Discover the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary
Spanning 17.5 acres of forest, wetlands, and native prairie, Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary provides a glimpse of Houston’s original natural beauty. Operated by the Houston Audubon Society, the sanctuary is an important educational and ecological site, and is a living tribute to its namesake, Edith Lotz Moore. The sanctuary’s historic log cabin, built by Edith and her husband during their tenure on the land, is a symbol of her commitment to preserving the land.
Today, visitors can explore hiking trails, admire the diverse plant and animal life, or participate in educational programs aimed at fostering environmental awareness. With hundreds of bird species recorded and a robust conservation program, the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary plays a significant role in Houston’s environmental landscape, providing a peaceful setting for exploration, education, and preservation.
The Legacy of Edith L. Moore
The Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary owes its existence to its namesake, Edith Lotz Moore, a dedicated conservationist who spent over four decades living on the land with her husband, Jesse.
The Moores purchased a vast 180-acre property in the 1930s, seeking refuge from the rapid urban development of Houston. Together, they harvested timber while carefully maintaining the ecological balance of the land, ensuring no tree smaller than eight inches in diameter was cut.
In 1932, they built a log cabin from the local loblolly pine, which still stands today as the centerpiece of the sanctuary. After their divorce in 1959, Edith continued to live in the cabin until her passing in 1975. Her deep love for the natural world inspired her to protect the land she had come to cherish. She generously donated 17.5 acres of her property to the Houston Audubon Society, with the condition that it would remain a nature preserve forever.
Houston Audubon’s Role at the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary
Since acquiring the land in 1975, the Houston Audubon Society has played a crucial role in maintaining and enhancing the sanctuary. The historic log cabin now functions as an education center, hosting environmental programs for both children and adults. Each year, more than 10,000 people participate in these programs, learning about native wildlife, conservation, and ecosystem restoration.
Additionally, the Houston Audubon Society uses the sanctuary as a base for its headquarters. This nonprofit organization plays a vital role in bird conservation across 11 Texas counties, and its presence at the sanctuary enhances the visitor experience through birding opportunities.
Conservation Efforts in Houston
Alongside its efforts in bird conservation across Texas, the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary is at the forefront of Houston’s local conservation efforts. Through habitat restoration projects, the sanctuary ensures that its ecosystems remain healthy and sustainable.
One of the key conservation efforts underway is the coastal prairie restoration project, which focuses on reintroducing native grasses and wildflowers to areas that have been degraded by urbanization. These prairie ecosystems play a crucial role in water filtration, soil health, and providing habitats for pollinators, small mammals, and birds.
Houston Audubon also runs a Natives Nursery at the sanctuary, which specializes in growing prairie grasses and wildflowers native to the Houston area. Plants from the nursery are available for purchase, allowing visitors to take part in conservation efforts by cultivating native plants in their own gardens.
The nursery’s efforts support Houston Audubon’s mission to promote bird-friendly communities and create sustainable environments where people and wildlife can thrive together.
Features of the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary
Wildlife
The sanctuary’s 17.5 acres of land support a wide variety of wildlife, including migratory songbirds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. As you walk along the well-maintained trails, you might spot white-tailed deer, butterflies, or one of the many species of birds that inhabit the sanctuary.
Rummel Creek and the sanctuary’s ponds also contain bullfrogs, turtles, and aquatic invertebrates, while forested areas offer sanctuary to species such as the Carolina Chickadee, Northern Cardinal, and seasonal migratory birds like the Yellow-crowned Night Heron.
Plant Life
In addition to its wildlife, the sanctuary has a diverse range of plant species. Loblolly Pine, American Elm, and White Oak trees dominate the canopy, while wildflowers and understory plants like Yaupon Holly and Eastern Redbud thrive below. These native plants are central to the Audubon Society’s coastal prairie restoration projects, providing essential habitats for wildlife.
Things to Do at Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary
Explore the Hiking Trails
There is a large network of hiking trails at the sanctuary, which weave through dense hardwood and pine forests, providing both leisurely strolls and more challenging hikes.
The 1.6 km loop trail is an easy route, ideal for birdwatching and photography. With shaded canopies, well-maintained paths, and creek-side views, each step on the trail offers a learning opportunity for visitors.
