Advanced Training

In Person Field Day. Visit sites in Houston and learn how soil on your property can soak up more rainwater and reduce runoff, lower outdoor watering needs, and filter pollutants to improve water quality in your local waterway. Healthy, living soils improve water storage and water quality, are resilient to drought, temperature extremes, fire and... Read More →

Learn the common culprits trying to destroy your Spring Veggie Garden, plus some good guys and potential flower garden pests.Webinar link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82502361846?pwd=SIU9MOrvi2bB2lzpIU6aokLCqy2i1f.1#success

Experience an early morning birding excursion during this family friendly program! We will navigate Adams Bayou on a slow-paced bird watching adventure en route to our Beaver Pond outdoor classroom. Children must be 4 years of age or older to attend this easy activity level program with a .5-mile hike. This program features a boxed... Read More →

Monthly Program “Perfection is Over Rated: Nature Does Not Require Us to Get Everything Right, She Just Needs Us to Try”7:00 pm - 9:00 pmJoin us on Thursday, May 1st at 7:00PM for an inspiring talk by Cee Cee Parker as she shares the journey of Hidden Territory Farm, a thriving wildlife sanctuary near Sugar Land. Learn... Read More →

Any season is a great season to learn about trees! Jim McKee, a Master Naturalist, tree lover, and bird watcher will be leading more walks throughout the year at the Nature Discover Center to teach us how to identify the trees that live here in Russ Pitman Park. You’ll learn how to use leaf, bark,... Read More →

 Health & SafetyPlease bring plenty of water.Sunset CruiseRatesMember - $30Non Member - $35Ages 5 and older. an adult is required to accompany children under 18.Duration2.5 HoursAboutSunset is a beautiful time on Armand Bayou! Join us for a relaxing trip, observing local wildlife as you drift peacefully along on the Bayou Ranger II pontoon boat.Know Before You Go:The... Read More →

Tours are 1-2 hours. Book the time when you register.Experience Armand Bayou Nature Center on a guided outing! Begin the tour observing wildlife from the elevated boardwalk. You will visit our animal ambassadors in the lobby of our newly renovated Environmental Learning Center. Then board our electric vehicle and leisurely explore the riparian forest down... Read More →

Led by staff from Coastal Prairie Conservancy and Native Prairies Association of Texas, this workshop is designed for Communities of Faith interested in restoring native habitats.  We’ll cover pocket prairie establishment, native plan propagation and sourcing, biodiversity surveys, support and resources for restoration projects. Free. No registration necessary, just show up.

 Health & SafetyPlease bring plenty of water.Sunset CruiseRatesMember - $30Non Member - $35Ages 5 and older. an adult is required to accompany children under 18.Duration2.5 HoursAboutSunset is a beautiful time on Armand Bayou! Join us for a relaxing trip, observing local wildlife as you drift peacefully along on the Bayou Ranger II pontoon boat.Know Before You Go:The... Read More →

Fascinating FlycatchersBird's-Eye View on Behavior SeriesMondays at 7pmMay 5 - June 16, 2025Register Now!Join us for this in-depth look at many beautiful and fascinating species of tyrant flycatchers that reside along the Upper Texas Coast and other parts of Texas.We'll highlight species from each of the family groups, including tyrants, Empidonax, pewees, phoebes, and more.... Read More →

Is it a moccasin or a cottonmouth? Do they really chase you? Join Martin DeVore to learn about one of the four main types of venomous snakes in the Houston area. Meet“Eli,” our resident western cottonmouth ambassador. Afterwards, take a self-guided stroll through our trails. Visit any of our wetland areas to see if you... Read More →

$75 member/$90 nonmemberJoin the Organic Horticulture Benefits Alliance (OHBA)  for an inspiring event featuring three sustainability experts who will share their knowledge on creating a greener, healthier, and more vibrant city! From homes and public parks to water detention, commercial spaces, and beyond, discover how we can transform our urban environment into a more livable,... Read More →

Texas Flycatcher Identification WorkshopIt's always exciting when flycatcher season hits Texas. However, this is also a nerve-wracking time because flycatchers can be very confusing, even for seasoned birders. The migratory status of many of our flycatchers in Texas is quite confused because of these challenges in identification. We will hold an interactive workshop on flycatcher... Read More →

Meeting Location:  Spring Creek Parkway Trailhead (Spring Creek Pkwy Trailhead at 59 in Google Maps) on the west side of US 59/I 69 in Humble, Texas (GPS: 30.02581, -95.263713)Field Trip Overview: This portion of the Spring Creek trail is situated on old Spring Creek depositional feature and contains deep sands. We will walk and look for openings... Read More →

Is it a moccasin or a cottonmouth? Do they really chase you? Join Martin DeVore to learn about one of the four main types of venomous snakes in the Houston area. Meet “Eli,” our resident western cottonmouth ambassador. Afterwards, take a self-guided stroll through our trails. Visit any of our wetland areas to see if... Read More →

