We are open every day of winter break for more time in nature. And don’t miss our special First Day activities to celebrate the New Year and start 2025 off right! abnc.org/first-day-hikes
Winter EcoCampers had a blast last week, roasting marshmallows on the campfire, building fairy houses, spotting winter wildlife on the trails and more. If Winter Break is feeling a bit long for you and your kids, try one of our upcoming EcoCamps! https://www.abnc.org/sesaonal-ecocamps
To provide even more time for you and your family to reconnect with nature, ABNC is open every day of winter break except Christmas Day! Visit us and see our all new Welcome Center and enjoy seeing winter wildlife enjoying the cooler weather.
The 2024 Armand Bayou Christmas Bird Count was a success, thanks to 82 dedicated volunteers and the Nature Center staff. The weather was perfect, a relief after the previous few years of rainouts. Around 150 species were recorded, including rare sightings like the Black Scoter (only the third appearance in 37 years), Sprague’s Pipit (first since 2004), and Ground Doves. The highlight was the Green-Tailed Towhee, a rare find last recorded in 2011. Some regular species, like geese were absent and hummingbirds were low, ruby throated and rufous. And 360 sandhill cranes were seen flying over! A big thank you to all involved, and the team looks forward to next year. Additional photos and results are available on eBird. Please check out the results and enjoy the many wonderful photos from the count:eBird Trip Report https://ebird.org/tripreport/305932. And also a special trip report just for the new 1,100 acres, found here – https://ebird.org/tripreport/307632. Thank you to Andrew Hamlett and Martha Hood, Co-Compilers, Armand Bayou Christmas Bird Count! And photos courtesy of Andrew Hamlett
Armand Bayou Nature Center (ABNC) is continuing a 50-year collaboration with Harris County and ExxonMobil by adding 1,147 acres to its existing preserve, making it the largest in Texas. Previously owned by ExxonMobil, the piece of land known as the Clear Lake Oil Field rests along the upper portions of Armand Bayou in Pasadena, Texas and will provide safe habitats for local animal species and enhance important ecosystems.
“A single acre of Texas coastal tallgrass prairie is estimated to hold up to 1.5 million gallons of flood water, which will help keep our homes and businesses safe from major rain events,” Armand Bayou Nature Center’s Executive Director, Tim Pylate, said. “That same acre can naturally sequester as much as a ton of carbon annually. Think about what 1,147 acres does for the environment and the health of our community. We can’t wait to begin the work of returning this land to its former glory. This is our ecological heritage.”
ABNC will work to restore the land to its previous conditions as a Texas coastal tallgrass prairie and riparian forest along upper Armand Bayou. Restoring the land not only improves wildlife values for iconic species like American bald eagles and enhances the important ecosystem services flood plains provide, such as flood mitigation, water purification, and carbon sequestration.
This effort is similar to the one that created the nature center 50 years ago, bringing together resources and cooperation from local governments, a local nonprofit, and ExxonMobil. Harris County provided more than $6.5 million dollars to this latest addition to the center, and Armand Bayou Nature Center contributed almost $5.5 million, bolstered by public funds like the RESTORE Act and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s Galveston Bay Estuary Program. Private contributions came from the Knobloch Family Foundation, the Brown Foundation, the Fondren Foundation, the Cullen Foundation, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, and others.
“With this expansion, we are protecting our communities from flooding while ensuring we maintain the natural systems that make our county a great place to live,” said Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia.
“Our 50-year collaboration with Armand Bayou Nature Center and Harris County highlights our efforts to care for the environment in our overall approach to sustainability,” said ExxonMobil Environmental & Property Solutions Vice President Bill Jurney. “We aim to contribute to the wellbeing of the communities and environment where we operate – including in our hometown of Houston.”
The new acquisition will bring ABNC’s total acreage to 3,947 acres. Located in Pasadena, Texas, ABNC protects three vanishing Gulf Coast habitats: wetland forest, coastal tallgrass prairie, and the unchannelized estuarine Armand Bayou and its surrounding marshes. The survival of these vulnerable ecosystems is vital for the wildlife that depend upon them, for people seeking the wonder and comforts of nature, and for the range of ecosystem services they provide, including carbon sequestration, storm water retention, flood abatement and water quality improvement. ABNC’s living classroom makes it the perfect place to experience and learn about nature through year-round educational and recreational programs for all ages.
