We’re hiring Summer Day Camp Counselors for our Summer EcoCamps. If you have experience working with youth of various ages, and are interested in an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling summer camp job this summer, love children and the outdoors, learn more about this exciting opportunity at abnc.org/jobs
Category: Armand Bayou Nature Center
Jessica Lamb led the charge at the Bayou Preservation Association ceremony, turning single-use plant pots into treasures for nurseries and farms.
Jessica Lamb was representing ABNC at the Bayou Preservation Association ribbon cutting ceremony for Pots for Plots for a more permanent location. This will be the first of more permanent sites. Pots for Plots is our community-driven initiative aimed at tackling plastic waste. By gathering and recycling single-use plant pots, we’re offering them a new purpose at nurseries and farms in need. Last year alone, we collected a whopping 15,173 pots across 9 sites, benefiting 24 partners and making a significant impact on our environment.
Bunny encounter at Armand Bayou on March 24th from 12-3pm. Learn about rabbit care, adoption, and snap a pic with a fluffy friend.
Hop over to ABNC March 24th 12-3pm for a Bunny Encounter! Houston Rabbit Resource will be here teaching about rabbit care, the adoption process, and you can take a photo with a bunny. This fun new activity is included with regular admission or ABNC membership.
Check out a big mama gator soaking up the sun at Armand Bayou.
Armand Bayou scored some big bucks from a NCTI $12,000 donation helping to preserve Gulf Coast habitats.
This #thankfulthursday we are grateful for our longtime partner and supporter NCTI who donated $12,000 to support ABNC’s education and conservation work for 2024. Our corporate partners are such an important part of helping us continue preserving 2,500 acres of imperiled Gulf Coast habitats while educating and inspiring people to explore, respect, and protect nature for generations to come.
Travel back in time with Armand Bayou in their hands-on history class last week.
The hands on history class last week was a blast from the past. We have fun topics like this and more coming after Spring Break! abnc.org/eco-programs
Armand Bayou’s Wren and Susan brought science fun to 5,000 sixth graders with Mind Trekkers adventures.
Wren and Susan from Armand Bayou Nature Center did an outreach yesterday afternoon at San Jacinto College for the Mind Trekkers adventures in STEM Festival. During the day, nearly 5,000 sixth graders from Channelview, Clear Creek, Deer Park, Galena Park, La Porte, Pasadena, and Sheldon independent school districts. They engaged in more than 100 hands-on science experiments. This was a great opportunity for our local sixth graders and community to appreciate and learn about science, technology, math, and engineering. Not in the photo but our baby alligator was very popular.
Splash into Spring Break at ABNC with some Family Dip-netting, Bayou Safari Tours, or Gator Basking Days.
We will be open every day during Spring Break! We have many fun activities planned for you and your family! Try our Family Dip-netting, Mini Pontoon Cruises, Bayou Safari Tours, or our new Gator Basking Days. Learn more and register at abnc.org.
Celebrate Mark Kramer’s dedication to nature at Armand Bayou with free admission, fishing, and more on March 3rd.
Join us March 3rd 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 catch and release cane pole fishing at May’s Pond from 1-3pm. Learn more at abnc.org/kramer-day
These vibrant frogs at Armand Bayou are the life of the party in any forest munching on bugs and bioindicating.
The American green tree frog lives in open canopy forests with a permanent water source and filled with plentiful vegetation. They also live in urban areas with ponds or backyard pools. They can live up to 6.2 years. Males are usually smaller than females. They are insectivores, primarily consuming flies, mosquitoes, grasshoppers, cockroaches, spiders, beetles, and other small insects such as crickets and ants. One study found it is not uncommon for them to ingest plant material as well. American green tree frogs can also be used as bioindicators for aquatic contamination being that synthetic compounds such as polychlorinated biphenyls are found in many pesticides and pollute the green tree frog’s aquatic habitats. Photo credit: Stacy Holcomb and Tyson Vodochodsky
Check out Armand Bayou’s Rookery Tour this weekend and witness the incredible sight of over 400 colonial waterbirds raising the next generation.
In 2008, a Rookery spontaneously formed at ABNC and it continues to grow every year, with over 400 colonial waterbirds gathering to raise the next generation every Spring at peak nesting season. Our dedicated Stewardship team and volunteers have built and maintained 300 nesting boxes over the year to enhance nesting opportunities on this secluded Rookery! Check out our Rookery Tour this weekend to see this amazing testament to the high-quality complete habitat mosaic of our nature preserve.
The innovative Girl Scout Troop 143059 is on a mission at Armand Bayou to uncover bat secrets.
Girl Scout Troop 143059, mostly from the Pearland area, has been working on a Silver Award Project in conjunction with Amber Bearb, Fish and WIldlife Biologist USFWS and Jennifer Smith-Castro, USFWS White Nose Syndrome/Bat Coordinator. The Troop has been studying bats and taking bat hikes at ABNC with Kevin Bauman since the Fall of 2023. Today they deployed an acoustic listening device on the preserve as part of the North American Bat Monitoring Program. The data collected from this monitoring post will be used to compile the kind of bats in a specific location over time. Later in the Spring. the Troop plans to share this information with ABNC and the surrounding community.
