There are a lot of opportunities for teachers to engage their students in nature classwork at our Birding Nature Center.  Some of the classes that have been taught in the past include:

​

• Younger students P-K through 2nd 

• Insects and Spiders – (ladybugs, butterflies) learn about, collect and release

• Ponds - overview of pond ecosystem, frog life cycle, food chain

• Gardening - composting and working in the garden

• 3rd through 8th 

• Trees -Plants and Seeds- tree cookies, succession, and propagation of seeds

• Birds - local backyard and seasonal migration

• Ecology - The human element in the ecosystem

• Pond - Secchi disc, plankton, and pond ecosystem

• Mammals - tracks, scat and food chains

• Summer Environmental Education Classes

• Insect Ecology/Identification

​​

Student Groups

 

Groups of up to 60 students are allowed with at least 2 weeks prior notice.

​

• Self-guided tours: $1 per person

• Teachers must plan to supervise students while at Center

• Those interested in Educational Programs need to make reservations

• EMAIL or call 979-245-3336

​​

Links

​

Birding

​

Bird Watching with Binoculars – A guide for watching birds with binoculars.

Gulf Coast Bird Observatory  – The mission of the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory is the conservation of birds and their habitat in and around the Gulf of Mexico.

Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail – The Trail runs from the Louisiana border clear to Mexico. It stretches over five hundred miles along the coast and comprises more than three hundred separate sites.

Travel South Texas - Matagorda County Birding – Over 300 birding sites and rookeries in South Texas with detailed maps showing the locations.

Mad Island Bird Count 2015 – Spreadsheet with the results of the count

Mad Island Bird Count 2015 – Document with the highlights and includes photos

​

Butterflies

​

The North American Butterfly Association (NABA) – By far, the largest group of people in North America (Canada, United States, and Mexico) that is interested in butterflies. It is a nonprofit membership organization working to increase public enjoyment and conservation of butterflies.

Garden Treasures – Where Do Butterflies Come from?

Kremp Florist – How to Make a Butterfly Garden

Fun Facts About Butterflies – Links to all manner of information on butterflies from fun facts to butterfly gardening and more.

Creating Pollinator Gardens – Flower Fragrances to Attract Pollinators

 

Conservancy and Parks​

​

Nature Conservancy in Texas - Main Nature Conservancy site.

Matagorda Bay Nature Park – A 1,600-acre park and preserve at the mouth of the Colorado River on the Matagorda Peninsula. LCRA developed the park to provide recreation, education, wetlands preservation and economic benefit to the region.

Texas Cooperative Extension – Extension offers practical, how-to education based on university research. It’s available to any resident of Texas.

Houston Audubon Society – The Houston Audubon Society (HAS) works for the thoughtful conservation of the earth’s natural resources by educating people about the value of the natural world; protecting, preserving and enhancing wildlife habitat; and encouraging the passage of legislation to protect the environment.