News at ABNC

Conservationists won’t let area’s original ecosystem die out - Initiative to re-create endangered coastal prairie land is taking root

ABNC was featured on the front page of the July 10, 2022 edition Houston Chronicle. Check out the e-edition of the article here

Industry and Government Come Together to Restore Estuarine Wetlands

In 2021 Chevron Pasadena Refinery generously donated $50,000 and Harris County Precinct 2 donated an additional $50,000 to support Armand Bayou Nature Center’s efforts to manage invasive vegetation.  In an inspiring example of what can be accomplished when industry and government work together.  Their support enabled Armand Bayou Nature Center to begin the process of eliminating invasive species in 20 acres of estuarine wetlands in 2021.

“Chevron Pasadena Refinery is pleased to partner on this project with Harris County and Armand Bayou Nature Center, to manage this Pasadena, Texas, treasure for the benefit of Gulf Coast ecosystems and enjoyment of the public”, said Rajni Yadav, Chevron Pasadena Refinery, corporate affairs manager.  “Chevron employees enjoyed participating in the restoration of this cherished habitat by helping plant 3,700 native grass plants on a sunny afternoon in October. It was both fun and gratifying to make an immediate improvement to this absolute gem of a wilderness preserve”, added Rajni Yadav.

“What drives me every day is working to guarantee that Precinct 2 is the best place to live, work, and play for everyone. This means protecting the natural treasures bestowed to us. For people to thrive, our natural environment must also thrive but most importantly, it must also be protected. Armand Bayou’s Nature Center does an exemplary job of being good stewards of this incredible ecosystem in our region and Precinct 2 is proud to join Chevron Pasadena Refinery in supporting the nature center to restore this beautiful estuarine habitat.” Commissioner Adrian Garcia

Over the last 20 years, Armand Bayou Nature Center has planted more than 26 acres of estuarine marsh grasses to restore the edges of Armand and Horsepen bayous. One of the greatest threats to Armand Bayou Nature Center’s ongoing work is an invasive species known as elephant ear (Colocasia esculenta), which easily invades wetland edges, swamps, streams, and riverine forests.  Elephant ear, also called wild taro, is a popular landscape plant that has escaped cultivation and has now spread to our local waterways.  The rapid spread of elephant ear threatens vital nesting and foraging habitat for birds of national and state conservation concern: including least bittern, little blue heron, tricolored heron, green heron, snowy egret, sedge wren, wood duck and wood stork.

“It is so important that local government, local industry, and local nonprofits work together to save our environment. Commissioner Garcia and our friends at Chevron understand that the environmental and economic health of Galveston Bay is dependent on healthy estuaries like Armand Bayou.” Executive Director of Armand Bayou Nature Center, Tim Pylate

On an unseasonably warm Friday afternoon in December 2021, Commissioner Adrian Garcia of Precinct 2 and Rajni Yadav of the Chevron Pasadena Refinery journeyed along Armand and Horsepen bayous on ABNC’s electric pontoon boat. During this pontoon cruise they were able to see firsthand the critical difference their support has made in ABNC’s efforts to manage the invasive elephant ear plant.  Without their support in reducing this invasive species along ABNC’s waterways, elephant ear would have quickly dominated the existing bulrush marsh which ABNC spent two decades planting and restoring.

PDF of this press release

Discover ABNC’s Discovery Loop

The Discovery Loop and the remarkable features it leads to are now accessible for people who use wheelchairs and for people with limited mobility.

In 2021 Armand Bayou Nature Center (ABNC) embarked on an ambitious goal to make their Discovery Loop trail accessible for people using wheel chairs and people with limited mobility.  ABNC has over 5 miles of trails of varying lengths. The .67 mile Discovery Loop trail is the core trail and provides visitors a unique view of the three diverse and vulnerable Gulf Coast habitats which ABNC works to preserve.  Like its name implies, this popular trail provides visitors the opportunity to discover wetlands, historic prairie grasslands, riparian forest, ABNC’s Environmental Learning Center with displays of living fish, reptiles, and amphibians, interactive John P. McGovern Children’s Discovery Area, Bison Viewing Platform, and ABNC’s authentic 1800's farm site.

“We are so grateful to companies like Chemours who are helping us to make the wonders and comforts of nature accessible to everyone.”  ABNC Executive Director, Tim Pylate

Visitors who explore ABNC’s Discovery Loop are often rewarded with wildlife sightings, including buffalo, armadillo, squirrels, deer, and so much more.  With more than 370 species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians making Armand Bayou Nature Center their home, ABNC is a hotspot for native wildlife sightings.  Every visit provides an opportunity to see something new.  ABNC wants everyone to have the opportunity to reconnect with nature, which is why last year they actively worked with corporate partners to make the Discovery Loop accessible to people who use wheelchairs and people with limited mobility.

“It was a pleasure for the Chemours LaPorte, Texas site to engage with the ABNC staff and help make the Discovery Loop accessible to all visitors.” Chemours

Chemours generously donated $10,000 and their employees volunteered many hours to complete work on the trail around our bison platform and our historic farmstead.  The Discovery Loop and the remarkable features it leads to are now accessible for people who use wheelchairs and for people with limited mobility.  This improved accessibility also expands the experience our education department can provide to students with distinct abilities who participate in our EcoEducation programs.  The trails are now also easier to maneuver for families with small children and strollers.  The Accessible Discovery Loop project is now complete and is a great success thanks to the generous support of corporate partner’s like Chemours.

PDF of this press release