News & Blog

Author: hancprod

Dragonfly Days of Summer

August 3, 2018

It’s dragonfly season here at the Arboretum. Technically dragonflies are here all year, but you can see the greatest diversity of species in the brutal summer heat.

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(Don’t) Let It Go

July 11, 2018

It’s no secret that the Arboretum is a gorgeous piece of wildlife habitat right in the middle of Houston. From birds and bunnies to turtles and snakes, we are home to a wide variety of native species, but that doesn’t mean our grounds are a great place for ALL animals.

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100 Birds

January 3, 2018

I started 2017 with a goal: to see 100 species of birds at the Arboretum in a single year. On Friday, December 15th I finally achieved my goal. I’ve seen everything from American Kestrels to Yellow Warblers. However, some birds stand out as favorites. Here’s my top 10 list of the 100 birds of 2017.

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Does this cooler weather have you dreaming about y

Does this cooler weather have you dreaming about your fall garden? Join us this Saturday, July 27 for Gardening for Butterflies, and learn how you can incorporate native plants into your yard or garden AND provide food and shelter for butterflies and moths!

Registration closes Friday at noon, so make sure to register in advance by following the link in our bio.

Imagine you’re hiking at the Arboretum and find

Imagine you’re hiking at the Arboretum and find a suspicious stick - that turns out to be a beautifully camouflaged bird! How do you figure out what it is? You could use a paper field guide, but we’re big fans of the iNaturalist app. iNaturalist turns every walk into a scavenger hunt, allowing you to identify and share pictures of any living organism. It would tell you that this “stick bird” is a Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor). If you want to learn how to use iNaturalist or just enjoy a good challenge, join us on Saturday, July 27 for the Evergreen Scavenger Hunt! #BeakOfTheWeek #WildlifeWednesday

Register for the Evergreen Scavenger Hunt at the link in our bio.

📸 Tom Koerner/USFWS

Everyone has a story to share – so come and shar

Everyone has a story to share – so come and share yours at our Storytelling Night on Saturday, August 24! Join us for a friendly night of storytelling in nature. Come prepared to tell your own nature-related story, or just admire the fascinating insects visiting our light trap. Stories should be 5 minutes max and focus on wildlife, plants, being outdoors, the weather, etc. We’ll also discuss storytelling tips as we enjoy Saint Arnold Brewing Company beer.

Learn more and register at the link in our bio.

Few plants are as true to their name as American B

Few plants are as true to their name as American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana). The fruits of this shade-loving shrub start out pale green and ripen to a brilliant magenta, creating a beautiful gradient as they mature. The berries stay on the branches even after the leaves drop, so it provides stunning winter color too! Humans don’t particularly enjoy the flavor of the berries, but they are popular with birds, opossums, and even foxes.

📸 and observation by Sr. Naturalist Kelsey Low

Adults ages 21 and up are invited to challenge you

Adults ages 21 and up are invited to challenge yourself with a fun night out in nature at our Evergreen Scavenger Hunt on Saturday, July 27! Work alone or with a team to complete an Arboretum scavenger hunt that will test your powers of observation while enjoying refreshments from Saint Arnold Brewing Company. Along the way, you’ll learn how to use the iNaturalist app to turn your scavenger hunt into useful scientific data – it’s as easy as taking pictures!

Learn more and register at the link in our bio.

Fall Children's Program registration will open Tuesday, August 6 for Arboretum Members. Nonmember registration will open Tuesday, August 13.Become a Family Tree Member or above for access to early registration and discounts.