Armand Bayou’s ambassador Skyler, the Red-Tailed Hawk soared at University of Houston-Clear Lake’s 50th Anniversary Celebration.
ABNC joined University of Houston-Clear Lake yesterday for their 50th anniversary with our ambassador red-tailed hawk, Skyler. She was an immense hit!
Dive into nature’s playground at Armand Bayou with family dip-netting, bayou safaris, and sunset cruises, where ospreys and eagles soar.
If you’re looking for a great way to reconnect with nature this weekend try an Ospreys and Eagles Tour, Family Dip-netting, Bayou Safari Tour, or Sunset Cruise! We will also be open Monday for even more time to explore ABNC! Learn more and book your adventure at https://www.abnc.org/
Scout Troop 848 and Camden are conservation heroes at Armand Bayou Nature Center.
Thank you Scout Troop 848 and Camden Redden who lead a conservation project at Armand Bayou Nature Center. The project was to repurpose the bobwhite quail LyondellBasell Aviary to prepare it for the arrival of Skyler, our red-tailed hawk ambassador. They worked hard to power wash the aviary, remove soil, and add new soil to create a habitat for Skyler. A big thanks goes out to Camden and his troop for all the work they are doing.
Armand Bayou: The important role of shad as nature’s fertilizer and food source.
Gulf Menhaden, which local fishermen call shad, can detect ultrasound used by predators. “Menhaden” comes from a Native American word for fertilizer in which they used to bury the fish under the corn crops for a better yield. They are filter feeding omnivores who not only filter zooplankton but also algae in the water. They are considered to be the most important fish in the ocean because they are an extremely important food source for many marine animals including fish, mammals and birds. This small fish is also a key food source for wildlife like dolphins and whales which shows the interconnectivity of our bayou to the ocean. Menhaden are a pelagic schooling fish that migrate inshore during the summer and off-shore in the winter months. A great blog by our late Chief Naturalist and Director of Conservation Emeritus, the late Mark Kramer can be found here. abnc.org/nature-blog/living-water. Photos by Gary Seloff & Stacy Holcomb
#WildlifeWednesday #fish
EcoTots explore wildlife wonders at Armand Bayou. Next up rain, robins, skunks, and crustaceans.
Ecotots have fun learning about various wildlife subjects! Upcoming topics for our EcoPrograms include rain, robins, skunks and crustaceans. In this photo our Zoologist Chris is teaching EcoTots about Hawks. Registration required abnc.org/eco-programs
Shining a light on fireflies, Armand Bayou was paid a visit from renowned researcher Lynn F. Faust.
Thank you to our Firefly volunteer team and to internationally renowned author and firefly researcher, Lynn F. Faust who dropped by to visit Armand Bayou’s firefly habitats in January. This was truly a golden opportunity for the firefly team to learn from the best! Faust refers to her fellow firefly enthusiasts as sparks, but she really is the catalyst that generates the interest and concern for these bioluminescent insects. She remarked on the beauty and diversity of ABNC’s ecosystems! Currently, five species have been identified on site using Faust’s field guide, but she suggested that more would most likely be identified as the research progressed. Faust spent the entire day and evening at Armand walking the trails with Mary Dobberstine, Alyssa Goforth, Leda Parker and staff member Wren Bradley. #thankyou #thankfulthursday #fireflies
Unplug and unwind the kids at Armand Bayou’s EcoExcursions for teens to enjoy nature this Spring Break.
This Spring Break ABNC will be offering EcoExcursions for ages 13 to 18 years old. Teens can take a break from the Virtual World to Canoe, Fish, Bird, Hike, Picnic and more. Each day will be a new outdoor adventure, March 13 & 15. Registration required, sign up for one day or both! abnc.org/teen-ecoexcursions
ABNC celebrated a whopping 13,500 hours of volunteering making a difference in 2023.
We could not do all that we do at ABNC to preserve this vast urban wilderness without our amazing, dedicated volunteers. Last night we had our volunteer appreciation dinner to honor and thank them for all they do. In 2023 our volunteers logged over 13,500 hours. Also, thank you to all the volunteers of the year awarded to Greg Nenninger, Nadia Olsen, Sharon Tummins, Clare Hansen and Niels Udengaard.
Check out how river otters get a long in the cold.
River otters do well in the cold. Texas A&M researchers found that they are internally warmed by thermogenic leak from their skeletal muscle, which in turn, elevates their metabolic rate keeping them warm in frigid waters and ice. We had some otters visit recently. Thank you Donald Parrott for sharing photos of this happy sighting.
Check out some of the up and coming Armand Bayou EcoPrograms. It’s all about nature adventures for kids 18 months to 14 years old.
ABNC’s EcoPrograms provide kids 18 months to 14 years old with unique opportunities to explore and learn about nature. Every week we offer fun new topics, book one week or many. Registration is now open abnc.org/eco-programs. Some upcoming EcoProgram topics are on Pelicans, Bison, Bugging out, and woodpeckers. Photo credit: Stacy Holcomb and Tyson Vodochodsky
Armand Bayou’s bison dancing like there’s no tomorrow in the chilly weather.
