Category: Armand Bayou Nature Center

For World Photography Day, we have a very special photo to share! We were recently presented with this breathtaking image by the Flight Operations Directorate at NASA Johnson Space Center. Taken from the International Space Station during Expedition 67 by NASA Astronaut Kjell Lindgren on September 30, 2022, this photo captures Armand Bayou Nature Center from a truly unique perspective.
Looking at our mission from this vantage point, you can see exactly what we are preserving and why it’s so critical. This gift is a beautiful symbol of our shared mission as “stewards of Spaceship Earth,” and we are deeply grateful for this amazing token of appreciation. Thank you, Flight Operations Directorate, for sharing your world with ours!

Armand Bayou Nature Center

Our weekly EcoTots Bilingual Program returns Wednesday, August 20th. ✨Come see us this week to learn about Bayou Buddies – Amigos del Bayou. For children 18 months – 4 years, with an accompanying adult. 18 meses a 4 años con un adulto acompañante. 👉 Learn more and register today: abnc.org/ecoprograms-bilingues
Photo by Gary Seloff

Armand Bayou Nature Center

We had a fantastic turnout for our volunteer meeting! A huge thank you to everyone who joined us. 👋 Our Volunteer Coordinator, Brooke, and Conservation Director, Chloe, shared tons of great information about upcoming conservation efforts and events. With 4,000 acres to manage, we need all the help we can get! To make a difference to the environment and your community check out exciting volunteer opportunities: https://www.abnc.org/volunteer 💚

Armand Bayou Nature Center

🌿 Armand Bayou Nature Center is hiring a Stewardship Technician! 🌱 This is a great opportunity for recent graduates or emerging professionals passionate about conservation, sustainability, habitat restoration, and ecology. In this role, you’ll gain hands-on experience protecting and restoring one of the largest urban wilderness preserves in the U.S., and the largest in Texas, making a direct impact on the health of our planet. Apply now 👉 https://www.abnc.org/jobs
#NowHiring #ConservationJobs #SustainabilityCareers #EnvironmentalJobs #CareerGrowth

Armand Bayou Nature Center

 🌞 Summer EcoCamps were a blast, and it wouldn’t have been possible without our incredible staff, volunteers, and volunteens, a huge thank you to everyone who made it unforgettable. 🙌
As camp winds down, we’re preparing for our Kids EcoPrograms starting in just two weeks! 🐾 Your tots to teens can dive into nature with us, exploring everything from pond life and river otters to snakes, hummingbirds, and much more. 🐍🦦🌸 Keep the adventure going! Sign up today: https://www.abnc.org/eco-programs

Armand Bayou Nature Center

 🌿 Meet Ford, one of our most dedicated and inspiring volunteers! Whether he’s leading evening hikes, teaching kids at camp, or sharing his incredible skills in plant weaving and rope making, Ford brings heart, knowledge, and positivity to everything he does 💚
As a Texas Master Naturalist, he mentors new volunteers, supports our mission in and out of the classroom, and even bikes to his shifts—often picking up litter along the way! A former Volunteer of the Year, Ford’s passion for nature and community shines through every day. We’re so thankful to have him as part of the ABNC family!

Armand Bayou Nature Center

This is a siege of juvenile great blue herons and you know somewhere there are a couple sets of parents taking a much needed break! The Great Blue Heron is a master angler and is the largest North American heron, standing up to a whopping 54 inches tall with a wingspan of up to 79 inches. But here’s the kicker: they only weigh about 5 to 6 pounds! That’s lighter than a gallon of milk! Their secret? Hollow bones, just like most birds, making them incredibly light for their impressive size. Nature’s engineering at its finest! Photo courtesy of Gary Seloff.

Armand Bayou Nature Center

Meet the spiny softshell turtle, a true master of disguise and speed! 🐢💨 Here are a few things that make them so unique:
This leathery, sandpaper-shelled speed demon can rocket through the water at 15 mph! On land, they slow down to a more leisurely 3 mph.
Talk about unique breathing! They can breathe through their skin, throat, and yes—even their butt! 😮 This allows them to stay underwater for up to 5 hours. 🌊
Masters of camouflage, they bury themselves in the mud, with only their snout showing, to ambush unsuspecting prey. 🕵️‍♂️🤫
Females can get huge—up to 21 inches and 25 lbs—while the males stay much smaller. Some can live over 50 years! 📏👵
Keep an eye out for them all over the U.S. and into Mexico! You might spot one basking on a log or mudflat, soaking up the sun. ☀️😎
Photos By Stacy Holcomb

