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Slow the Flow

Activity

Exploring Flood and Erosion Control

Explore Hines Lake and observe how the wetlands help protect the land from flooding and erosion. Notice how the plants and landscape slow the flow of water and prevent damage to the land. Pretend you are a raindrop and walk the path from the highest point around the lake you are visiting and walk down to the lake and then past it to figure out how water would travel during a heavy rainstorm, noticing how the lake and the plants surrounding it will slow the water’s movement down the path.

Science Seed

Wetlands are vital ecosystems in many places on our planet. Wetlands, like the lake and prairie in Memorial Park, act as sponges that hold and filter water, reduce flooding, and prevent erosion. They also provide habitats for fish, birds, and other wildlife. Wetlands play a key role in protecting people and the environment as storms become stronger and more frequent due to climate change.

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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