Who’s happy about this weather and is North America’s largest land animal? Bison! Photo courtesy of Gary Seloff
We had a big Texas freeze in 1983 and Armand Bayou remembers with some marine death stats.
Thankfully this week’s freeze was only a few days, but back in 1983 the Texas coast had a freeze for 7 consecutive days which caused a massive fish kill, the largest on record for the state of Texas. When water temperature drops below about 45 degrees and remains there for a day or so, fish like spotted seatrout, redfish, black drum, sheepshead and a lot of other smaller fish begin seeing their cold-blooded metabolism slow too low to keep them alive. The final estimate from Texas Parks and Wildlife coastal fisheries was that at least 20 million marine creatures perished and at least 14 million finfish from the freeze in 1983. This photo from December 25th 1983 was donated by Stacy Holcomb and was taken in Timbercove on Taylor Lake, just about a mile south of Armand Bayou Nature Centers boundary of preserved land on the other side of Red Bluff. Armand Bayou Nature Center’s boundary also has part of Taylor bayou that is just north of Taylor Lake.
An inside look at alligators and how they survive in extreme weather at Armand Bayou.
When the weather dips to freezing or below, many people express concern about our own local wildlife. A lot of wildlife tend to go dormant and hide from the wind and elements as best as they can. 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. Mamma Alligators will dig holes like this one did in August to help regulate their temperature in the heat and in the colder months. Photos by Tyson Vodochodsky
#arcticblast #alligator
Armand Bayou will be closed today due to the chill.
Oh deer it’s snow! Well a deer greeting a snowy egret anyways. Due to the winter weather conditions ABNC will be closed Wednesday, January 17th and all EcoProgram classes will be canceled for tomorrow. Photo by Gary Seloff #arcticblast
Armand Bayou hooked up with environmental educators, united to inspire and learn together at Houston Botanic Garden.
Armand Bayou Nature Center education department had a great time going to the environmental educators meet up at Houston Botanic Garden. It was all about getting inspired and learning from like minded environmental educators from Texas and all around the world.
Check out the fun EcoPrograms for kids to learn about animals and science only at Armand Bayou’s Nature Center.
EcoPrograms give kids a fun hands-on way to learn about animals, like raccoons, possums, otters; animal facts, like hibernation and food webs; and scientific elements like acids and bases and energy. Spring classes start this week, book one week or many. abnc.org/eco-programs
Armand Bayou welcomes Skyler their new red-tailed hawk ambassador.
Welcome our new ambassador “Skyler” who is a red-tailed hawk! She has an injured wing and can’t be released back into the wild. Thank you Bay Area Wildlife Rehabilitation with Michele Johnson, Patty Simmons, Brian Cain and Rhonda Murgatroyd for caring for her and working with her and ABNC. We are also thankful for our zoologist Chris Vazquez for his time and dedication putting in over 250 plus hours of falconry training. We are truly grateful to LyondellBasell for sponsoring the aviary. And we’d love to thank Camden Redden and his troop 848 for helping prepare the aviary for her new home.
Troop 1966 made a difference at Heiman House/Frank Smith Library with Armand Bayou stewardship projects.
Thank you Troop 1966 from St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church in Nassau Bay for working hard clearing brush, grasses and leaves surrounding the Heiman House/ Frank Smith Library. Thank you for making a commitment to ABNC for helping with monthly stewardship projects.
Check out the critters for your kid to learn about in Armand Bayou’s EcoPrograms for kids 18 months to 14 years old.
ABNC’s EcoPrograms start January 10th, providing kids 18 months to 14 years old with unique opportunities to explore and learn about nature. Every week we offer fun new topics, book one week or many. Registration is now open abnc.org/eco-programs. Some upcoming topics include raccoon, skunk, woodpeckers and pelican. Photos by Stacy Holcomb and Tyson Vodochodsky
Armand Bayou is celebrating 50 years with exciting plans for 2024.
Happy New Year!! 2024 is ABNC’s 50th anniversary, and we have many exciting plans to mark this momentous year, including the new Welcome Center, which will be completed in mid 2024. Thank you to the many supporters over the past 50 years who have made ABNC the amazing place it is today, we are truly grateful!
Photo by Stacy Holcomb
Kick off the New Year at Armand Bayou with guided hikes, bayou safari tours, and fun demos.
Celebrate the New Year and start it off right at ABNC! Enjoy Guided Hikes, Bayou Safari Tours and Fun Demos on New Year’s Day. https://www.abnc.org/first-day-hikes
Unplug the kids and get them into Armand Bayou’s EcoExplorers Winter Break Program for outdoor adventures.
Get your kids off of their devices and out in nature with Kids EcoExplorers this winter break! Learn more and book at abnc.org/winter-ecoexplorers.
Reconnect with nature at Armand Bayou and meet adorable baby gators this winter break.
Come visit these adorable baby gators this winter break! We’re open today to January 2, providing more time for you and your family to reconnect with nature!
Exciting new bilingual EcoTots program launching in January at Armand Bayou.
EcoPrograms have many fun new programs planned for 2024 including our new Bilingual EcoTots coming in January! Benefits of EcoTots Classes: nature education, dual language learning, sensory activities. Ages 18 months- 3 years.