Maps are available to guide explorers through the trails, which are lined with interpretive signs providing information on the plants and wildlife that thrive in the sanctuary.
Enjoy Birdwatching
With nearly 200 bird species recorded, birdwatching is one of the most popular activities at the sanctuary. Resident species like the Northern Cardinal and Carolina Chickadee can be spotted year-round, while the spring and fall migrations bring in a variety of songbirds, warblers, and herons.
The sanctuary is particularly renowned for sightings of the Yellow-crowned Night Heron and Green Heron, making it a prime location for serious birdwatchers. The Houston Audubon Society regularly organizes birdwatching events, where expert guides help visitors identify species and understand their behaviors and habitats.
Visit the Log Cabin
A visit to the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary isn’t complete without exploring the historic log cabin built by Edith and Jesse Moore in 1932. Restored by the Houston Audubon Society, the cabin reflects the sustainable building practices of the early 20th century, constructed with local pine logs and reclaimed sandstone.
Visitors can tour the cabin, learn about its history, and attend events such as "Cabin, Coffee, and Conversation" sessions held monthly, where community members gather to discuss local wildlife and environmental conservation. The cabin also hosts seasonal nature programs and events.
Programs for All Ages
There are a wide variety of educational programs held at the sanctuary suitable for all ages. There are also those that are tailored specifically for adults or children.
For younger audiences, programs such as "Fledgling Friends" introduce children to the wonders of nature through hands-on activities, storytelling, and wildlife observations. The sanctuary also hosts homeschool classes focusing on topics like bird anatomy, plant identification, and ecosystem dynamics.
Adults can participate in guided birding tours, workshops on topics like sustainable gardening and wildlife conservation, and the popular “Wildscapes Workshop” that teaches how to create a bird-friendly backyard using native plants. The sanctuary’s education programs not only foster environmental awareness but also provide practical tools for participants to apply in their own gardens .
Photography Opportunities
The forested trails, wildflower meadows, and creek-side views offer a variety of backdrops for photographing native plants and wildlife. Visitors can capture close-up images of colorful songbirds or the majestic flight of herons over the creek.
The sanctuary’s wide variety of ecosystems allows photographers to experiment with different lighting conditions and compositions, making it a favorite spot for nature photography in Houston.
Attending Special Events at the Sanctuary
Throughout the year, the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary organizes a variety of special events that allow visitors to learn more about the city’s natural world while enjoying food, music, and social activities.
Popular events include the annual, family-friendly CreekFest and the Native Plant Society of Texas, with workshops that give hands-on experience in planting and caring for native species. The intention is that participants will go on to create wildlife-friendly environments in their own backyards.
Visiting the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary
The Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary is open to the public for free, Monday through Saturday from 7 am to 7 pm, and on Sundays from 9 am to 5 pm. However, the gates automatically lock at closing time, so visitors should ensure their cars are out of the Wilchester lot before closing, or they will have to wait until the next morning to retrieve their vehicles.
Visitors are welcome to explore the sanctuary's walking trails and birding spots, but those planning to visit in groups of seven or more must arrange for a guided tour in advance. This ensures minimal disruption to the sanctuary's delicate ecosystem. Note that certain activities, such as homeschool classes, social gatherings, or ceremonies, require prior approval from the sanctuary’s staff.
Sanctuary Rules and Guidelines
The sanctuary aims to maintain a peaceful environment where visitors can enjoy birdwatching, including the chance to view birds via a livestreaming bird camera set up by the Houston Audubon Society.
However, as a wildlife conservation area, Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary has specific rules to protect both visitors and the environment. These rules include:
- Stay on marked trails.
- Dogs are not permitted.
- Avoid activities that could disturb the wildlife, such as playing loud bird calls or using flash photography.
- Collecting existing, or introducing new plants and animals to the sanctuary is prohibited.
- Drones and other aerial vehicles are not allowed, and tripods should not block boardwalks or trails.
For visitors' safety, it's important to be cautious of natural hazards such as venomous snakes, mosquitoes, fire ants, and poison ivy. Additionally, boardwalks and trails can be slippery when wet, and tripping hazards like armadillo burrows may exist.
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