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Birding at Hogg Bird Sanctuary

Activity

Calls, Tracks and Habitats

Explore the Hogg Bird Sanctuary in Memorial Park. As you walk, use apps like Merlin Bird ID to identify bird calls and track the birds you see. Pay attention to their behaviors, calls, and surroundings—are they perched in trees, flying overhead, or foraging on the ground? Notice how the diverse habitats, like trees and open spaces, provide food and shelter.

Science Seed

Hogg Bird Sanctuary is an important stop for migratory birds, with over 130 species recorded! The variety of habitats in Memorial Park supports both resident and migratory birds, providing essential resources for survival. Birds play an important role in the ecosystem, from pollination to insect control, and apps like Merlin help us identify their calls and deepen our understanding of their behavior.

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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