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
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!
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! 🎁
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.
🌞 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
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
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.”
✨ 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!
🎣🌿 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
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]
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
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 ☀️🦋
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!” 💛
🚨 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
🌾 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!
🦎 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.
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
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!
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
A special shout-out to ABNC’s Chloe and Brooke who just earned their Texas Master Naturalist certification – congratulations! 🎉🌿
What a fantastic Earth Day celebration! 🎉 Massive thanks to everyone who celebrated with us on Sunday! 🌎💚 From meeting our wonderful animal ambassadors 🐾 and making seed balls 🌱 to exploring the beautiful Bayou and more, it was a fantastic day! A big thank you to our Board for the delicious food & drinks! 🍔🥤 We’re also incredibly grateful to our generous sponsors: Port Houston, Bastion Technologies, Gulf Coast Authority, Clean Harbors, and Robbie Lowe Real Estate! 🙏 Our dedicated volunteers, your energy during the demos and smooth handling of logistics made it all possible – thank you so much! And a special thanks to our community partners for sharing their passion for sustainable living. Finally, a huge shout-out to our volunteer coordinator Jessica for her dedication in organizing the event, and to our fantastic visitor services team and stewardship department for all of their hard work!
THANK YOU to TotalEnergies for their generous and much-needed service project clearing the brush left behind by Hurricane Beryl and last year’s 77 day drought. Your efforts are making a real difference. We appreciate you helping us move forward! 👍
Get ready to open your eyes to the universe around you! 🌎✨
Join us for a special film screening of the award-winning documentary OBSERVER: There’s a Universe Everywhere You Turn! 👀🎬
Follow keen-eyed scientists, artists, and a hunter as they explore and describe the world around them. 🤔 What will you observe?
After the film, sharpen your own senses with a hands-on outdoor session in nature! 🌿🔍
📅 Date: April 19th
⏰ Time: 12 PM – 3 PM
💰 Cost: FREE for all members and volunteers! All others are free with ABNC admission. ️
⚠️ Reservation required to ensure we have enough kits for the outdoor activity!
Don’t miss this unique experience to see the world in a new light! ✨ Reserve your spot today! https://www.abnc.org/film-screening-observer
What a fantastic day with Texas A&M University! We did a Bayou Studies class on Armand Bayou! We went on the electric pontoon cruise and it was incredible – saw so many alligators (including babies!), herons, egrets, and even a bald eagle! Loved the hands-on seining, dip netting (shrimp, crabs, fish!), and water testing (pH & salinity). The weather was perfect! Thanks, TAMU! 🤩 Book a field trip today! https://www.abnc.org/group-field-trips
We’re celebrating with a peek into our lush organic vegetable garden—just one of the beautiful gardens we care for here at ABNC. From fresh greens to vibrant veggies, Come see what’s growing!
Having a blast celebrating conservation at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge Bloomin & Bloomin Festival today! 🎉Our ABNC outreach team and our captivating ambassador animals are connecting people with the wonders of wildlife.
Spotted the cutest couple on a stump today! 😍 This vibrant male Southeastern Five-lined Skink, with his bright red head, is hanging out with his lady love, sporting a stunning blue tail. These colorful cuties are a breeding pair, and soon mama skink will be guarding her eggs for up to 6 weeks! Talk about dedication!
Photos by Stacy Holcomb
🎉 Huge thanks to our amazing longtime partner and supporter Nippon Chemical Texas Inc. for their generous donation of $12,000! 🙌 This will go a long way in supporting ABNC’s education and conservation work in 2025. 💚
We are so grateful for our corporate partners. They play a vital role in helping us preserve 4,000 acres of precious Gulf Coast habitats while also inspiring and educating people to explore, respect, and protect nature for generations to come. 🌎
💚 A huge shout out to Paige Siekierski with Troop 849 from Clear Lake! 🎉 Thank you for your hard work rebuilding our docks at May’s Pond, creating a gravel pad, and tackling all that sawgrass removal! Your dedication makes a big difference for our ecoclasses and visitors. 🦅
We’re truly grateful for the amazing Eagle Scouts who have helped ABNC! 🙌
🌼Welcome Spring 🌷Happy First Day of Spring! Celebrate the arrival of blooming flowers by visiting ABNC. The weather is amazing and this season is the perfect time to connect with nature and explore the wonders of the outdoors. Photo courtesy of Tyson Vodochodsky
Spring drama unfolding at ABNC! 🐊🦋🦜 A bold skipper butterfly lands on an juvenile alligator… Meanwhile, a very focused green heron is locked in on a tadpole for lunch—totally oblivious to the alligator!