Armand Bayou Nature Center

Inspiring the next generation of wildlife enthusiasts! Our EcoCampers had a memorable day observing Hana, our ambassador skunk, with the expert guidance of Zoologist Chris. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn about these fascinating creatures firsthand! We have a few exciting single EcoCamp days ahead in early August so sign up soon! Upcoming topics include fantastic fossils, fantasy animals and nature art!🧑‍🔬💚https://www.abnc.org/ecocamps

Armand Bayou Nature Center

Morning Drama at ABNC! 🤩 Talk about reality TV, but real life! 🐊 A small female gator’s got her eyes on two male alligators sizing each other up in the distance. The egrets and great blue herons are taking it all in. Then there’s terns taking turns skimming on the water to either feed or drink, usually they dive as well to catch minnows but there is so much life in the water today with all sorts of movement. What a scene! Media by Stacy Holcomb

Armand Bayou Nature Center

Remember making mud pies as a kid? Turns out those skills come in handy! Our EcoCampers learned to turn mud, water, and native prairie seeds into awesome seedballs with Jim Duron! It was so much fun watching them throw their seedballs into the prairie, and talk about a fantastic way to do conservation work! Fun fact! Seedballs mimic bison dung which helped with seed dispersal. 

Armand Bayou Nature Center

Bayous are vibrant ecosystems and true cradles of life, their natural connections enabling species dispersal and bolstering the diversity of living things. The sheer density and variety of life, from microscopic phytoplankton to the mighty alligator, make them one of the most productive ecosystems globally. This intricate web teaches us that our interconnectedness as humans is vital for understanding and fulfilling our shared responsibility to safeguard these irreplaceable natural treasures. When one part of this precious system is impacted by pollution, habitat loss, or climate change, the effects ripple throughout, underscoring the critical need for protection. #Conservation #wildlife #nature #environment #sustainability
Photo: Roseate Spoonbill eating a Gulf Killifish in Armand Bayou and Horsepen Bayou, courtesy of Gary Seloff.
Dive deeper: https://www.abnc.org/nature-blog/living-water

Armand Bayou Nature Center

Experience the tranquility of Armand Bayou! 🛶🌅 Our early bird kayak tours, early morning pontoon cruises, and sunset cruises offer the perfect way to paddle or glide along peaceful waters. Don’t let summer end without your bayou adventure! ✨

Armand Bayou Nature Center

What a week at EcoCamp! From the excitement of reeling in their first fish to the serenity of watercolor painting with a prairie view, our campers are truly connecting with nature in unique ways. So proud of these young adventurers and thankful to our volunteers and EcoCamp staff! 🦋🐝 These camps focus on outdoor fun, hands-on exploration, and education about the natural world. Register for next week summer EcoCamp classes here: https://www.abnc.org/ecocamps 

Armand Bayou Nature Center

Don’t let the name rattlesnake master scare you! 🐍🌿 This incredible native prairie plant (Eryngium yuccifolium) got its unique name from a historical belief that its roots could treat rattlesnake bites – not an actual antidote, but the name stuck! What is true about this plant are it its superpowers: a super deep taproot for drought resistance, flood mitigation, soil health, and carbon sequestration. Its roots are superheroes against erosion, and it naturally fends off pests! Bonus: it’s a pollinator paradise 🦋🐝 and adds a unique, architectural look to any garden, no matter the size or style! Go native and watch your garden thrive! This wonderful macro photo was taken by Jake Smith.🌎💚 

Armand Bayou Nature Center

Big news, bird lovers! 🐦✨ Our viewing bird blind has been rebuilt, a year after Hurricane Beryl damaged it! We’re incredibly grateful to McCoy’s Building Supply for their generous lumber donation, which made this possible. And a massive shout-out to our amazing Gem crew volunteers for their hard work, dedication, and expertise, we couldn’t have done it without you! Check out these before and after photos to see the amazing transformation. Get ready to enjoy an even better bird-watching experience!

Armand Bayou Nature Center

I Spotted a magnificent female Giant Walking Stick at the 1890s farmhouse! Males are smaller, but these incredible creatures are North America’s largest insect, with females growing up to 7 inches long! They’re masters of disguise, blending perfectly with trees.
Fascinating fact: A female Giant Walking Stick can reproduce without a male through parthenogenesis, creating female clones! And for those bug-squeamish folks, rest easy: they’re super mellow, don’t bite, and are totally silent. They can even drop a leg if threatened and GROW IT BACK! 😉
You’ll often find them munching on the leaves of oak, mesquite, hackberry, grape, and green briar trees. Keep your eyes peeled!

