Passport to Texas

This is Passport to Texas

Lone Star College-Kingwood in Houston is transforming 100 acres of its private wetlands into a public nature area.

08—It’s just a beautiful piece of habitat. It’s used by wading birds and waterfowl, amphibians and reptiles. They have beavers that live there.

Ron Jones is a biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which is helping fund the project. He says this kind of wetland habitat has become increasingly rare in the Houston area.

04—Most of the habitat around it has disappeared. It’s kind of an island.

Lone Star College sustainability coordinator David Burre (Bur-ee) says over the next year and a half, the college plans to enhance an existing trail and create three boardwalks as observation decks and outdoor classrooms. Volunteers will remove invasive plants like Chinese tallow and Japanese honeysuckle that are out-competing native species.

Yet, it’s not just about creating a place where people can enjoy nature today.

12—We’re looking at what it is we need to do now to ensure that the resources are available for future generations. I kind of like to say that sustainability is living in the now for tomorrow.

Through the project, Burre says, not only students, but the whole community will be able to learn the importance of conservation.

That’s our show… the Wildlife Restoration program supports our series, working to preserve habitat in Texas… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

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