Our ambassador animals say hi! 🐊🐍🐢 Drop by Armand Bayou Nature Center for a special meet-and-greet with our amazing ambassador animals! Our zoologist will bring out one animal at a time, and some you can even touch! Don’t miss this fun, up-close experience with our wildlife friends. Perfect for all ages! Please note that this is a special add-on program not included with regular admission 🎟️https://www.abnc.org/animal-encounters
Get ready for Spring Break at ABNC, where adventure awaits your family every day! We’re open daily during Spring Break. Reconnect with nature, make new discoveries, and create lasting memories. Don’t miss out on our special activities:
🚤 Mini Pontoon Cruises
🐊 Ambassadors Up Close Animal Encounters
🦅 Ospreys and Eagles Cruise
🦇 Bat Hike
🚗 Bayou Safari Tours
🏕️ Kids Day EcoCamps
Visit https://www.abnc.org/reconnect-with-nature to plan your adventure today!
Armadillos are not only almost blind during the day 👀—they also have undergone a name change! The Texas state small mammal is now the Mexican long-nosed armadillo after scientists discovered that the nine-banded armadillo is actually FOUR distinct species! Photos of armadillos at ABNC courtesy of Stacy Holcomb.
🌿🐾 There’s always something exciting happening at Armand Bayou Nature Center! From Group Field Trips to EcoPrograms and our popular Spring EcoCamp (spots are filling fast! 🚀)
Don’t miss out—reserve your spot today at https://www.abnc.org/ecoeducation! 🌎✨
🌿💪 A huge THANK YOU to Foremark Performance Chemicals for lending a hand (and some serious muscle!) in tackling woody encroachment on our prairie! Their help in digging up persistent green ash roots makes a big difference in our continued preservation of our Coastal tall-grass prairie. 🌾✨Special shoutout to Erik Pitoniak for organizing this awesome Service Project! 👏👏
🌞 This weekend just got better! Not only are we OPEN, but we’ve got exciting activities lined up:⚒️ a Blacksmithing Class and a Bayou Safari Tour! Don’t miss out on the adventure! Sign up now at abnc.org/reconnect-with-nature 🌿
🌿 It’s National Invasive Species Awareness Week! 🌿 At Armand Bayou Nature Center, we’re working hard to protect our local ecosystem from the threats of invasive species like Chinese tallow, water hyacinth, and more. These non-native plants and animals, like feral hogs, apple snails and nutria, disrupt habitats and harm native wildlife. 🌎 Let’s all do our part to raise awareness and protect the beauty of nature! Learn how you can support our continued preservation of ABNC for future generations through memberships, volunteering and more. https://www.abnc.org/ways-to-give 🦋🌳
Big thanks to the amazing TECKS Academy Beta Club for their hard work clearing brush along the trails! 🌳🙌 Your dedication keeps ABNC beautiful! 💪
Join us February 23rd 12-5pm to honor Mark Kramer’s legacy of conservation and exploration of the natural world. Mark was ABNC’s Chief Naturalist and Conservation Director for over 25 years. Admission will be free and we will have animal demos as well as catch and release cane pole fishing. Learn more at abnc.org/kramer-day
🌿🐾 Explore & discover with ABNC’s EcoPrograms! Designed for kids 18 months–18 years, these hands-on nature adventures feature exciting weekly topics like Who Lives Here?, That’s Not a Duck!, Meet the Keeper Skunk🦨, Hawks, Otters🦦, Nature Painting & more! Otter Photo by Gary Seloff
📅 Sign up for one week or many! Register at abnc.org/eco-programs
🌿🙌THANK YOU to our amazing stewardship volunteers & staff! Your hard work keeps Armand Bayou Nature Center thriving—from restoring habitats to caring for wildlife. We couldn’t do it without you! Special thanks to Edward J. Wargo for this video and to Luke Jolly for the interview! 💚🐢🌱
🌸💕Love is blossoming—Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! Instead of the typical flowers that wilt and chocolates that disappear, why not gift the joy of shared moments this year? 🥰Treat the one you love to an ABNC membership: 💝https://www.abnc.org/membership
Thank you to the amazing Armand Bayou Nature Center volunteers & staff for joining us at the Teacher Outreach Program at Moody Gardens last Saturday! 🌿🍃 Your passion for nature & education makes a world of difference! 👏🌎
🚀 Exciting news! We’ll be at the Greater Houston Area STEM Conference at UHCL on Sat, March 1st! Come visit our booth, connect with fellow STEM lovers, and dive into all things science & tech! 🔬🤖 Register now: http://bit.ly/UHCLSTEMConference
We may not have Punxsutawney Phil down here in SE Texas, but we do have crane flies! 🦟✨ These gangly-legged flyers have been around for 245 million years—longer than dinosaurs! Harmless and a favorite cat toy, they also double as ceiling cleaners (you’re welcome, spiders). Love them or hate them, their wobbly return is a sure sign that spring has arrived! Photos by Stacy Holcomb 🌿☀️
We had our Volunteer Appreciation Dinner last night, celebrating the incredible dedication of our volunteers! 🎉 Over 303 volunteers gave their time, logging over 10,000 hours of service. 6 volunteers went above and beyond with over 300 hours each, and our top volunteer this year is Mike Petit with an amazing 753 hours! 👏 Our volunteer of the year award goes to these volunteers, Mike Pettit, Barry Dubbin, Sherrie Jackson, John Keller and teen volunteers goes to Sydney Bergman and Mylee Flores! Thank you all for your hard work and commitment!