Armand Bayou Nature Center

Calling all eco-champs! 🌿 Monday was a blast with our ecocampers! Huge thanks to our amazing teen volunteers who helped tiny hands get creative with crafts and then tackled the (sometimes messy!) but always fun clean-up after fish printing. You guys rock! 🐟🎨

Armand Bayou Nature Center

What an afternoon! 🐦 Our Audubon bird count wrapped up with over 32 species spotted (even on a “slow” day, we had tons of purple martins at Mays Pond! 💜). Our volunteer orientation, led by our amazing new volunteer coordinator, was also a success. If you missed it, no worries! You can still sign up on our website for future volunteer opportunities.✨https://www.abnc.org/volunteer Photos by Stacy Holcomb

Armand Bayou Nature Center

ABNC Summer EcoCamps have been an absolute blast! Kids have been making incredible nature discoveries and having outdoor adventures. 🌳✨ We still have 4 weeks of camps left for your little explorers! PLUS, don’t miss out: Registration is also officially open for our Fall EcoPrograms! Keep the nature connection going.
Registration required 👉 https://www.abnc.org/reconnect-with-nature

Armand Bayou Nature Center

Don’t just walk by! Our Rotary Pond is teeming with life, but sometimes you have to slow down to see it. 🌿 Take a moment to quietly listen and observe, particularly in the calm of the morning. You might just catch a glimpse of a sleeping alligator, a graceful green heron, or turtles just peeking out of the water. What will you discover? Photos by Stacy Holcomb✨

Armand Bayou Nature Center

🐟 Summer EcoCamp Day Camp and Weekly Camp is in full swing at ABNC! Today we had some fun by the water—caught a few fish, and even celebrated a camper’s very first catch! 🎉
Upcoming camp themes include Down by the Farm, Amazing Owls, Down by the Bayou, Prairie Rangers & Radical Reptiles —you won’t want to miss these nature adventures! Register: abnc.org/ecocamps🌿🦉

Armand Bayou Nature Center

Peek-a-boo! Ever met a plant that plays shy? That’s the sensitive briar (or Mimosa nuttallii) for you! Just a gentle touch, and its leaves fold up like it’s saying, “Whoa there, personal space!” It’s like the ninja of the plant world, disappearing right before your eyes. So cool! There are many names for this plant. What do you call them? Photo by Stacy Holcomb

Armand Bayou Nature Center

Thank you to Celanese Corporation for their incredible effort in clearing the bison’s fence! Your dedication helps us keep our bison safe and secure, and we truly appreciate your commitment to our community and wildlife.👏🐃

Armand Bayou Nature Center

Don’t miss out! This is the last week for our unique Summer EcoTots (toddlers learn about mockingbirds & bayou buddies) and EcoTeens (teenagers go on a bayou safari) programs!
Good news! Our popular Summer EcoCamps for ages 4-13 will continue all through June and July, providing even more opportunities for nature exploration and adventure!
Find your perfect summer program: https://www.abnc.org/reconnect-with-nature

Armand Bayou Nature Center

We have kayak tours and pontoon tours still available for this weekend. Here’s what one reviewer said about our sunset pontoon cruise!
“Absolutely loved our sunset cruise at Armand Bayou Nature Center! 🌅 Our amazing captain and the knowledgeable volunteer made the experience truly special. Gliding silently on the electric pontoon boat meant we got up close with so much incredible wildlife – herons, egrets, ibis, and even deer! It was over an hour of pure tranquility and fantastic sightings. Highly recommend this unique and peaceful adventure if you’re in the area!”

Armand Bayou Nature Center

It’s true! Texas is home to over half of the United States’ turtle diversity. Among them is the resilient red-eared slider, a native to our region and much of the southeastern US (even up to Ohio!). Their remarkable adaptability, while beneficial here, makes them one of the world’s top 100 invasive species in non-native environments, where they can outcompete other native turtles. Mature sliders are primarily herbivorous. Photos and videos by Stacy Holcomb

Armand Bayou Nature Center

It’s National Pollinator Week (June 16-22, 2025)! 🐝🦋 Want to make a real difference for these essential creatures? Start planting native! Native plants provide the best food and habitat for local pollinators. Let’s grow a buzz-worthy future!

