Houston Audubon is a chapter of National Audubon Society in an assigned 11-county area surrounding and including Houston. Its mission is to promote the conservation and appreciation of birds and wildlife habitat, which it accomplishes through acquiring and maintaining critical habitat as bird sanctuaries, education programs for children and adults, advocacy efforts, and land conservation projects. Its activities extend beyond Houston and its surrounding counties when necessary to accomplish a conservation purpose.

The Rookery at Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary
in High Island © Kathy Adams Clark

In September, 2009, Houston Audubon celebrated its 40th anniversary in conservation. On September 24, 1969, The Houston Audubon Society was formed by a dedicated group of eighteen men and women who saw the need for environmental education for youth and environmental advocacy for wildlife habitat. Today, Houston Audubon operates basically on the same values and purposes established by its founding fathers which were: to promote educational, scientific, literary, historical, and charitable purposes; to provide education and instruction in natural science through nature walks, field trips, and seminars, both to its members and through programs in the public school system; to create awareness of conservation problems and to explore solutions for said problems; to promote conservation of wildlife and natural resources through education, maintenance and management of sanctuaries and coordinated activity with governmental conservation agencies.

At a Glance

• Mission: Houston Audubon Society promotes the conservation and appreciation of birds and wildlife habitat.
• Headquarters: Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary in West Houston.
• Education Headquarters: Sims Bayou Urban Nature Center in South Houston.
• Sanctuaries: Houston Audubon owns 17 sanctuaries in five counties totaling 3,373 acres, including the internationally known High Island and Bolivar Flats sanctuaries.
• Counties assigned to Houston Audubon: Brazoria, Chambers, Ft. Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Waller, Washington, and Wharton.
• Membership Information