Reconnect with nature this Winter Break at Armand Bayou Nature Center.
Reconnect with nature this winter break! We have special hours for general admission, and check out our fun Winter EcoAdventurers, a great way to get your kids outdoors and away from their screens!🙂 https://www.abnc.org/reconnect-with-nature
Armand Bayou’s EcoAfternoons class had some fun with a camping adventure.
Our EcoAfternoons class had a great time practicing camping skills yesterday. Setting up tents, fire building, roasting marshmallows, rolling sleeping bags and doing team building exercises.
Preserving the coastal tallgrass prairie, a 2,500 acre haven for wildlife and native plants at Armand Bayou.
Buck saunters through our coastal tallgrass prairie. As part of our 2,500 acre nature preserve, ABNC meticulously restores and conserves 900 acres of coastal tall-grass prairie. This remnant of historic prairie supports a huge diversity of plants and animals. These native plants and grasses provide critical breeding, nursery, feeding and cover habitat for prairie-dependent wildlife. Photo courtesy of Gary Seloff
Unleash your child’s inner EcoExplorer during this Winter Break at Armand Bayou Nature Center.
Winter Break EcoExplorers are for kids 4 to 11 years old. Cool topics include The Secret Life of Mammals like skunks, opossums, bats and bobcats. Radical Reptiles like alligators, snakes and turtles and last but not least Fantasy Animals, Dragons and Dinosaurs, Mermaids and fish. Learn more and book at abnc.org/winter-ecoexplorers
Armand Bayou conserving coastal prairies and helping to protect the unique Northern Harrier.
Northern Harriers are the only harriers found in North America. They hunt by surprising prey while flying low to the ground in open areas, such as the one seen over our prairie recently. They have an owl-like facial disk that allows them to hunt by sound as well as by sight. males and females are dimorphic meaning they differ in color so the male is also called gray ghost. All northern harriers have that white rump patch. Northern Harrier numbers appear to be declining in North America because of the loss of natural open habitats which is why it’s extremely crucial to conserve coastal prairies like ours. Up to 95% of their diet comprises small mammals such as rodents, and is why farmers often saw them as good hawks because they pose no threat to poultry. Photo courtesy of Gary Seloff
Get Ready for Christmas by the Bayou to welcome Santa at Armand Bayou Nature Center today 10-3pm.
We’re getting ready for a special visitor tomorrow at Armand Bayou Nature Center. Join us for Christmas by the Bayou to take pictures with Santa, meet our friendly elves, Paint Tree Cookies, and shop our General Store full of homemade crafts, handmade jellies & baked goodies. Learn more and book at abnc.org/christmas-bayou.
Cooper’s hawk with colorful eyes and distinct calls hanging around at Armand Bayou Nature Center.
One interesting fact about a Cooper’s hawk, their eyes change colors, chicks will usually hatch with yellow-green eyes that slowly turn orange and then red when they get older. Sharp-shinned hawk and Cooper’s hawks look a lot alike even for seasoned birders. A Cooper’s hawk is about the size of a crow whereas a sharp-shinned hawk is the size of a blue jay or dove. Their calls can be very distinct as well. If you listen closely, a Sharp Shinned Hawk will sound higher pitched, whereas a Cooper’s Hawk is lower and sounds like “kak-kak-kak” or a laugh instead of high pitched “kik-kik-kik.”
Photo taken by Gary Seloff
Armand Bayou Nature Center is your go-to spot for eco-friendly holiday gifts.
If you’re looking for a unique eco-friendly gift this holiday season, consider giving ABNC Memberships and Gift Cards. For fun nature inspired gifts you can wrap, visit ABNC’s Gift Store in our admissions building. https://www.abnc.org/green-gifts
The remarkable role of Blue Jays in Oak Tree expansion and how they can start a forest.
Blue jays have been found to cache somewhere between 3,000-5,000 acorns each in one fall and will bury seeds up to 2 ½ miles from their original source; they can start a forest in their lifetime. Because of the birds’ habit of burying acorns over a wide area, 11 species of oak trees have become dependent on them for the dispersal of their acorns. It is thought that Blue Jays are the reason oak trees spread north so rapidly after the last glacial period. Video by Stacy Holcomb
Reconnect with nature and family this Thanksgiving break at Armand Bayou. They got it all.
Reconnect with your family and nature this Thanksgiving break at ABNC. Try a Kayak Tour, Pontoon Cruise, Night Hike, or fun Holiday Paint by Nature. And don’t miss Texas Recycles Days which will include fun demos and free Bayou Safari Tours. Learn more at https://www.abnc.org/reconnect-with-nature
TPC Group’s Annual Charity Golf Tournament wrote a check to Armond Bayou’s Animal Ambassadors Program.
This #thankfulThursday we are truly grateful to TPC Group for choosing ABNC as a beneficiary of their Annual Charity Golf Tournament again this year. Thank you, your support this year helped us to build outdoor habitats for our rescued animal ambassadors including a skunk, opossum, Texas tortoises and box turtles! The goal of our animal ambassadors program is to educate people of all ages about the importance of protecting wildlife for the health and sustainability of our local ecosystems, biodiversity, and communities.
