About
What Is It?
A conservation, education, and advocacy organization that focuses on protecting the natural environment for birds and people. It owns and manages 17 nature sanctuaries to protect habitat for birds and to give people recreational opportunities in nature.
Help Needed:
Trail maintenance, invasive species removal, filling bird feeders and baths, litter pick-up, native gardening, and other habitat improvement projects. Please contact Houston Audubon for COVID-related updates.
Details
Minimum Age to Volunteer
Varies. For most events, everyone is welcome, but volunteers under 14 must to attend with a parent or other adult. Volunteers must be 15 to work on trails.
Time Commitment
Varies. Half day projects take 3-4 hours. Whole day projects take 6-8 hours.
Suitable for Groups of Volunteers?
Yes. “Schools, churches, scout troops, corporations, and community agencies are key partners in achieving our mission of conservation and habitat protection. If you are interested in your group working with us, please complete a group volunteer request form. Volunteer Manager Lauren Miheli will contact you after your request is received. Generally, two months lead time and funding support are needed to develop a project. Note: Small groups and families are also welcome to join us for our regularly scheduled work parties.”
Training Needed
None.
Help Needed
ONGOING COMMUNITY WORK PARTIES
Trail maintenance, filling bird feeders and baths, litter pick-up, native gardening, and invasive species removal. Pre-COVID, the work party schedules are:
High Island Sanctuary, mornings on 2nd Saturdays, October to March, 8:30 AM – 1 PM.
Raptor and Education Center at Sims Bayou, mornings on 3rd Saturdays, September to May, 9 AM -Noon.
Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary, mornings on 4th Saturdays, September – April (3rd Saturday in Nov. and Dec.), 9 AM – Noon.
COASTAL TRASH PICKUP DAYS
These are occasional outings to pick up trash, fishing line, and other items that endanger local wildlife at High Island, Bolivar Flats, and other areas. Gloves, trash grabbers, bags, and drinking water are provided. Please wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes or boots that can get muddy or wet.
GROW OUT NATIVE PLANTS FOR PRAIRIE RESTORATION
Houston Audubon wants to restore more coastal prairie, but needs more native plants that are specific to the Upper Texas Coast. It collects native seed all summer and fall and is asking volunteers to grow the seed at home for restoration projects.
You will receive full instructions on growing native plants from seeds. “Once your plants are hardy enough to bump-up to 4″ or 1-gallon containers, you can join us at a potting-up work day, or drop off the seedlings and we will do the rest. The plants will be used in one of our many restoration projects.” More details are here.
CITIZEN SCIENCE – BIRD SURVEYS
“If you’re new to birding and want to learn more, this is a great way to get involved! Contribute to a body of knowledge that will help researchers and bird conservationists with their work for years to come by participating in a bird survey. For more information check out this page listing all of the bird surveys around greater Houston.”
Contact Details
Contact
Lauren Miheli, Volunteer Coordinator
Email: lmiheli@houstonaudubon.org
Phone: (713) 932-1639 ext.102
The Houston Audubon volunteer page is here.
Website
https://houstonaudubon.org/Location
HOUSTON AUDUBON
Houston, Texas 77079
Location Details
Houston, Texas 77079
Houston Audubon’s headquarters are in the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary on Wilchester Boulevard (a 17.5-acre wooded preserve along Rummel Creek in West Houston), but it owns 16 other sanctuaries in the region, too.
Clean-ups and other projects may take place at Bolivar Flats, High Island, and other sanctuaries.
Additional Information
Examples of past Scout projects
Eagle: Caleb W. planted 35 new native trees and shrubs, as well as removing invasive weeds and grooming trails. (2020)
Conservation hours for Life Rank: Aahil helped at the Raptor and Education Center, moving storm debris, mowing, and learning to cut wooden boards for use in the aviaries. (2020)
Eagle: Abel J. (Troop 731) constructed a chimney swift tower in Sugar Land.
Eagle: Josh C. deepened areas of the main pond at the Edith Moore Sanctuary to make it a more suitable habitat for aquatic wildlife, and planted native cat tails to provide food, shelter, and oxygen for the wildlife. (2018)
Eagle: Leo B. (Troop 652) replaced the steps and wheelchair ramp at the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary cabin. (2018)
Eagle: JP P. installed electric fencing at a key nesting area at the Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary to keep predators away from endangered Least Terns and their chicks. (2018)
Eagle: Zayd L. built a miniature house (playhouse) at the Sims Bayou Urban Nature Center that is used to educate visitors about how to make their homes more eco-friendly. (2017)
Eagle: Jonathan V. (Troop 1190) designed and built an aviary for pigeons for the Sims Bayou Nature Preserve. (2012)
Gallery
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