If you have a passion for nature, then you should visit the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. This non-profit organization is located at Memorial Park, 4501 Woodway Drive in Houston, Texas. Admission to this nature center is free and open to the public every day. The Arboretum’s main attractions include the Japanese garden, native plants, and butterfly houses. You can also learn about the evolution of plants and wildlife in the area.
The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is free to enter, and it is a great place to take your dog. There are over five miles of nature trails, and you can learn about different animal species. There are also several hands-on exhibits that will pique your child’s interest. In the Discovery Room, you can use a microscope to study an animal or observe the planet. Touch screens and microscopes are also available in the Nature Shop.
The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is an educational resource that is situated six miles from downtown. Founded in 1967, this Houston nature center is home to over 155 acres of native plant and animal life. It is a great place to relax and escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center was previously named the Houston Botanical Society, but in the 1970s, it was changed to reflect the natural qualities of its grounds. Until then, the Arboretum had only been used as an educational resource, and was a swamp, overrun with early successional trees and invasive species.
The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is an important part of Houston’s urban park landscape. In the early part of the last century, this park area was maintained by wildfire and buffalo grazing, but urbanization replaced these natural features. The Arboretum design team sought to change the landscape and return it to its original prairie and savanna vegetation. This change in habitat created an ecosystem that is resilient to extremes of weather and climate change.
The new identity of the Arboretum has been shaped through direct engagement of stakeholders. Volunteers from the community and local schools and universities have helped with the process of clearing vegetation, preparing soil for planting, and propagating plants. The Arboretum has partnered with Memorial Park to cultivate tens of thousands of native prairie plants in their nursery. These efforts will help the Arboretum create a sustainable environment that is both environmentally sound and enjoyable for the public.
The Arboretum is dog-friendly, and welcomes dogs. Visitors should keep their dogs leashed and on trails. Dogs are not permitted to swim in the arboretum’s pond or bayou. The arboretum is an excellent place to bring a pet for a day out with the family. Its self-guided habitat hikes pass educational Field Stations and feature the naturalist’s favorite stops.