How restoration efforts at Armand Bayou brought least bitterns back to the bayou.
There was a time in Armand bayou when there were no bullrush grasses and because of that, there was also no least bittern. Through the hard efforts of people like Mark Kramer who created the bullrush bomb (he engineered a system where clumps of California bullrush roots, held together by chicken wire and weighted down) and the efforts of many hard working volunteers, we can now see the fruits of their labor like this beautiful least bittern which are now frequently seen on the bayou. Least bitterns have not only come back, they are nesting and thriving as proof of the successful restoration and conservation efforts. This photo is of a female least bittern that is in bullrush snagging minnows called gulf menhaden.
https://www.abnc.org/nature-blog/avian-acrobat
Photo courtesy of Gary Seloff .
Explore with Winter Break in Armand Bayou’s EcoExplorers, a journey into the secret lives of animals.
Winter Break EcoExplorers are for kids 4 to 11 years old. Cool topics include The Secret Life of Mammals like skunks, opossums, bats and bobcats. Radical Reptiles like alligators, snakes and turtles and last but not least Fantasy Animals, Dragons and Dinosaurs, Mermaids and fish. Learn more and book at abnc.org/winter-ecoexplorers.
Armand Bayou get a hook up from The Garden Club of Houston with a generous binocular grant.
The Garden Club of Houston was here checking out our new sets of Binoculars. We are truly grateful to them for the grant they awarded to purchase the Binoculars, and we are very thankful to our amazing volunteer GEM crew for installing them at the Rotary Pond and Prairie Platform. The stand-alone binoculars provide ABNC visitors with the ability to see details they would otherwise miss while viewing wildlife and our restored native prairie.
Disappointment in the forecast, Armand Bayou’s Fall Festival is cancelled.
Us when we saw the weather forecast for this weekend. Photo courtesy of Gary Seloff. Like many of you we are also very disappointed that our annual Fall Festival is not happening this year. Thank you for your patience and understanding. We’re unable to reschedule the festival, but we are planning some fun activities and events for Thanksgiving break, so please stay tuned for details coming over the next week.
League City Intermediate students give back to the community at Armand Bayou’s Annual Fall Festival.
In preparation for ABNC’s upcoming Annual Fall Festival, students in Ms. Fahey’s class “The Gift of Giving”, cleaned the Hanson Farmhouse, the hay barn, pole barn, milking shed for aquatic supplies and also washed windows in our Environmental Learning Center. These amazing kids from League City Intermediate School make a practice of cheerfully giving back to the community. Thank you to the students, teachers and chaperones for helping out on a very cold day! #thankyou #ThankfulThursday #grateful
The majestic brown pelican is a conservation success story of overcoming extinction at Armand Bayou and the coast.
The majestic brown pelican is a success story of what can happen when people come together to help bring a species back from near extinction. The chemical DDT, banned in 1972, nearly wiped them out along with many other species of animals that are now frequently seen along the Gulf Coast and at Armand Bayou thanks to successful conservation efforts. In 2009 they were taken off the endangered species list. To learn more check out our Pelicans and Pirates Pontoon or Kayak tours happening this weekend.
Photo of colorful adult and darker juvenile brown pelican along with a red-breasted merganser taken by Stacy Holcomb
Pelicans and pirates, explore Armand Bayou’s waters on a pontoon or kayak tour.
Pelicans preening for our Pelicans and Pirates Pontoon and Kayak tours tonight and tomorrow. Don’t miss these limited time events exploring the historic back water of Galveston Bay. https://www.abnc.org/reconnect-with-nature Photo by Gary Seloff
Explore the outdoors with Armand Bayou’s EcoPrograms. A hands-on learning experience for children.
EcoPrograms are designed to give children hands-on learning experiences in ecology, biology, and more. Some upcoming classes are bison, seeds, farmhouse fun and more! Learn more and register at abnc.org/eco-programs
Armand Bayou’s Creepy Crawlers night with hiking, bat calling, and baby gators.
Last night’s Creepy Crawlers was a blast! Hiking under the full harvest moon, bat calling, meeting baby gators and other creatures. Thank you to all of our guests, volunteers and staff for making this such a fun event!
Armand Bayou volunteers and generous sponsors turned it up for the Prairie Pandemonium.
We are truly grateful for all of the amazing volunteers who came out on Saturday for Prairie Pandemonium to plant over 3,000 native tallgrass prairie plants. We also want to thank our generous sponsors whose support made this important 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! Please support these businesses and organizations to show gratitude for their support of Prairie Pandemonium and ABNC’s conservation efforts.
Gulf pipefish and juvenile bald eagle observed during ABNC Bayou Lab Class last week.
During an ABNC Bayou Lab class with San Jacinto College last week, we caught and released a beautiful gulf pipefish. It is a member of the pipefish and seahorse family. Males possess a deep ventral pouch for incubating eggs and developing embryos. The Gulf pipefish is a marine species that inhabits a variety of freshwater habitats including bayous, creeks and rivers. We also saw a juvenile bald eagle. Photos by Stacy Holcomb
Amazing volunteer groups transformed Armand Bayou for Creepy Crawlers coming soon.
