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Wild Tracks

Activity

Footprints Along the Bayou

Go on a walk to Buffalo Bayou and notice the natural edges along the waterway. Make a footprint in the mud and notice how soft the edges are. Do you notice any other footprints from other animals?

Science Seed

When it rains in Houston, the water runs into the bayous to be taken to the Gulf of Mexico. There are two main ways that Houston uses to move rainfall from the city to the Gulf of Mexico. One is through bayous with cement sides where the water moves very quickly, racing to the ocean. The other is through bayous with softer natural edges, like Buffalo Bayou, where the riparian ecosystems of plants and trees slow the storm water down. Riparian ecosystems, made up of plants, trees, and wetlands, act like nature’s sponges, absorbing water and providing essential filtration, as well as essential habitat in the city.

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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