Do you enjoy walking trails in wooded areas? Do taking pictures of landscapes, animals, and wildflowers excite you? Did you know some places will allow you to appreciate this type of setting nestled in Houston that preserve nature’s sanctity? If you answered yes to these questions, then please, read further.
Located on the western edge of Memorial Park, the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center (HANC) offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and the opportunity to experience the natural world. This 155-acre non-profit urban nature sanctuary provides education about the natural environment to people of all ages. It plays a vital role in protecting native plants and animals in the heart of the city where development threatens their survival.
Visitors can explore nature by walking on trails, including forest, pond, wetland and meadow habitats (totaling five miles) free of charge. Annually, approximately 200,000 people visit the Arboretum, and education services reach more than 10,000 children. Each summer children gain in-depth knowledge leading to a life-long appreciation of the natural world through week-long Discovery Classes.
The Nature Center building includes the Discovery Room (with hands-on interactive exhibits, microscopes, touch screens and activities) and the Nature Shop filled with items for nature lovers of all ages, including education games and toys, books and nature-themed merchandise. It is a unique place for special events such as meetings, weddings, and birthday parties.
Programming
The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center encourages you never to stop learning and to have fun while you do it! It offers a variety of adult classes and social events year-round, including workshops to build rain and compost barrels, birding and photography classes, and opportunities to experience the Arboretum at night. Adult beverages and snacks are included in most evening classes.
As part of our dual mission to conserve and educate, we offer children’s programs for kids of all ages. Our children’s programs introduce youngsters to nature with hands-on activities, exploration, and interaction with the natural world. You can check out the Arboretum’s programming and register online for all events.
Consider becoming a member of the Houston Arboretum, and enjoy many benefits, including discounts on classes and events, priority registration, and free admission to select events throughout the year. Memberships ensure that the Arboretum can continue its educational and environmental mission.
History
The land on which the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center sits is part of Memorial Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country. From 1917 to 1923, the land was the site of Camp Logan, a World War I Army training camp. After the war, in 1924, the property was deeded to the City of Houston to be set aside as a park dedicated to the memory to the fallen soldiers of World War I.
The idea to create an arboretum began with local ecologist and educator Robert A. Vines who advocated carving out a piece of land from Memorial Park to serve as a nature sanctuary. In 1951, City Council agreed to his proposal and set aside 265 acres as an arboretum and botanical garden; since that time, roads and their rights-of-way have reduced the size of the arboretum to 155 acres.
On February 17, 1967, the ground was broken for a nature center building. In the 1980s, the organization changed its name from the Houston Botanical Society to the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center to better represent the wild and natural quality of the surrounding grounds.
Today
Currently, the Arboretum is undergoing a major restoration. After two major disasters (Hurricane Ike in 2008 and a severe drought in 2011) the Arboretum, in addition to the rest of Memorial Park, lost 50 percent of its tree canopy and suffered from further encroachment of invasive species. These events pointed to a pre-existing condition of poor ecological health. The site had become overgrown and densely forested in areas that historically were more open, which allowed for a higher plant and animal diversity. Because many trees were living in areas that were not ideal locations, they were not able to sustain the disasters. The goal of the restoration is to establish healthy habitats based on historical, ecological conditions. In the future, the restored landscape should be able to be more resilient to disasters.
You, your friends, and family are encouraged to come and see another part of Houston. You’ll be glad you did. Oh, one more thing, if you see the turtles, snakes, birds, and other wildlife, please don’t feed them because nature is already providing for them. For information, go to houstonarboretum.org or call 713-681-8433.