A heartfelt thanks to Texas Conservation Corps a Program of American YouthWorks, for helping us clear away the Hurricane Beryl fallen tree debris from ABNC’s Rotary Pond today!
Winter Ecocamps are back! Topics include Radical Reptiles, Birds of Prey, Who Was Here? Scat and Tracks and Fantasy Animals. Registration is now open for 2025 EcoPrograms too! Learn more at abnc.org/ecoeducation.
Christmas by the Bayou was so much fun on Saturday and we are truly grateful to all of the volunteers, visitors and staff who came even with the rain on Sunday! A big thank you to Santa and Mrs. Claus for making time in their busy schedule to stop by ABNC to visit the kids and ambassador animals.
EcoSchoolers and EcoAdventurers will be learning about deer and foxes this week, and don’t miss the fun EcoAfternoon campout tomorrow.
🌿 A huge THANK YOU to our incredible Prairie Friday #volunteers! From collecting seeds, propagating them in the nursery, and caring for them by watering and weeding, to growing them into strong plants – your hard work and dedication are truly inspiring! 🌱💪 Thank you to Ed Wargo for the video footage! Together, we’re making our prairies thrive!🌾
As temperatures cool some local wildlife tend to go dormant and hide from the wind and elements. Very few mammals hibernate in Texas because of our mild climate. Reptiles like alligators and turtles do not hibernate, but they do go into a lethargic state called brumation. This mamma gator prepared for the cold by digging a hole to create a den that she and her little ones can use to regulate their temperatures in both the hotter and cooler weather. Photos courtesy of Tyson Vodochodsky and Anne Barfield
Did you know? In winter, Texas becomes a cozy retreat for Wilson’s Snipes! These elusive birds migrate south to the state’s wetlands, where their camouflaged plumage blends perfectly with the marshes. Listen closely—you might hear their unique ‘drumming’ flight display at dawn or dusk! Photo courtesy of Gary Seloff
EcoPrograms for kids ages 18 months to 18 years are happening every week through to December 18th. Each week offers fun new activities and topics including deer, cardinals, squirrels, blacksmithing, hibernation and more. For tots to 6 years old check out our new bilingual programs, and for children ages 7 to 14 try our fun EcoAfternoon Campout Celebration. Learn more and register https://www.abnc.org/eco-programs
Get away from the hustle and bustle of the big shopping crowds today and enjoy the cool Fall air as you explore ABNC. While you’re here you can knock out some of your Christmas shopping in our Gift Shop, fully stocked with fun nature inspired shirts, hats, books, toys and much more.
ABNC staff and volunteers visit the bison with Zoologist Mr. Chris as EcoCampers watch feeding time, and get a lesson on prairie and wildlife conservation and the historical importance of the US largest mammal.
Even if you’ve tried a Bayou Safari Tour or Mini Pontoon cruise before, every season brings new sights, sounds and wildlife to see. They are a great way to bond with, or escape your family depending on how your Thanksgiving break is going! 🙂 And we still have a few spots left for our Tuesday EcoCamp if you want to get your kids off their devices and out in nature. Book an adventure today https://www.abnc.org/reconnect-with-nature
Our EcoTots class was enjoying Fall Fowl. They did some turkey art and enjoyed seeing live bobwhite quail! Don’t miss out on our November 22 EcoTots class about squirrels! Learn more about our other EcoPrograms for tots to teens at https://www.abnc.org/eco-programs
Reconnect with nature and make family memories at ABNC this Thanksgiving Break! We will be open special hours offering more time in nature, and once you’ve said hello to our new 40 foot gator and explored our new interactive Welcome Center, you can explore over 5 miles of trail. For even more nature fun, choose one of our many outdoor adventures. Drift peacefully along our bayou on a morning, sunset or mini Pontoon Cruise, leisurely discover ABNC on a Bayou Safari Tour, and get your kids off of their devices and out into nature with one of our fun Fall EcoCamps. Learn more at https://www.abnc.org/reconnect-with-nature
Guided Kayak Tours and morning or sunset Pontoon Cruises are an amazing way to explore the heart of ABNC! What will you see as you travel along Armand Bayou? Photos courtesy of Tyson Vodochodsky
Check out our newly completed Hana Ginzbarg Welcome Center. Carefully crafted exhibits display why the confluence of bayou, riparian forest, and coastal tall-grass prairie at ABNC are critical to biodiversity and the health of the environment. The exhibits also provide valuable history of the ABNC site and why restoring and protecting imperiled native habitats is crucial for our community. Browsing our interactive Welcome Center will prepare you for what you’ll see and do as you begin your journey through ABNC.
