A Legacy Takes Flight: Tom Maddux and Peach Creek Woods

When Tom Maddux purchased 128 acres on upper Peach Creek in 1992, maybe he thought, “this place is for the birds.” Tom named the Montgomery County tract Peach Creek Woods. Dense with native hardwoods and pines, the land was undeveloped. And, importantly, located smack in the Central Flyway and upper Gulf Coast region that millions of migratory birds depend on. For Tom, bequeathing the land to Houston Audubon was never a matter of if, only of when. The youngest of seven, Tom grew up around the areas of Mingus and Strawn, TX. Exploring the caves and limestone hills in the Western Cross Timbers region of the Palo Pinto Mountains was formative for a future conservationist.

His love of land stewardship continued as the driving motivation of his adulthood. Protecting nature for coming generations to enjoy was Tom’s lifelong goal. He found fulfillment in conservation work in both Texas and Colorado, including extensive efforts at the Marysee Prairie in the Big Thicket, for which he was called “a paragon of dedication to Texas nature.” And though Tom loved the prairie, his beloved Peach Creek Woods was a private sanctuary he could enjoy alone or with friends and family. He often hosted guests for “sand pedicures” in the creek and plant identification hikes.

As Tom’s health failed, he worked with nephew Jim Maddux to accomplish his dream of leaving a conservation legacy. Says Jim, “When Tom asked me to be his executor, I was honored to make his wishes reality. His love of nature, travel and experiencing the natural world was infectious.” A lifelong bachelor, Tom considered his nieces and nephews his children. At his memorial they shared memories of how Tom shaped their own views and love of nature. They are thrilled that Tom’s dream continues with his beloved woods becoming Houston Audubon’s eighteenth sanctuary.

This story was featured in the 2026 edition of The Warbler, Houston Audubon’s Annual Spring Recap. Read it here.