We are grateful for all of the amazing volunteer service groups this week who have helped us with several important projects! Celanese Corporation brought Halloween decorations and helped to decorate for our upcoming Creepy Crawlers. The Texas Conservation Corps a Program of American YouthWorks has been working hard to help with important trail maintenance.
Birding Armand Bayou’s monthly count reveals 46 bird species, including rare limpkin sighting.
Last Saturday Birding Armand Bayou held their monthly bird count at ABNC, they counted 46 species of birds and wouldn’t you know it, a limpkin was spotted the next day. Limpkins have only been found in Florida, but for the past few years or so they have been spreading throughout parts of the US mainly because of invasive apple snails. They also eat freshwater mussels like the ones we have in May’s Pond. Photo courtesy of Stacy Holcomb
Armand Bayou’s Winter EcoExplorers learn the secret life of mammals, radical reptiles, and fantasy animals for fun and learning.
This winter break your kids could be EcoExplorers, learning about The Secret Life of Mammals, Radical Reptiles, and Fantasy Animals. Our Winter EcoExplorers blend nature exploration with active outdoor experiences under the guidance of knowledgeable camp counselors. #stemkids #wintercamp #STEM #outdoorfun
Energy Institute High School students embarked on a day of adventure and learning at Armand Bayou Nature Center.
The Energy Institute High School field trip was a blast! Everyone had so much fun! We connected with nature by hiking through the riparian forest to Armand Bayou, dip-netted in the freshwater pond, caught butterflies and insects while prairie sweeping, met some prairie ambassador bison and learned about local reptiles and mammals.
Dragonfly dominance, an unusual sight Armand Bayou as dragonflies outnumber birds.
Last week there were far more dragonflies than birds on the Bayou, hundreds mostly like these pairs. The female green darner alighted on a reed stalk to deposit eggs in the shallow, still water of a small lagoon while the male, attached to the back of her head, remains airborne in case they need to make a quick escape. Another pair of green darners, very attached to each other, launches after depositing eggs in floating vegetation on ABNC’s Bayou. Info and photos courtesy of Gary Seloff.
Armand Bayou getting down to the importance of Transect Monitoring with Diane Humes and dedicated volunteers in their prairie conservation efforts
We are truly thankful to Diane Humes for sharing her expertise during our recent Transect Monitor training! We are also very grateful to our dedicated volunteers who help us evaluate the success of our preservation efforts through transect monitoring of ABNC’s prairie. Volunteers count the number and diversity of the plants at various data collection points on the prairie and record them in a log with more than 20 years of data. ABNC’s stewardship team uses this crucial data to determine what should be planted in various sections of the prairie and what invasive plant species need to be eradicated.
Video: Armand Bayou’s ambassador opossum chowing down.
It’s feeding time for Alice, ABNC’s ambassador opossum. She has limited vision and would not survive in the wild. Opossums are North America’s only marsupial. Areas with large opossums populations have less Lyme disease because they just love eating ticks.
Educational Science Methods teacher workshop explored at Armand Bayou and spotting bald eagles.
We had a great time with the Science Methods teacher workshop on Friday. While out on the pontoon, they even saw a pair of bald eagles! ABNC is a certified site for the State Board of Education Credit hours. We love teaching teachers and offer several fun and educational ways for teachers to earn their SBEC hours. https://www.abnc.org/sbec-for-teachers
Discover the wonders of bats at an Armand Bayou bat hike and witness nature’s night flyers.
More agile in flight than most birds and important pollinators, bats are so much more than just a spooky Halloween prop! These intriguing mammals are critical to our ecosystem and biodiversity. You can learn more and see bats in the wild on an ABNC Bat Hike! https://www.abnc.org/bat-hikes
Photo courtesy of Gary Seloff
Experience the beauty of Armond Bayou this fall with pontoon cruises and kayak tours.
Fall is an amazing time to explore the bayou! Try a Pontoon Cruise or Kayak Tour! What will your view be this weekend? https://www.abnc.org/reconnect-with-nature
Photos Courtesy of Tyson Vodochodsky
Video: The alligator high walk, a unique adaptation by alligators.
When an alligator walks on all fours without its stomach touching the ground it is called a high walk. This alligator has made an alligator hole near our Rotary Pond, they do this for nests and also do this in areas where the water level fluctuates like during this drought. Alligators dig themselves into hollows in the mud, which fill with water to cool themselves and help regulate body temperatures. Video courtesy of Tyson Vodochodsky.
Armand Bayou Nature Center is connecting families with nature on a whole new level.
Give your kids extra time in nature with our all new EcoAfternoons, an extension of kids EcoPrograms. And now EcoParents can experience their very own fun eco-exploration while their kids attend their own EcoPrograms. Fun topics include Bayou Safari, Meet the Keeper and more. Learn how you and your kids can reconnect with nature on a whole new level. https://www.abnc.org/ecoeducation
Discover the exciting world of Armand Bayou EcoPrograms, STEM education for tots to teens.