Our amazing volunteers and members joined us at ABNC last night for a Star Party hosted by Johnson Space Center Astronomical Society (JSCAS). As part of its mission of public outreach, the JSCAS enjoys hosting “Star Parties” where the public has the opportunity to observe the skies through members’ telescopes. We had so much fun enjoying the fall weather and stargazing, learning about the night sky and observing some of its wonders. The nearly full Moon, Saturn and Jupiter were marvels to explore! Thank you to JSCAS for sharing their knowledge and hosting such a fun event for ABNC volunteers and members. Photos courtesy of Haley Holland & Stacy Holcomb
Thank you H-E-B for sponsoring Texas Recycles Day at ABNC this weekend on November 15th, 16th, 17th! Each visitor who brings a single-use plastic water bottle or single-use plastic bag from any retailer will receive FREE admission thanks to H-E-B. Help us conserve and protect Our Texas, Our Future as you enjoy exploring ABNC.
Anhinga drying her wings after taking a dip in Horsepen Bayou. Unlike most ducks and other water birds, Anhingas don’t oil their feathers in order to reduce buoyancy as they dive for fish. So in the absence of water off a duck’s back, as it were, they perch for long periods with their wings spread in the sun to aid in drying. Info and photo courtesy of Gary Seloff
#wildlifewednesday #birdwatching #birds
The morning rain on Saturday and Sunday didn’t dampen the fun over the weekend, our Golden Jubilee Festival was a big hit thanks to all who visited, the businesses and organizations who provided entertainment and information, our amazing and dedicated volunteers and generous sponsors! We are truly grateful for all of your support and want to thank you for making our very special 50th anniversary celebration such a big success!
Armand Bayou Nature Center invites you to celebrate Texas Recycles Day sponsored by H-E-B on November 15th, 16th, 17th! Each visitor who brings a plastic water bottle or single-use plastic bag from any retailer receives FREE admission. Help us conserve and protect Our Texas, Our Future as you enjoy exploring ABNC.
ABNC is looking great for our Golden Jubilee Fall Festival! It takes many hands to make such a large event happen and we want to thank the many dedicated ABNC volunteers who helped set up the festival. We are also very grateful for the Celanese Corporation team who provided so much help with setting up yesterday.
As we prepare for our Golden Jubilee Fall Festival, celebrating ABNC’s 50th Anniversary this weekend, we’re looking back at photos from our Fall Festival in 1982.
Photos from ABNC archives
Join us this weekend for live music, food, games, wagon rides and more as we celebrate 50 years of Armand Bayou Nature Center! Check out our all new entrance as you’re greeted by our all new epic 40 foot Gator Sculpture. Be part of the grand opening of our completed Hana Ginzbarg Welcome Center! https://www.abnc.org/fall-festival
Special thanks to our generous sponsors Dixie Chemical Company, PEMEX Deer Park, Chemours, and SSCI Environmental, Inc. for helping to make this event possible!
From tots to teens, get you kids off their devices and outside for an outdoor adventure at ABNC! Registration is open for our EcoPrograms, Ecotots Bilingües and Fall & Winter EcoCamps. https://www.abnc.org/ecoeducation
Today is National Bison Day & it is also National Native American Heritage Month. For thousands of years, Native Americans relied heavily on bison for their survival & well-being, using every part of the bison for food, clothing, shelter, tools, jewelry & in ceremonies. Bison are the largest mammal in North America. Male bison can be up to 6 ft tall and weigh up to 2000 pounds, while female bison can weigh up to 1000! It only takes 2 years for a female bison calf to grow into a mature breeding adult, whereas it takes the male 5 years. In the wild they can live 15 years and in captivity up to 25 years. They can run up to 35 mph and jump as high as 6 ft and can jump 7 ft horizontally.
ABNC now offers Bilingues EcoTots for ages 18 months to 3 years, inspiring young children and their caregivers to explore, respect, and protect nature. https://www.abnc.org/ecotots-bilingues
Last Saturday’s Creepy Crawlers was amazing! Thank you to all of our guests and volunteers who made this event a big success!!
