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The Big Four

Activity

Finding Houston's Native Grasses

Go on a grass hunt through the Park to discover Houston’s “Big Four” native grasses! As you explore, keep an eye out for the tall, “turkey-foot” top of Big Bluestem, the feathery golden plumes of Yellow Indiangrass, the thick clusters of Switchgrass, and the blue-green stalks of Little Bluestem that turn reddish in the fall. Notice the height, color, and shapes of each type of grass. Which one stands out to you the most? Pick up 3 strands of grass from the ground and braid them into a cord, or weave them into a tiny basket. Indigenous people of this area used grasses to make roofs, baskets for carrying things, cords to tie things together, and more!

Science Seed

Memorial Park’s prairie restoration projects help increase native grasses like Big Bluestem, Little Bluestem, Switchgrass, and Yellow Indiangrass. These grasses have deep roots that hold soil in place, reduce erosion, and retain water, even in drought. Grass roots create channels in the soil, helping it absorb water faster and reduce runoff which causes urban flooding. As they grow, they enrich the soil and provide food and shelter for local wildlife, from insects to birds. Restoring native grasses helps Memorial Park’s prairie thrive, supporting a balanced ecosystem and protecting this unique habitat for the future.

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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