Armand Bayou Nature Center

Celebrate Father’s Day weekend in nature! 🌳 Treat Dad to unforgettable memories with sunset pontoon cruises (Saturday & Sunday), exciting Blacksmith Demos (Saturday only!), and the chance to explore all the beauty of ABNC with general admission. So many ways to reconnect and make this weekend special! ✨
And for a gift that keeps on giving, ABNC memberships and gift cards make the perfect present for dads who love nature! 🎁 

Armand Bayou Nature Center

New insect travel champ alert for #WildlifeWednesday at ABNC! 🤩 The Globe Skimmer also known as the Wandering Glider dragonfly, a tiny 1.5-inch wonder, clocks in an insane 8,700 to 11,200 miles on its migrations making this the longest migrating insect! Move over monarch butterflies who sometimes migrate over 3000 miles, these little guys are truly global! Scientists found dragonflies from Texas to India are basically genetic twins, riding high-altitude winds (way over a half mile up at 3280 ft.!) to connect. Mind blown! 🤯 The animal that migrates longer than this insect are Arctic Terns who go 25,000 miles! Photo courtesy of Sara Bateman photo taken at ABNC. 

Armand Bayou Nature Center

🌞 Summer EcoCamps are wildly fun! Upcoming topics include Water wizards (Wetlands), Prairie Rangers, Buzz and Flutter pollinators and Radical Reptiles—there’s something for every young nature explorer! 🐢🌾🦋💧
Register today 👉 abnc.org/ecocamps

Armand Bayou Nature Center

Today is World Ocean Day! Chloe and Wren had a nice day yesterday at Artist Boat ’s World Ocean Day Festival on Galveston Island! Our bucket didn’t win Artist Boat’s “Beautify the Bucket” contest but will be on the beach all summer!
Want to keep celebrating our local waters? We still have spots available on our sunset pontoon cruise tonight! We’ll explore our beautiful bayou, which feeds right into Galveston Bay – a vital part of our ocean ecosystem. Book at https://www.abnc.org/pontoon-boat-cruises

Armand Bayou Nature Center

Gary Seloff’s wonderful photo and description of this least bittern.
“Chopped Liver (Least Bittern); When I move slowly in my kayak, I can often get within a few feet of a Least Bittern feeding or preening on Horsepen Bayou. If the bird becomes concerned about my presence it can step back a few inches into the reeds and completely disappear. But if business interests lead it to another part of the bayou that happens to cross my path, I’m ignored as though I’m not even there. After snagging a few baitfish at the base of the reeds, this female zipped past my right ear as she called out her intentions to a mate lurking a few yards away.”

Armand Bayou Nature Center

✨ Good news! We’ve added more firefly hikes this weekend. Don’t miss your chance to witness nature’s light show. These spots disappear quicker than a blink, so reserve yours now!💛
Reservations required 👉 https://www.abnc.org/firefly-hikes 😍
Photography courtesy of Edward J. Wargo!

Armand Bayou Nature Center

🎣🌿 Unplug the screens and plug into wild summer fun!
At ABNC’s EcoCamps, kids fish, hike, canoe, explore ponds, meet live animals, and discover the wild side of science! 🐢☀️
🌎 Space is limited — grab your spot: https://www.abnc.org/ecocamps

Armand Bayou Nature Center

Calling all awesome people! 👋 Armand Bayou Nature Center has AMAZING volunteer opportunities waiting for you! Education, Natural History demos, Prairie Fridays, Night Hikes, FarmHouse fun (candles, butter, dolls!), Gem Crew, Gardening, and introducing MARSH MONDAYS! Skip the gym, save a habitat! Join our sweet volunteer crew. Bring yourself, friends, or organization! Learn about Marsh plant rescue & propagation and sign up NOW: [https://www.abnc.org/volunteer] 

Armand Bayou Nature Center

Black vultures and crested caracaras have been caught in the act of… preening each other here at ABNC! 🪶
This rare behavior, called interspecific allopreening, helps these unlikely buddies strengthen social bonds, chill out potential tension, and even boost their teamwork while scavenging.
The caracaras get help sniffing out snacks, and the vultures get a noisy lookout. Teamwork makes the dream (or at least the roadkill) work! Scavengers are beneficial! And caracaras can hunt as well! 🦅💀🍽️
Videos and photos courtesy of Stacy Holcomb and Tyson Vodochodsky