ABNC EcoPrograms are small groups led by biologists, certified teachers and trained naturalists for tots to teens. Pick the topic of your choice, sign up for one week or many. Some fun upcoming eco topics are quail, turtles and tortoises, Fall colors, warm and cold blooded creatures, opossums and trees. https://www.abnc.org/eco-programs
Photos courtesy of Gary Seloff and Stacy Holcomb
Video: Mesmerizing nocturnal black-bellied whistling ducks at Armand Bayou.
Black-Bellied Whistling Ducks out on Armand Bayou.They are both diurnal and nocturnal which they prefer eating at night. Video courtesy of Stacy Holcomb
Step back in time and explore Armand Bayou’s 1890s farm and experience pioneer life.
Take a step back in time with ABNC’s farm demos today. Experience our authentic 1890s farm site and glimpse pioneer life September 10th from 1pm-3:30pm, included with regular admission!
Photo courtesy of Tyson Vodochodsky
Drought at Armand Bayou’s Rotary Pond has brought out the frogs.
The water in our Rotary Pond has receded this summer due to the drought, but look what we found along the edge where the water once was. How many frogs can you count? #FindItFriday #drought #puzzles #frogs
Armand Bayou scored a cool $100,000 from Chevron.
Thank you Jennifer Silva from the Chevron Pasadena Refinery for stopping by to check out the early work on our Renewal 2024 Welcome Center Exhibits and drop off a $50,000 check to sponsor the Conservation Exhibit. Chevron Corporate is also generously sponsoring the History Exhibit with an additional $50,000 donation. We are truly grateful for Chevron’s generous support and their amazing partnership!
Diving from the sky, the fascinating world of brown pelicans.
The brown pelicans are found along the coasts of North America, including the Gulf Coasts of Texas. They were once endangered due to the harmful pesticide DDT but have made a successful recovery and have been removed from the Endangered Species List. These magnificent birds have the ability to dive from an impressive height of 100 feet in the air. When they come together in a group, they are known as a pod, a pouch, a scoop, a squadron, or a fleet if they are fishing. Brown pelicans are a fascinating species worth observing for any bird enthusiast.
Experience the ultimate bayou adventure with Bayou Safari Tours at Armand Bayou Nature Center.
Bayou Safari Tours are back! Leisurely discover ABNC on our stretch electric vehicle with stops at the bison, 1890s farm area, prairie, animal exhibits and bayou. Finish the tour observing wildlife from our elevated Discovery Loop boardwalk. September 9 & 17, October 14 & 22. Registration is required https://www.abnc.org/bayou-safari
If you’re a teacher, have fun and earn SBEC credits! Let us know when you book, and you can receive 2 SBEC credit hours.
#connectwithnature🍃🌸 #thingstodoinhouston
ABNC is open on Labor Day 9-4pm.
Hold that thought! ABNC is open Labor Day September 4th from 9am to 5pm (last entry at 4pm). Photo courtesy of Gary Seloff
ABNC will be open on Labor Day, September 4th, from 9am to 5pm, with the last entry allowed at 4pm. This information was shared along with a photo credited to Gary Seloff.
Armand Bayou Nature Center
Armand Bayou bringing in some facts about how white-tail survive extreme heat without sweat glands.
The way white-tail deer deal with this extreme heat, is they find shade and decrease movement in the heat of the day. They do not have sweat glands. The term for being most active at dawn and dusk is crepuscular.
Photo Courtesy of Gene Fisseler
Escape the heat and explore nature at Armand Bayou with Paint by Nature or embark on exciting kayak adventures and night hikes.
For a cool indoor nature experience try a turtley fun Paint by Nature workshop. Or beat the heat with a Morning Pontoon Cruise, Early Bird Kayak Tour, or try a Night Hike! We are also open on Labor Day for extra time to reconnect with nature. abnc.org
Join Armand Bayou for a week or more to immerse yourself in their exciting EcoProgram adventures.
ABNC EcoPrograms are led by small groups of biologists, certified teachers and trained naturalists for tots to teens. Pick the topic of your choice, sign up for one week or many. Some fun upcoming eco topics are fish, snail, turtle and crawfish.
Photos courtesy of Tyson VodochodskyGet an early bird Armand Bayou guided kayak tour on September 3rd and 9th and witness the start of a breathtaking wildlife day.
Our Special Early Bird Guided Kayak Tours on September 3rd and 9th will offer a unique chance to see birds, reptiles, and deer starting their day at the water’s edge. https://www.abnc.org/kayak-tours
Photo of Kayaks on Armand Bayou courtesy of Tyson Vodochodsky
Armand Bayou Promoted Sydni Spencer to Education Programs Coordinator. Congratulations!
Sydni Spencer has been with ABNC as an Environmental Educator and Camp Counselor for over two years and we’re excited to announce she will be our new Education Programs Coordinator. Previously Ms. Spencer was a Naturalist/Interpreter at Moody Gardens in Galveston. She is a graduate of the College of The Mainland and a local resident. In addition to her love of the outdoors, she provides love and care for several furry friends and plants and continues to pursue her hobby of creating outstanding art. Ms. Spencer will continue to teach our weekday children’s programs and field trips.
REI Baybrook the greenhouse heroes, keeping Armand Bayou’s native plant nursery cool.
Thank you REI Baybrook for working on greenhouse maintenance and for helping to keep our native plant nursery cool by helping install new ceiling fans!
