Exploring Nature:

Buffalo Bayou History Presentation & Canoe Trip:

Learn the history of Buffalo Bayou through an evening presentation by Janet Wagner, current President of the Houston Historical Society, followed by a Saturday afternoon canoe trip on the bayou.

Travel through time beginning when Texas and the Arboretum site experienced a glacier that formed Buffalo Bayou, and the Trinity and Brazos Rivers. Observe the development of the various Early and Late Prehistoric occupations that created trail-roads across and along the Cibolo River. Learn about the early explorers attempting settlement on the Santa Rosa del Alcazar in the 16th century and those trading mirrors for fur and hides during the 17th century. Follow travelers through the Arboretum during the 18th and 19th centuries in fording the bayou at “Dutchman’s Crossing” and collecting food from the local prairies for a rigorous journey to settlements in central and south Texas. Hear about the lives and activities of the first settlers in the Arboretum as well as those along Buffalo Bayou from Chimney Rock downstream at the place known as “Pleasant Bend, Texas” and “Dolly Varden Point.”

This class will be followed by a Saturday half-day canoe trip down Buffalo Bayou to see important sites firsthand. Be part of an exciting floating classroom of natural, fluvial, historical, and geological information in this city's most important natural asset.

The Leaders

Janet K. Wagner, a Texas Registered Landscape Architect, founded a company that provides premium historical and cultural resource investigations to execute reports with detailed archival analysis of the development of historic communities and sites. Janet currently serves as President of the Houston Historical Society and Vice Chair of the Harris County Historical Commission.

Don Greene has been involved in outdoor education and preservation for 30 years and has been a professional guide and outfitter since 1975. He is an American Red Cross canoeing instructor, Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), and Swiftwater Rescue Technician. Don has won numerous awards for outdoor education and conservation and shares a passionate interest in the preservation of Buffalo Bayou. This trip will be an ideal opportunity to absorb Don's knowledge and enthusiasm about this most precious water resource.

Dates & Times:
History Presentation: Thursday, February 18: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Canoe Trip: Saturday, February 20: 1- 5 p.m.
Minimum of 5; maximum of 12 for canoe trip.

Cost:
History Presentation only: $40 for members; $50 for non-members
History and Canoe trip (max. of 12 participants, cost includes all equipment): $135 for members; $145 for non-members

Notes:
Certain details of the canoe trip might vary depending on water flows in the Bayou. The route may also change due to bayou conditions. The trip will go rain or shine (except under dangerous lightning conditions). Some physical exertion is required.

Register using the online form.

Questions? Email or call 713-366-0379 for more information.

Tell us what you think of the Adult Programs! Take a 4 question survey here.