Armand Bayou Nature Center Preserve Watch Series – Rookery TourCost: $45-$50Your tour will begin with a five-minute guided walk down our boardwalk leading to our Environmental Learning Center. There will be an approximately one hour presentation in the auditorium. Then you will drive to the rookery site to view our secluded rookery. We will have... Read More →

It's a trap! Big Thicket's carnivorous plants use deception to trick and trap insects in order to get the nutrients they need.Explore a natural garden of carnivorous plants with a ranger. This 1-mile, hour-long walk on the Pitcher Plant Trail will give you an up-close look at these unusual plants.The Pitcher Plant Trail is located... Read More →

$45 member / $65 nonmember (per container)Instructor: Kelsey LowAges 5+Enjoy a Mother’s Day outing in nature! Work together with mom or a good friend and we’ll provide all the supplies you need to make a cheerful, spring-themed native plant container garden – up to two people can work on one container. The plants will attract... Read More →

Fascinating FlycatchersBird's-Eye View on Behavior SeriesMondays at 7pmMay 5 - June 16, 2025Register Now!Join us for this in-depth look at many beautiful and fascinating species of tyrant flycatchers that reside along the Upper Texas Coast and other parts of Texas.We'll highlight species from each of the family groups, including tyrants, Empidonax, pewees, phoebes, and more.... Read More →

To be announced

TMN Tuesdays presents "Stewardship Lessons from Aldo Leopold" with Steve Nelle. Join with Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/qxm-axnn-rgw Learn more about Meet at: https://support.google.com/a/users/answer/9282720

Expand your horizons by learning something new. Bring a lunch and meet fellow garden enthusiasts at the May Lunch and Learn.  Jamie Hartwell will guide you through the history of Mercer, from its humble beginnings to a respected arboretum and botanic garden that spans almost 400 acres. Location:  Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens Visitor’s Center, 22306... Read More →

Free. Webinar. More than 1 billion birds are killed from collisions with windows every year. Fortunately, affordable and effective solutions are available for residents just like you! Join the Cornell Lab of Ornithology for a free, virtual webinar to learn how YOU can make the windows at your home safer for birds. Everyone who attends will be entered to win up to $500 in bird-window collision deterrents.* Register today,... Read More →

Dr. Benjamin HutchinsAssistant Director & Groundwater EcologistEdwards Aquifer Research and Data Center - Texas State UniversityTexas groundwater has been a contentious topic and conservation priority for over 100 years. Millions of Texans rely on groundwater for drinking, farming, industry, and recreation. However, besides a few well-known species, most Texans don’t realize that groundwater habitats in... Read More →

Fee:  Free. Location: Location will be provided upon registration.Dates & TimesDate:Thursday, May 15, 2025Time:10:00 AMDuration:4 hoursType of EventGuided TourCanoe trips usually take 3-4 hours.DescriptionJoin park rangers for a guided canoe trip on the waters of the preserve. The program targets the casual and novice paddler. Canoes, life jackets, and paddles are provided. Visitors are asked to bring water,... Read More →

Free, registration requiredInstructor: Tiffany RitterAges 21+All educators are welcome at our workshops; classroom teachers, outdoor educators, scout leaders, homeschool parents – anyone who wants to learn fun, hands-on ways to teach children about science and nature.The Arboretum’s workshops include:Engaging outdoor activitiesFun curriculum ideasInter-disciplinary connections to the natural world Beer & WineLight snacks Houston Arboretum & Nature Center... Read More →

The following is a list of Entomology webinars that you can attend for CEUS. Each topic lasts for one hour or less. They will be recorded for later viewing. Those links can be found on the approved eLearning courses document referenced on the home page of VMS.All of the webinars use the same link.Time: May... Read More →

On these hikes, you will become a myth-buster as we learn what's true and what's false about bats and why they're critical to many ecosystems around the world. We'll also use our special equipment to detect and identify the bat species at the nature center as they fly above us!When: May 16thPricing: Non-members $16 per person, Members $14 per... Read More →

Join Master Beekeeper, Naomi Gilbert, in celebrating World Bee Day (observed May 20th). Learn all about bees and beekeeping and explore the world of hive dynamics. Discover the important role that bees play as pollinators. As the primary beekeeper at Mercer Botanical Gardens, Naomi will share with you what it takes to keep and maintain... Read More →

Gardening for GoodJoe Lamp’l is the creator and host of The joe gardener® Show podcast and founder of  joegardener.com and the joegardener® Online Gardening Academy™. He’s also the creator, host, and executive producer of the Emmy-winning national public television series Growing a Greener World®, now available on YouTube.A longtime advocate for organic gardening and ecological stewardship, Joe has shared his expertise as... Read More →

Fascinating FlycatchersBird's-Eye View on Behavior SeriesMondays at 7pmMay 5 - June 16, 2025Register Now!Join us for this in-depth look at many beautiful and fascinating species of tyrant flycatchers that reside along the Upper Texas Coast and other parts of Texas.We'll highlight species from each of the family groups, including tyrants, Empidonax, pewees, phoebes, and more.... Read More →

