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!

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Kathrine (Kathy) G. McGovern. Houston Audubon has lost a dear friend, fellow champion of bird conservation, and longtime generous supporter.

Audubon Texas is excited to announce the 2023 honorees of the Terry Hershey Award, as part of the Texas Women in Conservation Program. The honorees include Helen Drummond of the Houston Audubon Society and Virginia Rose of Birdability, as well as posthumous awards for Cecil Seixas and Estelle Hertford, both of Galveston. Audubon’s Texas Women in Conservation Program debuted in 2015 to honor the role women play in the conservation field and to provide opportunities for high school students to become inspired and involved in environmental science. This year’s honorees are a unique representation of the past, present, and future legacy of Audubon Texas, Audubon chapters, and community partners — a fitting tribute as the organization celebrates its centennial year of coastal protection activities.

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’s Bird-Friendly Spaces Program recognizes individuals taking actions to make Houston a wildlife-friendly city by creating inviting habitat, limiting threats to birds and connecting with the community. Houston Audubon is calling on every Houstonian to help preserve nature in our city, for the love of wildlife and for the overall quality of life of current and future Houstonians.

For the second year in a row, Monty the “celebrity” Piping Plover was spotted at Houston Audubon’s Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary by the NYC Plover Project!

On November 19, 2021, Houston Audubon’s Executive Director, Helen E. Drummond, received the Women in Coastal Conservation Award at Artist Boat’s Float the Boat fundraising dinner series. Drummond was one of the four exceptional women honored for their contributions towards coastal conservation, advocacy, restoration, and leadership.

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.

This link is to an Instagram post about the fishing line that entangled a While Pelican. Pulled two hooks and untangled a giant weight. The video only shows the aftermath of the wrestling match unfortunately. Needed both hands and both knees to do the dirty work. Hoping the bird was able to recover and rejoin the squadron!

Monday, August 30, 2021 was our monthly survey at Fiorenza Park. We saw very few passerines but hundreds of cormorants on nests and lots of water birds including the ol’ pelican with one wing who has been there for years. I was wondering about birds blown over by the hurricane before we started and we did get great looks at a Magnificent Frigatebird soaring with two Mississippi Kites.

HOUSTON, TX – April 09, 2021 – Mayor Sylvester Turner has proclaimed April 19 - May 7, 2021 “Lights Out Nights” in Houston, encouraging all businesses, residents, and building managers to turn off non-essential exterior lighting from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. during the period of peak migration for birds through Texas.

3/8/2021- High Island, TX- Houston Audubon along with Mrs. Kathrine McGovern officially opened the highly anticipated canopy walkway at Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary in High Island with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, March 04, 2021. The Kathrine G. McGovern Canopy Walkway, an elevated viewing experience through the forest canopy and sub-canopy, is designed to complement the natural backdrop and setting of the sanctuary and is now open to the public.

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.

Houston Audubon is excited to announce a new environmental partnership with Entergy Texas. Houston Audubon was awarded an environmental grant from Entergy Texas to build the new Entergy Coastal Natives Nursery at the Hulsey Coastal Operations Center in High Island.

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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Houston Audubon recently responded to the US Army Corps of Engineers regarding the Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries Resiliency Study. In the letter, we express concerns about the long-term ecological effects the project will have on the ecosystem and habitat, which is critical to thousands of resident, nesting, and migrating birds.