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.
The new field station is part of a master plan developed by key stakeholders to address the need to enhance stewardship and conservation of critical bird habitat, expand and enhance nature tourism and outdoor recreation opportunities, and build a more resilient nature-based coastal economy. “The Morse Field Station will not only build operational capacity for sanctuary stewardship and visitor services but will also provide new collaborative opportunities in education and research,” says Helen Drummond, Houston Audubon’s Executive Director.
Thanks to a generous lead gift from Sara and Mark Bettencourt, the building is named The Clint and Mary Frances Morse Field Station after Sara’s parents. “We are grateful to Mom and Dad for instilling in our family a sense of marvel, wonder, and pure joy of being in nature. They didn’t set out to teach us about nature but invited us to notice the wonders that are at hand and to really see nature and not just pass by those moments,” says Sara Bettencourt.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on March 25, 2023, with Houston Audubon leaders and field station donors in attendance. Classes and programs are already planned for this spring including a Texas Master Naturalist workshop and birding classes. Check our calendar for upcoming programs.