Take your Scouts to new heights at Armand Bayou’s badge workshops.
Get your Scouts out and about! Check out our available Badge workshops. https://www.abnc.org/scouting-programs
Gary Seloff shares amazing photos at Armand Bayou to celebrate World Photography Day.
Come on out, bring your camera and celebrate World Photography Day. Thank you Gary Seloff for sharing these amazing photos!
Armand Bayou Nature Center wildlifephotography,naturephotos,wordphotographyday
Join Armand Bayou’s Wildlife Painting Workshops at any skill set.
Reconnect with nature while painting ABNC wildlife! New Topics Every Month. All skill levels are welcome for these fun filled workshops. Paintings featured here painted by our Paint by Nature leader Jessica Lamb.
Journey of the Monarchs: Armand Bayou Associate Environmental Steward Wren, explores a waystation for the Monarchs.
Our new Associate Environmental Steward, Wren Bradley, attended a Monarch Waystation dedication ceremony. The waystation was made possible by Clear Lake Chapter – Native Plant Society of Texas, Texas Department of Transportation, and Port Houston. Check it out on Shoreacres Blvd at SH 146 to learn about the Monarch life cycle and how the waystation provides their needs as they migrate from Mexico to Canada and back. It is especially important to have these pockets of protection in urban areas to help our migratory friends! ABNC’s restored tall-grass prairie is also a certified Monarch Waystation!
Wren is super excited to fulfill the stewardship mission to take care of the three ecoregions ABNC protects. Come be a part of ABNC’s mission by volunteering on our Prairie Fridays and Stewardship Saturdays.
Armand Bayou Nature Center
monarchbutterflies,conservationmatters,Conservation
Armand Bayou volunteer Mr Woods explores the surprising connection between coffee and buttonbush.
Check out the latest blog post by ABNC volunteer David Ozro Woods to learn what coffee has in common with buttonbush, and how you can celebrate local plants and pollinators this Fall.
The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center’s Field Notes Symposium will feature Armand Bayou Stewardship’s Derek Sanford. Congratulations!
We’re happy to be part of Houston Arboretum & Nature Center’s Field Notes, sharing with our friends in ecological restoration. ABNC Stewardship’s Derek Sanford will be at the symposium discussing our restoration/management successes of Native Planting projects.
Field Notes Symposium – Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Birding Armand Bayou had an incredible morning, discovering 43 unique bird species.
Birding Armand Bayou spotted 43 different species of birds, including a black tern, Swainson’s hawk, and Mississippi kite.
Armand Bayou Nature Center
birding,birdwatching
Majestic 12 foot bull alligator graces Horsepen Bayou at Armand Bayou Nature Center.
Smile it’s Friday! 12-foot bull alligator on ABNC’s Horsepen Bayou.
Photo courtesy of Gary Seloff
Armand Bayou’s Volunteer Coordinator, Jessica Lamb, is an exceptional artist who combines her love for nature and artistic talents.
ABNC’s multi-talented Volunteer Coordinator, Jessica Lamb is also a gifted artist! Combining her love for nature and art, she skillfully guides our Paint by Nature workshops. In these fun workshops you can
learn about and paint ABNC wildlife! Beginners and hobbyists are welcome! Upcoming topics include turtles, owls, bats, squirrels, cardinals!https://www.abnc.org/paint-by-nature
Exploring Armand Bayou, 4-H leaders take on an adventure packed with wildlife and conservation insights.
We took 15 4-H leaders on a guided kayak tour of ABNC’s bayou! It was warm, but we had fun seeing all sorts of wildlife. Did you know: during droughts, our normally brackish water can get just as salty as Galveston bay! This actually helps get rid of invasive species like tilapia and water hyacinth.
Armand Bayou Nature Center 4h,conservation,wildlife,kayaking
The Armand Bayou Summer EcoCamp wrapped up with everlasting memories and 1st catches.
Last week saw the close of another successful ABNC Summer EcoCamp! Our campers had a blast fishing and many kids were excited to catch their first fish!
Armand Bayou Nature Center fishing,fistfish,summercamps,kidsactivities
Wild baby wood ducks and their sneaky camouflage tactics for survival.
These baby wood ducks are zooming to safety! The reeds on the shore of Horsepen bayou provide camouflage and help the ducks hide from predators. Wild ducks, unlike their city-dwelling counterparts, are very cautious and are easily startled into zooming away. Photo courtesy of Gary Seloff
Discover the Fascinating World of Turtles and Tortoises at Armand Bayou and paint one at Paint by Nature Workshop.
At ABNC, you can see gopher tortoises, box turtles, and more! Embrace your creativity and learn about them with ABNC’s paint by nature on August 6th! (Spend time reconnecting with nature indoors!) Our skilled instructor will guide you in painting your very own turtle or tortoise, and at the end of the workshop you’ll have your own painting to take home! Registration required https://www.abnc.org/paint-by-nature
Fishing Tuesday at Armand Bayou EcoCamps with the young ones making memories.
Today was Fishing Tuesday at ABNC EcoCamps. 2 first fish certificates were issued today! Photos courtesy of Heather Millar