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About

History

On September 24, 1969, Houston Audubon 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:

  • promote educational, scientific, literary, historical, and charitable purposes
  • 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
  • promote conservation of wildlife and natural resources through education, maintenance and management of sanctuaries and coordinated activity with governmental conservation agencies.

Timeline

  • Houston Audubon Society incorporated. For details, see 40th Anniversary article in the Sep/Oct 2009 issue of The Naturalist.

  • Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary established.

  • Houston Audubon establishes North Deer Island sanctuary with initial 7-acre donation.

  • Boy Scout Woods: initial 4-acre purchase.

  • Damuth Sanctuary: initial donation of 617 acres by Malcolm Damuth.

  • Houston Audubon starts first Backyard Bird Survey.

  • Smith Oaks: Smith homestead purchased.

  • Winters Bayou Sanctuary: initial donation of 131 acres.

  • High Island Patch: first High Island patch was issued, with the design by David Elliott.

  • NARBA: initial acquisition of North American Rare Bird Alert.
    Texas Rare Bird Alert: Houston Audubon begins sponsorship.

  • 1990

    Houston Audubon in partnership with the USFWS creates the Coastal Prairie Project to identify all remnant prairies in the area.

  • Smith Oaks: Smith homestead purchased.

  • High Island: High Island Initiative formed.

  • Boy Scout Woods: dedication of Bessie's Pond in honor of Bessie Cornelius.

  • High Island: Amoco donates 165 acres at Smith Oaks, Boy Scout Woods, S.E. Gast Red Bay Sanctuary.

  • Smith Oaks: Houston Audubon purchases Tank Farm Tract (21 acres).

  • Bolivar Flats: established with purchase of 178 acres and donation of 353 acres.

  • Carolyn Raizes Davis: sanctuary established with initial donation from Scott Davis.

  • 1999

    First Internet website for Houston Audubon established on the Houston Educational and Research Network.

  • Bolivar Flats: purchase of 615 additional acres.

  • Dos Vacas Muertas: sanctuary established with 63-acre donation.

  • 2001

    Evia Island: Houston Audubon and Audubon Texas take over management.

  • 2002

    Urban Conservation Treaty for Migratory Birds: Houston Audubon becomes a partner.

  • Horseshoe Marsh: established with initial purchase of 645 acres.

  • Smith Oaks: Houston Audubon purchases Wiggins Tract (34.5 acres).

  • 2003

    2nd generation Internet website with capability to manage a large amount of content. Hosted by Netsential.

  • Mundy Marsh: initial donation of 368 acres.

  • First year of Houston Bird Survey.

  • Sims Bayou Urban Nature Center: Houston Audubon receives donation of center.

  • 2005

    Houston Audubon publishes A Citizen's Guide to Migration and the Migratory Birds of the Bayou City.

  • 2005

    Columbia Bottomlands: Houston Audubon assists in 729-acre purchase.

  • 2006

    Spring Creek Greenway Project: Houston Audubon donates 11-acre sanctuary to Montgomery Co. for project.

  • 2007

    Columbia Bottomlands: Houston Audubon uses grants from Great Texas Birding Classic to additions to protected habitat.

  • North Deer Island: completion of award-winning erosion control project.

  • 2008

    Whooping Crane Coastal Habitat Protection: Houston Audubon helps raise money for Whooping Crane Habitat Protection Project.

  • 2008

    Pocket Prairies: Houston Audubon works in partnership with the Katy Prairie Conservancy at native plant rescue events.

  • 2009

    Houston Audubon leads the habitat restoration effort on Bolivar Peninsula after the devastation caused by Hurricane Ike. Innovative programs include Trees for Bolivar, debris removal efforts, native plant events, and nest boxes for Purple Martins and Barn Owls.

  • 2014

    Galveston Bay Oil Spill.

  • 2016

    3rd generation Internet website featuring capability for mobile devices. Hosted by Firespring.

Additional Historical Information

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