Monarchs in Action: Youth-Led ConservationMay 20 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pmStay informed about the latest in monarch conservation by joining our free monthly webinar series! This series is a unique opportunity to hear from experts across various interdisciplinary fields related to monarchs, other pollinators, their habitats, and the threats and pressures that make conservation urgent. Bring your... Read More →

 📍 YouTube Live – No registration needed Presented by Wild Ones Board President Loris Damerow, this 30-minute webinar walks you through native plant basics: assessing your site, picking the right plants, and avoiding common mistakes. It’s part of the Less Lawn, More Life Challenge, a national movement helping people turn lawns into habitat. Stick around in the live chat... Read More →

Dragonflies From the Arctic to the TropicsTuesday, May 20, 7-8:30pm ET (online only)Speaker: Dr. Jessica Ware, American Museum of Natural HistoryDragonflies, damselflies and their ancestors were among the first creatures fly—before birds, bats or pterosaurs. On May 20, explore the origins of the Odonata insects with Dr. Jessica Ware, an entomologist at the American Museum of... Read More →

Bees pollinate 1/3 of all the food we consume – including fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Join Jerrel Giesler in the nature center to learn about these incredibly fascinating and IMPORTANT pollinators. Afterwards, take a self-guided wander around our pollinator garden to see how many different kinds of bees you might see buzzing around the... Read More →

Luke T. MicekGraduate ResearcherStephen F. Austin State University, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and AgricultureWebinar Description:Passive fishing gear (e.g., trotlines, limblines, juglines) are often abandoned, creating a persistent and poorly understood threat to aquatic wildlife. The Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii), the largest freshwater turtle species in North America, is particularly vulnerable due to its... Read More →

Free. Virtual Education Series presented by Ashley Morgan Olvera. Webinar on Aquatic Invasive Species. Preregistration required. Register through TEAMS.

Free. Each month the Coastal Prairie Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists will lead a guided Insect Hike with a unique theme.  May Theme: Butterflies and Moths. Bring a camera or zoom lens for close ups, or use a camera phone with magnifying glass. This event is entirely outdoors so wear appropriate clothing for season.  Closed toe comfortable... Read More →

Why is Texas Parks & Wildlife Department tasked with protecting water for wildlife? How does wildlife use of water and our role in conserving water merge? The TPWD Texas Waters Specialist certification program is a great educational tool to share, creating knowledge-based best practices in protecting watersheds. The actions that follow training engender environmental benefits... Read More →

Have you ever experienced the Big Thicket at night?Free. No reservations necessary. Bring your flashlight to join a ranger on a hike through the Big Thicket in the dark. This hike will explore some of the stories that make the Big Thicket special and mysterious. If you enjoy legends and real-life stories of the Big... Read More →

Fee:  Free.Location: Location will be provided upon registration.Dates & TimesDate:Saturday, May 24, 2025Time:10:00 AMDuration:4 hoursType of EventGuided TourCanoe trips usually take 3-4 hours.DescriptionJoin park rangers for a guided canoe trip on the waters of the preserve. The program targets the casual and novice paddler. Canoes, life jackets, and paddles are provided. Visitors are asked to bring water,... Read More →

$35 member / $50 nonmemberInstructor: Wildlife Center of TexasAges 16+, all minors must be accompanied by an adultEnjoy a unique night out in nature! Enjoy some refreshments (light snacks, hot chocolate, coffee, and Saint Arnold Brewing Company beer) while you meet live owl ambassadors. You’ll learn all about these wise and wonderful birds, and then... Read More →

Fascinating FlycatchersBird's-Eye View on Behavior SeriesMondays at 7pmMay 5 - June 16, 2025Register Now!Join us for this in-depth look at many beautiful and fascinating species of tyrant flycatchers that reside along the Upper Texas Coast and other parts of Texas.We'll highlight species from each of the family groups, including tyrants, Empidonax, pewees, phoebes, and more.... Read More →

It's a trap! Big Thicket's carnivorous plants use deception to trick and trap insects in order to get the nutrients they need.Explore a natural garden of carnivorous plants with a ranger. This 1-mile, hour-long walk on the Pitcher Plant Trail will give you an up-close look at these unusual plants.The Pitcher Plant Trail is located... Read More →

Join guest speaker Haidyn Leigh, with the Texas Hawking Association, in the nature center to learn about various raptors that can be found in our area. Discover what tools are necessary for these agile hunters to survive in our local ecosystems. Find out what it means to be a falconer and get a chance to... Read More →

The Big Thicket is teeming with fascinating and useful plants! Join a Village Creek Park Ranger to explore these species and learn about how people in the past used these plants in everyday life. This hike will meet at the main parking lot, begin on the Village Creek Trail and last roughly 1 hour. Hikers... Read More →