learn about native gardening!
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Bolivar Flats is supporting the typical winter arrangement. Piping Plovers, Dunlins, and American White Pelicans are home for the season. American Avocet numbers are increasing with approximately 2,000 seen on the last survey. An uncommon California Gull hiding among Laughing and Herring Gulls was a pleasant surprise as well. Come to our next Bolivar Beach Ramble on Saturday, December 6 to discover the diversity of life along the Gulf Coast.
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If you haven't heard, 2026 High Island admission patches are now available for purchase! Get yours today »
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By Schyler Brown, Bird-Friendly Communities Program Manager
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You may have read that sand dunes are important barriers against surges created by hurricanes and king tides, but they are an incredibly important natural areas for birds as well. With unique and complex vegetation found in few other areas, birds can find a great diversity of food, from seeds and fruit to the insects that also feed on the plant matter. Shelter can also be found among the dense grasses and thick scrub that persists in the unique areas. The dense vegetation allows sparrows and larks to hide deep within. Additionally, the soft sand protected from wind and sun by the tall windswept hills of the dune provide perfect ground nesting habitat for birds like some plovers and terns. Houston Audubon's Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary is a great example of critical dune habitat for birds.
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Connecting with the Coast
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By Casey Smith, Coastal Community Liaison
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The Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce celebrated their 50th anniversary with a wonderful leadership luncheon. Jed Aplaca, Pete Deichmann and I were honored to attend and hear from the special guest speakers: Sheriff Fullen, Commissioner Joe Giusti, Judge Mark Henry and State Representative Terry Leo Wilson. They reported on future projects and all the great things happening on the Peninsula. Being a part of the Bolivar Chamber helps us build a stronger local economy and a thriving community from the ferry to High Island! I am so pleased to have been asked to be a member of the 2026 Bolivar Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and will be serving as secretary. Together we can all support each other and help make the Peninsula a better place to live and visit for people and our precious birds! Â
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Birds along the Texas Gulf Coast are facing unprecedented challenges, and Houston Audubon is dedicated to ensuring their survival through habitat management, education and outreach programming, research and monitoring, and advocacy. Make a donation today to ensure our Gulf Coast birds have a chance at a wilder future.
Every dollar you give directly secures the places birds need to thrive—now and for the future. Join us in making a lasting difference for wildlife and our community. Give today.
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