Dear friend,
There’s something special about walking through the woods and hearing the clear, unfamiliar notes of a bird you can’t quite identify. In that moment, the rush of daily life fades away, replaced by curiosity and peace. A wonderful reminder of why protecting nature matters so much. Spring is a perfect time to seek out those moments in one of our sanctuaries.
As the Houston region continues to grow, the pressure on bird habitat increases. That’s why I’m especially excited to share in the announcement of our newest sanctuary, Peach Creek Woods, an important tract of forest in Montgomery County. While it won’t open to the public until next year, protecting this special place now ensures that vital habitat remains intact for birds and other wildlife in the decades to come.
Habitat protection is essential, not just for the birds, but for the people who find renewal and connection in these natural spaces. Through strong partnerships and the support of our community, we can continue safeguarding the places that make moments of wonder possible.
I encourage you to find time this month to get outside, slow down, and listen.
- Jed Aplaca, President & CEO
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Introducing Houston Audubon's 18th Nature Sanctuary!
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Peach Creek Woods Nature Sanctuary is 128 acres of beautiful mixed pine and hardwood forest in Montgomery County, protecting a vital portion of the San Jacinto River watershed. This sanctuary is a gift from the late Thomas Lee Maddux, a "paragon of dedication to Texas nature". As our region continues to grow, permanent protection of these habitats is more critical than ever. With this acquisition, Houston Audubon now manages 4,307 acres across the Upper Texas Coast.
We plan to open the sanctuary to the public in early 2027 after performing essential improvements to ensure the land is ready for safe and sustainable public access. Read the press release »
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Houston Audubon protects over 4,300 acres of critical habitat for nearly 400 bird species. We invite you to explore these vital ecosystems and connect with nature firsthand. Here are a few highlights from our most popular public sanctuaries.
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Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary
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By John LeaRussa, ELMNS Sanctuary Lead
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Spring is in the air here at Edith L. Moore! The trees and plants are beginning to show their colors, and while our winter birds still frequent the feeders, early migrants like hummingbirds and Purple Martins have already been spotted in the sanctuary. It's a great time for a stroll through the grounds.
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| Laura Singleton Exceptional Volunteer: Ridley Smith
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In addition to migrating birds and blooming plants, springtime offers us another opportunity to celebrate. Every year, the Laura Singleton Exceptional Volunteer Award is presented at our annual Volunteer Picnic to one person who embodies the spirit of volunteerism through their efforts and advocacy for Houston Audubon. Our recipient this year was Ridley Smith, who stood out among an exceptional group of volunteers. Ridley continues to be a constant presence in both our Trail Crew and Natives Nursery, always ready to lend a helping hand on special projects. He can always be counted on to represent Houston Audubon in various community events and workdays, and his ties to other conservation organizations has truly benefitted our sanctuary and programs here at Edith L. Moore. Beyond his contributions, he is an absolute joy to work with, making him a deserving recipient for this award!
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On the Coast - High Island and Bolivar Flats
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By Wyatt Egelhoff, Sanctuary Manager
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February and March represent the busiest time of year for coastal staff as we race to cross off the final items on our spring preparedness checklist. We appreciate our dedicated volunteers that support us with these preparations. The birds (and birders) have already begun to arrive.
Join us for our last High Island workday of the season on March 14th. This is traditionally when we complete most of our trail trimming, drip maintenance, and final projects in anticipation of spring visitors. We appreciate all the help we can get.
At the Smith Oaks Rookery, Neotropic Cormorants are in the process of nest-building as Great Egrets enter the throes of courtship. By the end of March, Smith Oaks will become a cacophony of breeding colonial waterbirds. Barn Swallows, White-eyed Vireos, and Fulvous Whistling-Ducks have begun migrating through High Island, and the Purple Martins are again a daily reminder that spring is here.
We're looking forward to opening the admissions kiosks at Smith Oaks (March 7th) and Boy Scout Woods (March 27th). Both day passes and annual patches will be available for purchase on-site and our friendly staff and volunteers will be available to answer questions. We're looking for additional volunteers to support daily operations at our sanctuaries throughout the spring season - check out volunteer opportunities here.
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Bird Brained? Think again…
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By Schyler Brown, Bird-Friendly Communities Program Manager
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Typically, when we call somebody bird brained, we refer to the idea that birds are dull, unintelligent creatures. However, this is a false idea, and many would be surprised to learn that birds have some incredible cognitive abilities. Like many animals, including humans, birds are capable of understanding language concepts, solving complex puzzles, and crafting tools to accomplish tasks. In ongoing work from the University of Washington, researchers found that American Crows are even able to recognize faces, a valuable trait used to communicate when an enemy is nearby. The Striated Caracara offers another compelling example of bird intelligence through its curiosity-driven problem-solving abilities. When these birds encounter unfamiliar food sources, such as a trash can, they investigate collaboratively, working together to understand the object's function and access the food inside. This curiosity not only helps them discover new food sources but also enables them to solve complex problems quickly. So, next time you call someone bird brained, consider that you may be offering a compliment!
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By Christine Wehrli, Community Outreach Programs Manager
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Houston Audubon is excited to partner with the Dulles High School SciNOW program for the first time this year. SciNOW’s mission is to develop a lifelong interest in science in elementary students and to prepare them for science experiences in higher grades. They currently serve 12 Fort Bend ISD elementary campuses.
Through SciNOW, we are bringing our bird expertise into elementary school classrooms to talk about characteristics of birds, their varying habitats, and how their beaks have adapted to their respective environments and diets. With a hands-on activity, the kids use tools that represent different bird beaks (e.g. eyedroppers for hummingbirds and tweezers for warblers). Students have been learning new vocabulary about bird anatomy and habitats, such as adaptation and wetlands. To date, this presentation has been brought into nine different schools in Fort Bend County.
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