Helping my feathered friends during an unexpected winter freeze

Over the past couple of years, I have been learning more about birds and how to help them (involuntarily, as my sister started working at Houston Audubon and became very interested in birds). I have always had a couple of feeders in the backyard, but I started planting native plants, put out a birdbath, and […]

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Tiny Treasures – under the mower blades!

By Julie d\’Ablaing, Houston Audubon Natives Nursery Volunteer As we are both educated and encouraged to increase the diversity of native plants in our home landscapes to support the wide range of pollinators and birds that are under threat, one overlooked niche may be under the mower blades!   As a beekeeper, I am thankful for […]

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Introduction to Habitat Gardening

Introduction to Habitat Gardening by Glenn Olsen Gardening for birds and butterflies is growing increasingly popular with urban and sub-urban homeowners, especially during our stay at home period. This style of gardening utilizes plants (especially native plants) that benefit birds and butterflies. Additionally, we want to build structure in our yard, that is, plant in […]

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The Fourth "R"

By Nhu Bui and Hannah Guyton, Interns, Citizens\’ Environmental Coalition (CEC) You\’ve probably heard all about the three R\’s to save the environment. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. It\’s been drilled into our heads since childhood, and these steps are undoubtedly crucial parts to creating a sustainable society. However, this month we are focusing on the lesser-known fourth […]

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4 Ways to Reduce Plastic Pollution Locally this Plastic Free July

By Sasha Francis, Community Engagement Coordinator, Galveston Bay Foundation Plastic pollution in waterways is a huge problem all around the world with concerning global and local impacts. In the Houston-Galveston area, plastic pollution increases flood risks to neighborhoods when it is trapped in drains, causes water quality issues, and creates an unsightly view while you […]

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Skip the plastic, save a pelican.

Every spring, Houston Audubon and other conservation organizations along the Texas coast participate in the Texas Colonial Waterbird Surveys to help monitor population trends in our state’s seabirds and wading birds. Houston Audubon, Audubon Texas and several additional undivided interest owners co-own North Deer Island, the largest and most productive breeding colony in Galveston Bay. […]

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Bird-friendly (and Kid-friendly) Crafts

Are you at home more with nothing to do? Are you looking for new ways to entertain your restless kids? We\’ve all been going a bit stir-crazy, but while we may have to socially distance ourselves from each other, that does not mean we have to miss out on nature all around us this spring […]

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Creating a Pocket Prairie in an Urban Backyard

By Patrick Bolgren, Houston Audubon’s Young Professionals Advisory Council 2019 In September of 2017, my girlfriend Amanda and I, along with our dog Scout, moved out of our apartment and into a house in Houston’s Sunset Heights. One of the selling points of this house was that it had a small backyard the three of […]

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Critical habitat is closer than you think – Rice University students create a Habitat Conservation Plan to support wildlife in our city

Across the world, species are rapidly disappearing before our eyes. This is a biodiversity crisis. Urbanization has caused habitat degradation, loss, and fragmentation, which contribute to the decrease in global biodiversity. At Rice University, fifteen students signed up for Dr. Cassidy Johnson’s Conservation Biology Lab in hopes of making changes on their campus and in […]

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Lights Out Texas! Dark Skies for Bird Safety

Spring bird migration is in its peak over Texas, filling Houston with a plethora of colorful, melodious visitors. Turning out nonessential lights from April 19 – May 7 is one of the most impactful local actions you can make to save the lives of birds on their journey. As an extension of the city-wide Lights […]

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