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News & Blog

Habitat Hikes

May 6, 2022

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Houston Arboretum & Nature Center awarded Level 1 Accreditation by ArbNet Accreditation Program

The Houston Arboretum has been awarded a Level 1 Accreditation by The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and The Morton Arboretum.

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Richard King Mellon Foundation Awards $90,000 Grant for Fall 2025 Conservation Project

The grant will fund the removal of invasive plant species and support hiring Student Conservation Association program participants, who will help restore the Arboretum’s woodland habitats.

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Reflecting on 20 Years at the Arboretum

20 years ago, I stepped into my role at the Arboretum with a deep love for nature and a desire to help more people experience its beauty.

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Houston Monarch Story arrives at the Arboretum

Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is excited to announce the opening of the Houston Monarch Story, an interactive art installation celebrating Monarch butterflies and their vital habitat.

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A Beginner’s Guide to Composting

If you’d like to do your part for the planet and begin composting, here are some simple steps to get you started. 

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Board Spotlight: Dr. Cullen Geiselman Muse

As her Board service draws to a close, it is with deep gratitude that we acknowledge the unparalleled leadership of Dr. Cullen Geiselman Muse.

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Inside a Prescribed Fire

Prescribed fire is vital for ecosystem health and community safety. Find out what is it like to be on the ground for one.

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The Great Owl Rescue

On a cool February morning, a visitor spotted three white puffballs. They were Great Horned Owl chicks, and they were in trouble!

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Experiencing Fall Migration

Happy Fall Migration! It may have just started to feel like autumn, but for birds, the subtle change in daylight hours at the end of August was enough to trigger their urge to travel.

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The Dog Days of Summer

We’re entering the Dog Days of Summer in a much more literal way this year – with multiple coyote and fox sightings!

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Birding as Citizen Science

The Global Big Day is a challenge to bird watchers everywhere: see as many bird species as possible in 24 hours. Will you join the challenge?

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Earth Month Wrap-up

Thank you all for joining us during Earth Month! Just because April is almost over doesn’t mean that you have to stop helping the Earth. There are tons of great environmentally-friendly things for you to do all year.

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Get Social With Us!

#HoustonArboretum

Arboretum Member registration for Spring Children' Arboretum Member registration for Spring Children's Programs is now open! Get your child ready to spend 2026 in nature at the Houston Arboretum with Nature Camps for ages 4-12 and classes for babies, homeschoolers, scouts, and teens. 

Not a Member? Join today for immediate access to priority registration. Nonmember registration will open on Thursday, December 11. 

Learn more and register at https://houstonarboretum.org/programs-trips/childrens-programs/

📸 Antranik Tavitian
The first winter cold has brought Cedar Waxwings b The first winter cold has brought Cedar Waxwings back to the Arboretum! Waxwings are unpredictable migrants, only moving south when cold weather hits, or when they run out of berries to eat, and even when they’ve “arrived” they tend to wander. These elegant birds rely almost completely on fruit during the winter, gobbling up berries from Eastern Redcedar, hollies, hawthorns, and mistletoe. You’d think they’d be easy to spot since they gather in huge flocks, but they stick to the treetops and blend in with dead leaves and pinecones, so your best bet for finding them is to listen for their incredibly high-pitched trilling calls. #BeakOfTheWeek #WildlifeWednesday
Today we’re celebrating Gratitude Tuesday!🌿 We’re Today we’re celebrating Gratitude Tuesday!🌿

We’re grateful for every person who helps Keep Nature in Reach - our Members, volunteers, staff, visitors, students, and community partners.

Thanks to you, Houston Arboretum & Nature Center remains a sanctuary for wildlife, a classroom for thousands of children and adults each year, and a peaceful place for all of Houston to explore and reconnect with nature.

We can't wait to see you on the trails, in the Discovery Room, at an event, or on the Nature Playscape in the coming year.

If you feel called to give to the Arboretum today, please visit: www.houstonarboretum.org/give/

Thank you for making the Arboretum such a vibrant, diverse, and welcoming home for all Houstonians (especially the wildlife)! 💚

📸 Antranik Tavitian, Paul R Davis Photography, Anthony Rathbun, Brandon Huttenlocher
December is almost here and with it comes all of t December is almost here and with it comes all of the excitement of the winter holiday season! Join us next Saturday, December 6 for Homemade Holidays, a fun opportunity to create your very own wreath, ornaments, and handmade gifts with natural materials like grapevine, branches, berries, and pinecones. 

This class is open to ages 5 and up, but minors must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited, so make sure to register in advance at https://houstonarboretum.org/event/homemade-holidays/2025-12-06/1/
UPDATE: Shade sail installation has been postponed UPDATE: Shade sail installation has been postponed due to weather, so the Playscape is OPEN.

📣 Attention Parents 📣
The Arboretum's Nature Playscape will be closed this Monday, December 1 through Monday, December 8 as we install shade sails in several sections of the play area. This exciting upgrade will help keep visitors cooler on Houston's hottest days and provide added sun protection. Thank you for your patience as we work to improve this well-loved portion of the Arboretum!

📸 @rathbun_photography

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Spring Children's Program registration opens Thursday, December 4 for Arboretum Members. Nonmember registration opens Thursday, December 11. Become a Member today for discounts and advanced registration.
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