Instrumental in establishing Gulf Coast Bird Observatory to address the threat of destructive coastal development and protect stopover habitat for migratory birds in Southeast Texas.
Purchased 615 additional acres for Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary, recognized as site of global significance in Important Bird Areas Program sponsored by the National Audubon Society and BirdLife International, and one of the first 100 Globally Important Bird Areas in the United States by the American Bird Conservancy.
Dos Vacas Muertas Sanctuary on Galveston Island donated to Houston Audubon.
Took over management of Evia Island with Audubon Texas.
Lots on Quintana Island acquired to become Houston Audubon Society Nearctic-Neotropical Bird Sanctuary.
Accepted conservation easement on Quintana Neotropical Sanctuary owned by City of Quintana
Received donation of Sims Bayou Urban Nature Center which becomes center for Houston Audubon education programs.
Assisted in acquisition of 729-acre Columbia Bottomlands tract with USFWS and Trust for Public Land, later added to San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge.
Joy Hester and Mary Anne Weber won the CEC Founders’ Award and Environmental Education Award.
Published A Citizens Guide to Migration and the Migratory Birds of the Bayou City.
Quintana Nearctic-Neotropical Sanctuary and Town of Quintana conservation easement donated to Gulf Coast Bird Observatory.
Great Texas Birding Classic winners pick all three proposed Houston Audubon projects for funding.
Collaborated in effective campaign to restore Texas State Funding for Parks (both state parks and local park grants) which culminated when the Texas Legislature approved 90% of the requested funding.
Completed major erosion control project at the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary.
North Deer Island Protection and Restoration project won Gulf Guardian Award.
Helped raise money for Whooping Crane Habitat Protection Project.
Worked in partnership with the Coastal Prairie Conservancy and other environmental groups to establish pocket prairies across Houston with plants rescued from the Saums Road Prairie.
Led the habitat restoration effort on Bolivar Peninsula after the devastation caused by Hurricane Ike.
Worked to oppose the Trans Texas Corridor and supported the formation of the Neches River NWR
Houston Audubon and its partners were recognized for their eight-year project of protecting North Deer Island, the most important colonial waterbird rookery on the Upper Texas Coast. This coastal award is the only environmental award given by the President of the United States.
Houston Audubon received the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory's 2010 Site Partner Award for its significant contribution to the preservation of migratory bird habitat, meaningful environmental stewardship, and important educational opportunities provided to the public.
Houston Audubon received Mayor’s Proud Partner’s Award for Pocket Prairie Project.
Supported the Texas Container Recycling Initiative.
Party to litigation to protect bird species (Whooping Crane, et. al.) through the “Aransas Project” seeking continued freshwater flows from the Guadalupe River for Aransas Bay.
Advocated for proper siting of wind farms and turbines.
Conducted ‘ Building Lights and Bird Mortality’ pilot study.
To mitigate unfavorable rookery conditions caused by Hurricane Ike and drought of 2010, constructed nesting platforms on Clay Bottom Pond island and pumped millions of gallons of water into the pond to protect breeding bird species from wandering predators.
Participated in fundraising campaign for “Cash for Nash” to help safeguard the Nash and Nowotony Prairies, two coastal remnants adjacent to the Columbia Bottomlands.
Responded to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill by monitoring the Bolivar shoreline and participating in a baseline bird census.
Purchased 11 acres adjacent to Houston Audubon’s Damuth Bird Sanctuary.
Supported Lone Star National Recreation Area designation for the Upper Texas Coast.
Party to the litigation to prevent construction of Grand Parkway Segment E through Katy Prairie for the construction impacts on the land, wetlands and wildlife.
Renovated the historic Edith L Moore Nature Sanctuary log cabin.
Launched new urban conservation program called Bird-Friendly Communities.
Acquired 13 acre out-holding of Horseshoe Marsh securing a public access point from HW 108 (Hudson Tract).
After several years of active advocacy and financial support, Deer Park Prairie, 50 acres of the last known pristine coastal prairie in Harris County was placed under permanent protection.
Completed a multi-partner natural resource conservation and recreation plan for the Bolivar Peninsula called the Bolivar Peninsula Nature Trail.
Houston Audubon was awarded $2.3M--the largest gift in the organization’s history-- to magnify the visitor experience at Smith Oaks Sanctuary. Bathrooms and a raised canopy boardwalk planned.
A Land and Facilities Stewardship Endowment is established
Created two additional rookery islands at Smith Oaks Sanctuary.
Replaced the Rummel Creek bridge at ELMNS with funds from the Fondren Foundation
Purchased the Key Energy Property in High Island; Renamed The CO-OP: Coastal Operations.
Returned access to Winter’s Bayou following Hurricane Harvey and secured a grant to extend trail and build boardwalk.
Completed the Couch boardwalk extension at Boy Scout Woods in High Island.
Completed construction of aviaries at the Houston Audubon Raptor and Education Center at Sims Bayou and opened to the public.
Established the inaugural Young Professionals Advisory Council (YPAC).
Hosted the first-ever Houston Bird Week with conservation partners.
Coordinated a city-wide competition to vote for the official Bird of Houston, which was proclaimed the Yellow-crowned Night Heron by the Mayor’s office.
Implemented dog-free policy at all Houston Audubon sanctuaries.
Celebrated 50 years since inception at annual gala.