Armand Bayou Nature Center

Celebrating a fantastic year of eco-learning with the education team on the pontoon cruise! A heartfelt shout-out to all our dedicated teachers and volunteers who made our eco-programs a success. We’re now buzzing with excitement for summer eco-camps! Sign up your kid up for summer ecocamps here, also you can sign up for pontoon cruise as well! : https://www.abnc.org ☀️🦋 

Armand Bayou Nature Center

Step into a world of wonder & learning on our Firefly Hikes!
Reservation required!👉 abnc.org/firefly-hikes
✨ What did the firefly say to its date?
“You light up my life!” 💛

Armand Bayou Nature Center

🚨 Screen break alert! 🚨
From curious tots to adventurous teens, it’s time to swap tablets for tadpoles and get outside at ABNC! 🌿✨
Registration is NOW OPEN for our EcoPrograms, EcoTots Bilingües, and Summer EcoCamps! 🐢🌼🦆
Upcoming topics include:
🌸 Flowers / Flores
🛡️ Armored Animals
🪶 Birds of the Bayou
Let’s turn your kids into wild explorers—no WiFi needed.
👉 https://www.abnc.org/ecoeducation

Armand Bayou Nature Center

🌾 A big prairie-sized THANK YOU to San Jacinto College and our volunteers for digging in (literally!) and helping us plant native prairie plants in the heart of our prairie! 🌱💪
Your energy and teamwork made a huge difference—and thanks to you, the bees, butterflies, and birds are already buzzing with excitement. 🐝🦋🐦
We’re so grateful for your support!

Armand Bayou Nature Center

🦎 The Invasive Cuban Brown Anole – an uninvited guest with a long travel history! First seen in Florida in the 1880s, made it to Houston by 1987, and started turning up at ABNC around 2013. They may be tiny, but they compete with our native Green Anoles sending them higher up the trees. Take note that our own native Carolina green anoles can be brown however they do not have that pattern nor do they have that “dark eye bar” or “winged eyeliner” above the eye like these do. Photos by Tyson Vodochodsky and Stacy Holcomb. 

Armand Bayou Nature Center

Weekend vibes are officially ON! 😎 Get ready for a fantastic lineup of adventures at ABNC! 🎉
🛶 Saturday Guided Kayak Tours: Paddle through beautiful waters and discover nature up close!
🐊 Saturday Bayou Safari Tour: Explore the wild side and spot incredible wildlife!
🌅 Sunday Sunset Pontoon Cruise: Relax and soak in breathtaking views as the sun goes down.
✨ Sunday Firefly Hike: Psst! We have 3️⃣ last-minute spots open for a magical evening stroll with fireflies!
Don’t miss out on the fun! Book your adventure today! ➡️ https://www.abnc.org/reconnect-with-nature

Armand Bayou Nature Center

Your explorers have just TWO more weeks to dive into the wonders of nature with ABNC’s awesome EcoPrograms! 🌿 From tiny tots (18 months!) to teens (18 years!), we’ve got hands-on adventures that spark curiosity and create lasting memories. Imagine them discovering the magic of Water Cycles 💧, getting up close with majestic Hawks 🦅, exploring the bayou for Crabs 🦀, trying their hand at Seining 🎣, and even learning to Fish! 🐠

Don’t miss out on these limited-time opportunities for outdoor fun and learning. Secure their spot today – registration is required! 👉 https://www.abnc.org/eco-programs
Want to keep the nature adventures going all summer long? ☀️ Our Summer EcoCamps are packed with even more exciting explorations!

📸 Thanks to Tyson Vodochodsky & Stacy Holcomb for the amazing photos & video! 

Armand Bayou Nature Center

Wow, the skies are ALIVE! 🤩 Peak bird migration is in full swing, and ABNC is THE place to be.There have been so many incredible sightings reported and listed on Ebird. Check them out https://ebird.org/hotspot/L128880! Get your binoculars ready for some serious birdwatching magic. Let’s also give these amazing travelers a safe passage by turning off non-essential lights at night.🦢🦅🦉Photos by Stacy Holcomb and Tyson Vodochodsky 

Armand Bayou Nature Center

A special shout-out to ABNC’s Chloe and Brooke who just earned their Texas Master Naturalist certification – congratulations! 🎉🌿

Armand Bayou Nature Center