Have you seen our new gator! This week we added this epic, eye-catching sculpture designed by Paul Kittelson as part of our Renewal 2024 project to celebrate 50 years of ABNC! This is the first part of our reimagined entrance, designed to capture the curiosity of those who drive by to inspire them to visit and explore ABNC.
We are truly grateful for all of the amazing volunteers who came out on Saturday for Prairie Pandemonium to plant over 2,250 native tallgrass prairie plants. We also want to thank our generous sponsors whose support made this crucial conservation event possible! Thank you H-E-B Our Texas Our Future, REI , Galveston Bay Area Chapter – Texas Master Naturalist , Wild Birds Unlimited and Bay Area Meat Market & Deli for making such a big difference in our conservation efforts! Please support these businesses and organizations to show gratitude for their support.
Ahoy matey, arr’ ye ready for Pelicans & Pirates Pontoon Cruises and Sunset Kayak Paddle this weekend? Join our swarthy crew of deck hand or kayakers for these fun limited time low seas adventure exploring the historic backwaters of Galveston Bay! Learn more at https://www.abnc.org/events Photos by Gary Seloff
Teen and parent volunteers clean and decorated the pole barn for our upcoming Creepy Crawlers event this Saturday.
Arr’ ye team Kayak or Pontoon when it comes to your Pelicans & Pirates adventures? Both offer a fun and unique experience exploring the historic backwaters of Galveston Bay! Ahoy matey it’s time to set sail on one or both of these low seas adventures along Armand Bayou! Photos courtesy of Gary Seloff
Timothy Witt, his father and Troop 30 worked hard for 2 days installing the floor in the Carpenter’s Shed and moving everything back in from the Hay Barn as part of an Eagle Scout service project for his Distinguished Eagle Scout Award! We appreciate everything you’ve done for us!
Lauren presented her Girl Scout’s Silver Award program on Wetland Birds with materials she created to some of the Education Department staff. These materials will continue to be used for programs and classes here at ABNC. The Silver Award is one of the highest awards in Girl Scouting! #Thankyou and way to go Lauren!
ABNC and our team of dedicated volunteers meticulously restore and conserve 900 acres of coastal tall-grass prairie which supports a huge diversity of prairie-dependent plants and animals. You can volunteer to be part of our annual Prairie Pandemonium on October 19th, where hundreds of volunteers from our community will come out to help us preserve one of the last remnants of historic prairie in Texas. Registration deadline is October 15th. https://www.abnc.org/prairie-pandemonium
Thank you to our prairie volunteers and generous sponsors for making this year’s Prairie Pandemonium possible. H-E-B , REI , Wild Birds Unlimited, Bay Area Meat Market & Deli, and Galveston Bay Area Chapter – Texas Master Naturalist
Photos of 2011 Prairie Pandemonium courtesy of Tyson Vodochodsky
We have seen a number of ruby-throated hummingbirds in the butterfly garden recently. In the Fall fewer Ruby-throats cross the Gulf of Mexico than in Spring. Traveling up to 23 miles a day in the Fall mostly along the Texas coast back into Mexico to avoid tropical storms and hurricanes. Whereas in the Spring, they can cover a distance of approximately 500 miles, flying non-stop for 18 to 22 hours to reach the other side of the Gulf. Sometimes they’ll stay in Texas year round if they are too old or too young. While hummingbirds can and have been seen eating mosquitos, their primary food source is actually nectar. Photo courtesy of Tyson Vodochodsky.
Arrr’ ye ready to join Cap’n James and his deck crew for a Pelicans & Pirates Pontoon Night Cruise, or join our swarthy crew of kayakers for a guided sunset paddle tour? Explore the bayou and learn how the historic backwaters of Galveston Bay provided the perfect refuge for notorious ne’er-do-wells and plundering pelicans alike. https://www.abnc.org/reconnect-with-nature Sunset with Pelican photo courtesy of Gary Seloff
While Bats may not be as beloved as fireflies or owls, they are intriguing animals and are critical to our ecosystem and biodiversity. They reduce the mosquito population in Texas, need we say more! Learn more about these misunderstood mammals and try to spot some on an ABNC Bat Hike.
