Events Listing

City Nature Challenge

Which city is the wildest? Be a part of a global challenge to see which city can document the most wildlife species. Join local events, make observations on your own, or identify species using the iNaturalist app.

April 27 – 30: City Nature Challenge – Take photos in the Greater Houston Area Counties*

April 29:  FREE iNaturalist Training at the Nature Discovery Center from 4 – 5 pm (drop in).  Before you come, download iNaturalist on your phone and create an iNaturalist account.

May 1 – 3: Species ID process – Upload your photos to the iNaturalist project for Houston & ID (identify) all you can

For more information and to get involved in Texas, go to TPWD.TEXAS.GOV/NATURECHALLENGE

*Greater Houston Area Counties: Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris,  Liberty, Montgomery, Waller

Download a sharable PDF flyer for the 2018 City Nature Challenge

View a helpful INaturalist “How To” PDF

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Sneak-a-Peek (preK)

Ages: 3 to 5 with an adult caregiver.

Days & Times: Select Tuesdays, 10 am or 1 pm. Classes are approximately 1 hour long, but individual kids may take more or less time depending on the time they spend on their crafts.

Dates & Topics:

  • Jun 6 – Frogs & Toads are Friends
  • Jul 11 – Magnificent Mammals
  • Aug 8 – Reptile Round-Up

Cost/Class: Wildlife Family (or higher) Level Members $15 / Non-members $20

Advance registration required.  REGISTER 

Class Limit: 10 participating children with their adult caregiver. No drop offs.

 

Please read our FAQ for Camp Registrations here before you register.

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Willow Waterhole Bird Survey

The Nature Discovery Center is partnering with Houston Audubon to conduct the monthly urban Willow Waterhole bird survey. Mary Ann Beauchemin, Senior Naturalist at the NDC leads these surveys on the 3rd Saturday of each month except December. The monthly Bird Survey at Willow Waterhole lets both researchers and birders study how the creation of retention ponds can attract birds to urban areas as well as how populations of species change over time in this urban setting.

Upcoming Surveys:

March 16 at 8 am

We would love to have you volunteer to help out with this survey! Beginning birders can help spot birds and more experienced birders can help with identification. We break into 3 or 4 groups to try and cover a good portion of the park. Trails are fairly easy walking and the survey takes about 2 hours. We meet in the parking lot of the Gathering Place at 5310 South Willow Drive, Houston.

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CENTER CLOSED

The Nature Discovery Center will be closed today. As always, Russ Pitman Park will be open to visitors from 5 am – 9:30 pm.

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Backyard Composting Workshop

Saturday, May 5 from 10 am to Noon

Learn how to turn your kitchen scraps into valuable compost! You already recycle your paper and plastic. At this hands-on workshop you will learn how to recycle your food scraps and yard waste as well by building an outdoor compost pile. You will come away with all the knowledge you need to start a compost pile in your own backyard.

Cost: $15/person

Register

This workshop is part of our Adult Nature Series, a set of talks, workshops, and events for adults. This series will include quarterly adult only evening hikes, talks, and socials, as well as weekend natural history workshops. It will be interesting, educational, and a lot of fun!

Space is limited to ensure a high quality experience for all. Reservations are required.

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Park After Dark Owl Prowl

What: Come learn about the wildlife that is out and about in Russ Pitman Park once the sun goes down. Bring your family for a guided night walk through the park.

These night “hikes” are perfect for adults and children ages 4 and up.

Our night walks begin at the Nature Discovery Center. Programs include an introduction to the animals we are likely to find and the best ways to find them, followed by a guided exploration through the park.

When: May 4 at 7:00 pm
What to Bring: Mosquito repellant & flashlight (for adult use only).
Cost: Members $8/person; Nonmembers $10/person

Reservations required. Register

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Walk on the Wild Side

Come explore and learn more about the wild side of nature in the city with our fun, family-friendly nature walks in Russ Pitman Park. Join us while we sneak up on lizards, peer through a spotting scope for close up looks at honey bees or birds, search for colorful flowers, spy on the secret life of animals that hide under logs, and investigate more seasonal nature surprises! Learn some tips to explore nature with your family in your own backyard or on your travels. These walks are about an hour long.

Where: Meet us on the Nature Discovery Center’s front porch.

When:  February 23 at 10 am

Cost: Members – FREE; Nonmembers – $5/family

This is a drop-in program. No registration required. As a courtesy, please call Mary Ann at 713.667.6550 if you plan to come with a group of 6 or more.

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Camp Topic Forests and their Trees

What: A week long day camp full of games, crafts, outdoor exploration, hands-on science experiences, and more!

Forests and their Trees
Aug 13 – 17  OR  Aug 20 – 24

Who: 5 to 10 year olds
When: Monday – Friday from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm
Cost: Members $250/wk or Nonmembers $320/wk

After Care (optional)
When: Monday – Friday from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Cost: $60/week or $15/day

What to bring: Kids bring lunches (we provide snacks/water)

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Camp Topic Wildlife Habitat Explorers

What: A week long day camp full of games, crafts, outdoor exploration, hands-on science experiences, and more!

Wildlife Habitat Explorers
Aug 13 – 17  OR  Aug 20 – 24

Who: 5 to 10 year olds
When: Monday – Friday from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm
Cost: Members $250/wk or Nonmembers $320/wk

After Care (optional)
When: Monday – Friday from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Cost: $60/week or $15/day

What to bring: Kids bring lunches (we provide snacks/water)

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Camp Topic Forests and their Trees

What: A week long day camp full of games, crafts, outdoor exploration, hands-on science experiences, and more!

Forests and their Trees
Jul 30 – Aug 3  OR  Aug 6 – 10

Who: 5 to 10 year olds
When: Monday – Friday from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm
Cost: Members $250/wk or Nonmembers $320/wk

After Care (optional)
When: Monday – Friday from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Cost: $60/week or $15/day

What to bring: Kids bring lunches (we provide snacks/water)

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