Houston Audubon is honored to announce the establishment of its 18th sanctuary, Peach Creek Woods Nature Sanctuary, located in Montgomery County. This additional protected habitat was made possible through a generous land bequest from the late Thomas Lee Maddux, a dedicated educator and lifelong conservationist who passed away in February 2025.

Houston Audubon is proud to announce the successful completion of its "Save Bolivar" campaign, officially closing on the acquisition of the final 52.53 acre parcel of land required to fully protect the Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary. On January 15, the organization finalized the purchase, bringing the critically important Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary to 1,307.83 acres, ensuring that one of the most ecologically significant coastal habitats in the world is permanently safeguarded from development.

Houston – For the first time in decades, Houston Audubon is making a formal public appeal for significant financial assistance to acquire a critical final piece of land to complete their largest preserve, the Bolivar Flats Bird Sanctuary. $3 million dollars needs to be raised by the end of the year (12/31/25) to purchase the last remaining tract.

Houston Audubon proudly announces the successful closing of a critical $3 million acquisition on Bolivar Peninsula. This purchase of a portion of the former Sanderling Development acreage represents protection of endangered-species habitat that is adjacent to the globally significant Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary, purchased by Houston Audubon in 1997.

Houston Audubon announces the appointment of Jed Aplaca as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective December 30, 2024. This news comes after a four-month long search conducted by a President and CEO Search Committee consisting of 8 board members and volunteers. Jed Aplaca brings extensive experience and a proven track record of success to Houston Audubon. His background in conservation biology and botany aligns perfectly with the organization’s critical land management efforts, particularly in native plant restoration. Jed’s history of successful partnerships with local organizations will bolster Houston Audubon’s community outreach and education programs, both in the community and at our sanctuaries.

After over a year of navigating permitting red-tape, we finally received the green light to update the vehicular barrier at Bolivar Flats, and the first phase of the project is complete just in time for breeding season!

Houston Audubon is excited to announce that the new Clint and Mary Frances Morse Field Station in High Island, Texas is now open!  The new field station will serve as coastal headquarters for the staff and volunteers at High Island, as well as provide facilities for a variety of educational programs, workshops, and scientific research to promote conservation.  This 1,700 sq. ft modern structure will include office space, a large conference room, restrooms, an ample kitchen, storage, and a screened-in porch.

Based on our review of the Environmental Assessment (EA) related to the two proposed Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) in the Gulf of Mexico, insufficient data and analysis were provided to make sound scientific-based comments or decisions regarding the proposed sites. 

Exciting News! In the coming weeks game-changing wildlife conservation legislation—the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act— is expected to be scheduled for a vote in the US House of Representatives and US Senate. We need YOU to help ensure that the Recovering America's Wildlife Act crosses the finish line!

Houston Audubon is excited to announce that the new Entergy Coastal Natives Nursery at the Hulsey Coastal Operations Center in High Island is operational, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on April 12, 2022.  Houston Audubon was awarded an environmental grant from Entergy Texas to build the new nursery, which will provide greater availability and access to native plants critical to birds, bugs, and other native wildlife. Specifically, Houston Audubon will be able to increase its native plant nursery capacity for plant distribution to individuals and organizations in the Gulf Coast region.

Houston Audubon is excited to announce that we have broken ground on the new Clint and Mary Frances Morse Field Station in High Island, Texas.   The new field station will serve as coastal headquarters for the staff and volunteers at High Island, as well as provide facilities for a variety of educational programs, workshops, and scientific research to promote conservation.  This 1700 sq. ft modern structure will include office space, a large conference room, restrooms, an ample kitchen, storage, and a screened-in porch.

In honor of Earth Month, local land trusts are highlighting the work being done to conserve land, strengthen communities, and create a healthier planet. Land trusts have conserved more than 60 million acres of land across the United States. Here in the Gulf Coast region, four land trusts – Bayou Land Conservancy, Galveston Bay Foundation, Houston Audubon, and Katy Prairie Conservancy – are protecting our natural world — our water, wildlife and open space — for all people, forever.

Houston Audubon is excited to announce a second environmental partnership project with Entergy Texas. Houston Audubon was awarded an environmental grant from Entergy Texas to restore habitat and provide new community outreach opportunities at Damuth Bird Sanctuary in Liberty County, Texas.

Houston Audubon is pleased to announce the launch of its new conservation license plate which will raise money to protect birds and their habitat. The plate is sponsored by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and can be put on Texas-registered vehicles, trailers and motorcycles.

We're pleased to announce that Houston Audubon’s Kathrine G. McGovern Canopy Walkway at Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary was selected for a special recognition in the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) annual Parks and Natural Areas Award Program.

Houston Audubon finalized the purchase of two key land transactions at the end of 2020, placing an additional 643 coastal acres under permanent conservation protection.

The Lone Star Coastal Alliance – representing a decade old coalition of local citizens, businesses, governments and non-governmental organizations - welcomes you to visit the Lone Star Coastal region. Experience our expansive and unique mosaic of natural, cultural and historic sites and recreational opportunities along the upper and middle Texas Gulf Coast from the Matagorda Peninsula to the Sabine Pass, all within just an hour or two drive from Houston and the gateway city of Galveston.

Houston Audubon fully supports devising solutions to help mitigate the impacts of storm surge and flooding, but the gate and levee system being proposed by the Corps of Engineers under the Coastal Texas Study raises more concerns than it addresses. Proposed solutions of this magnitude, impact, and expense require exceptional consideration of the long-term effects on our shared natural heritage, values, and nature-based economy.

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You may have heard the great news – Houston is one of the first four cities to receive the Bird City Texas designation! But what does this mean for the city, for Houstonians, and for the wildlife that also calls Houston home? This designation demonstrates that our community cares about birds, habitat, and conservation. To receive the Bird City designation applicants were required to describe what actions they have taken to support birds and wildlife in their cities.

Mural painting underway at the Hulsey Coastal Operations Center (COOP) in High Island. Special thanks to Doug Hiser for this beautiful work of art, and thanks to his Houston Gateway Academy students for their help painting! We can’t wait for y’all to come see it this spring.

See a gallery with more photos showing the completion of the project.

Houston is one of four Texas cities honored with the Bird City designation from Audubon Texas and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s inaugural Bird City Texas certification program. This new, community-focused certification program has been created to help people protect birds and their habitats.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner alongside Houston Audubon’s Executive Director, Helen Drummond, proclaimed the Yellow-crowned Night-Heron as the official Bird of Houston. In an effort to increase awareness of the birds around us, Houston Audubon coordinated the Bird of Houston contest, where Houstonians voted on their favorite local bird through a series of bracket rounds. Over 60 bird species were originally nominated, leading to the final round which pitted the Attwater’s Prairie-Chicken against the Yellow-crowned Night-Heron.