🐾🌿 ABNC EcoPrograms are here! Led by biologists, certified teachers, and naturalists, these small group adventures are perfect for tots to teens. Choose your favorite topics, join for a week or more, and dive into nature!🎯 Upcoming topics, Fantasy Animals, Bobcats and Coyotes, Bobwhite Quail, Seedballs and Conservation, Shelter Building and Trail Blazing.📚 Registration required: abnc.org/eco-programs#STEM Coyote by Andrew Hamlett, bobcat by Jim Tom Holcomb
🌞 We’re back in action! After some historic cold weather and icy adventures, the thaw is here, and we’re OPEN today and all weekend during our regular hours! 🔥✨ Explore the wild side on our Bayou Safari Tours. 🐊⚒️ The ice has melted—time to make some memories! Register at abnc.org/reconnect-with-nature
We had hoped to reopen ABNC today, but due to the icy conditions we will be closed Wednesday and Thursday for the safety of our visitors, volunteers and staff. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Stay safe and warm!
🌳 Ever heard of a bird that taps trees for snacks? Meet the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker! 🐦💛
These clever woodpeckers bore holes into tree bark, letting sap ooze out, which they slurp up with their brush-like tongues. 🍁 Talk about a sweet tooth!
Fun fact: They’re the only fully migratory woodpecker in North America. ✈️
Nature is amazing—what’s your favorite bird fact?
Photos and video courtesy of Gary Seloff and Stacy Holcomb
🌿 We’re Hiring Stewardship Technicians! 🌱Perfect for recent grads eager to gain experience in conservation, sustainability, restoration and ecology. Start your journey in protecting our planet today! Learn more and how to apply at https://www.abnc.org/jobs
🌿 ABNC’s upcoming EcoPrograms are a fun way to learn about nature! 🌟 Give your kids a hands-on way to learn about pelicans, opossums, winter songbirds, the rock cycle, seed balls and conservation! 🦉
Kids 18 months to 18 years explore a new topic each week! Registration required.
📅 Sign up now: abnc.org/eco-programs
Let’s make learning an adventure! 🐾✨
What a BEAUTIFUL sunny day! Perfect for connecting with nature! 🌿 This morning’s bird count saw 54 species, including THREE bald eagles! 🦅✨
And the fun doesn’t stop there—the Houston Area Blacksmith Association (HABA) is here too, sharing their incredible craft! 🔨🔥
Come enjoy the sunshine and the wonders of nature with us today! Photo of bald eagle by Tyson Vodochodsky
Even with the recent cold weather, our winters are much milder than other parts of the country, and bison are built to thrive in winter conditions! Here are some amazing ways bison are adapted for the winter:
🦬Year-round grazers: Bison eat all year to pack on pounds, ensuring they don’t lose too much weight during harsh winters.
🦬Thick, insulated fur: Their fur is so effective that snow sits on top without melting, keeping them warm underneath.
🦬Long eyelashes: These protect their eyes from snow and ice buildup.
🦬Energy conservation: In winter, their metabolism slows down, reducing their energy needs. They also lower their heart and breathing rates to conserve energy—just on the edge of torpor, but not quite there!
Nature is incredible, and bison are a perfect example of resilience and adaptation. 🐾 Stay warm out there!
🌿 ABNC EcoPrograms are back starting January 8th! 🌟 Give your kids (18 months to 18 years) the chance to explore, discover, and learn about nature in a whole new way. 🦉 Every week brings an exciting new topic—book one week or many! 🌎 These kids enjoyed learning about and pretending to be woodpeckers!
👩🔬 Perfect for #STEM learning, #homeschool enrichment, or just fun #kidsactivities! 🌟
📅 Registration is OPEN now: abnc.org/eco-programs
Let’s make science an adventure! 🐾✨
Wildlife drama on Armand Bayou! 🦅 An Osprey scored a fresh fish, but a bold juvenile Bald Eagle had other plans. The chase was on—nature’s version of ‘fast food’! Also known as kleptoparasitism which is a feeding strategy where one animal deliberately steals food from another.🍴🐟 Photo courtesy of Gary Seloff
