Preserving our urban forests improves every aspect of Houstonians quality of life. The Spring Creek watershed currently contains tens of thousands of acres of bottomland hardwood forest, providing home to wildlife, creating recreation opportunities, reducing flooding, and improving air quality.

Wow, forests do all of that?! We better hold onto them!

This website section explores the ecology of Spring Creek, and its flora and fauna.

"Spring Creek is alive with wildlife above and below the water." - Dennis Johnston, Harris County Pct 4 Birdwatching The forests along Spring Creek provide a crucial stopover point for migratory songbirds, where they can rest and refuel after crossing the Gulf of Mexico on their annual spring migration from Central and South America. Other birds winter here, such as white pelicans, (others), while still others live along the creek and in the adjacent forests year-round. People come from all over the world to see a little brown bird found here, the Swainson’s warbler. And now, Spring Creek has the easternmost pair of green kingfishers ever documented. That is a testimony to the creek's water quality because this species requires clean water. (Photo copyright (c) 2006 Michael Gray) Ecology Long-time naturalist at Jesse Jones Park, Carmine Stahl, gives his take on Spring Creek: In many places, Spring Creek would be called a river. Where it joins the San Jacinto, it is as wide as the river itself. It's the most pristine stream in the Houston area, and it's bordered with a wonderful montage of plants. It's almost like a rain forest along its bank. Big magnolias rise above bay trees, river birches, willows, and lots of other thick vegetation. Horsetail reeds grow on the banks. There is a very rich population of animals along the creek, also. Often you can see deer crossing in shallow places. River otter slides are along the banks, and there are lots of raccoons, opossums, and many other creatures that can be seen at night. This stream is rich with many species of fish. Pileated woodpeckers and kingfishers fly from side to side, and many other birds cross the creek. And the amazing thing is that it is just a short distance from the big city of Houston! Fishing White bass migrate through during springtime, and you can catch catfish, crappie, and bass year-round. Butterflies Legacy Land Trust and Butterfly Enthusiasts of Southeast Texas (BEST) host a Butterfly Count at Montgomery County Preserve every June. LLT and BEST (a chapter of the North American Butterfly Association - NABA) started to hold their 4th annual Butterfly Count on Jun 17, 2006 but the weather had other plans. Farrar Stockton, a butterfly expert, led a pre-count talk to share details about the Houston area's numerous native butterflies. History Across from Jesse Jones Park, just upstream from where Spring Creek runs into the San Jacinto River, lies a freshwater spring on a high bluff that naturalists and anthropologists believe to be the 'Springs of Santa Rosa,' written about in historical accounts of Spanish explorers. The Springs of Santa Rosa was the homesite for the Akokisa Indians that lived in the region. Although anthropologists have not yet explored it, the spot is a registered historic site with the Texas Historical Commission. However, the land was just sold to a developer. Read more about Spring Creek's fascinating History! This section provides links to other regional nature parks, government and nonprofit organizations that may be helpful.

Want to learn more about edible plants that grow in our local woods? Native Americans have relied on some of these plants since time immemorial, and what better way than to learn from Papa Stahl. Author of Trees of Texas and long-time naturalist at Jesse Jones Park & Nature Center, Carmine Stahl has graciously allowed us permission to reprint sections of his booklet, Papa Stahl's Wild Stuff Cookbook. Roll up your sleeves and dig in!   Time and again, research has shown that which benefits fish and wildlife, and that which improves the environment that sustains us -- including the air, the water, the forest and the wildlife - also benefits humankind in terms of health, finances and quality of life. Forests and trees: Increase real estate values and community pride Improve air quality and reduce pollution Lower air temperatures. Buffer against flooding Cool Houston and lower your AC bill Improve health, & aid illness recovery Learn more about the many Benefits of Trees, and how they help you in ways you've never realized.   If you think plants and trees are boring, imagine life without them - no yards, no trees, no houseplants, no vegetables, no bread, no wood to build homes with. It would be a very boring world indeed. So read up about some of the other interesting properties of thetrees you never gave a second thought to, until now. Though not entirely comprehensive -- there are over 100 trees in the region! -- this Spring Creek Tree Guide will tell you interesting facts about many of the trees you may come across on your forays into these woods. It also includes a select few shrubs. Several schools - including elementary, middle, and high school - have taken field trips to Spring Creek, learning about butterflies, flora & fauna, and water safety and paddlesports, among other things. Visit our Education Page.