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Scents on the Trail

Activity

Exploring the Aromas of Memorial Park

Go on a smell walk in the Park to discover the fragrant plants of Houston! As you explore, take a moment to breathe in the scents of different plants, like the sweet smell of magnolias, the fresh aroma of pine trees, and the earthy scent of grasses. Which smell is your favorite?

Science Seed

In Houston’s humid environment, many plants use their scents to help them survive. For example, magnolias have sweet-smelling flowers that attract bees and butterflies, which help the plants reproduce. Pine trees give off a fresh scent from their resin, which can attract helpful insects and prevent herbivores, like deer, from eating their needles. Some plants even release strong smells when they’re in trouble, warding off predators and warning nearby plants to protect themselves.

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earn Badges

Badges can be earned through hands-on experiences within each of the 16 branches of science, or “Science Slices.” You can earn a badge in each branch of science by doing four activities in these categories. We also encourage participants to keep a Nature Journal to record their memories, and to express themselves creatively through writing or drawing after each activity. We recommend that each child (and parent if they’d like) write or draw in a journal after each activity, with expectations of your children that match their age (the goal is self-expression, not perfection).

Explore the Memorial Park Conservancy

The mission of Memorial Park Conservancy is to preserve, restore, and enhance Memorial Park for the enjoyment of all Houstonians, today and tomorrow.

join Families in Nature

It is our vision to inspire all families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists. Becoming a member of Families in Nature will give your family the opportunity to have adventures in nature, experience field science, develop as youth conservation leaders, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Memberships are free for everyone.

Who are we?

Families in Nature works to create opportunities for nature connection with the purpose of sparking a deep love and desire to protect, conserve and restore the environment. Our mission is to connect children and their families to nature and to each other through time spent learning, playing, and volunteering outdoors. It is our vision to inspire ALL families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists.

This project was made possible by