Armand Bayou Nature Center

I have volunteered at Armand Bayou Nature Center since 1995. It's a beautiful 2,500 acre nature preserve with a wonderful variety of sights and volunteer activities to keep anyone engaged. The mission of the Center is truly inspirational.

First, the natural environment is great. The nature center covers grassland, bayou, and wooded areas. Wildlife is abundant. The native grasses are majestic. Second, the professionals and volunteers are wonderful people. Experts abound, and I learn something new every time I volunteer. Third, opportunities are quite diverse. There are inside jobs, outside jobs, working with kids, solo projects, and more. There are even off-site community outreach programs. Lots of chances to apply old skills or learn new ones. Finally, volunteering here makes a huge tangible difference. For example, a short walk through the prairie shows the cumulative effort of many years and many, many volunteer hours of restoration work. I always go home feeling like I made a difference.

ARMAND BAYOU NATURE CENTER IS A GREAT PLACE TO EXCAPE THE CITY NOISE WITHIN THE CITY. I LIKE TO WORK ON THE PRAIRIE RESTORATION. WE HAVE ONE OF THE LAST TALL GRASS PRAIRIES LEFT IN THE AREA. ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS ARE THE SPRING WILDFLOWERS. ABNC IS ON A MAJAR FLY WAY FOR MIGRATING BIRDS. VOLUNTEERING AT ABNC IS A GREAT WAY TO LEARN ABOUT NATURE AND BE WITH FOLKS WHO CARE TOO.

The ABNC is an incredible wild oasis in the middle of a highly developed area. It runs on a very modest budget and volunteer labor is very welcome and appreciated. We teach classes, work with antique tools, plant prairie grasses, work as boathands,and clear trails. Spending time out there is very satisfying and rewarding. I can't imagine living in the area and not spending some time out there.

From the first time I set foot on ABNC ground, I knew it was the start of a special relationship. This is a wonderful place with three very precious ecosystems that are carefully tended by a small team of staff and a bunch dedicated volunteers. I was proud to join their ranks and after 4 years am still as enthusiastic as I was on day one. I cannot wait until I retire to spend more time there. If you like the outdoors, or being indoors there are volunteer opportunities in abundance, planting precious grasses, chopping tallow,guiding visitors on the trails, telling folks about the farm or the garden or doing some sort of nature demo are just a few of the things you could get involved in. If you have never been to the nature center I recommend you go and walk the discovery loop or take a trail hike - I am sure you'll be hooked.

Well organized effort to restore the coastal prairie at ABNC, with different opportunities depending on a person's skills and capabilities. Great team of people to work with. Also opportunities to provide education to the general public and students. Also a great place to build your personal knowledge from both the ABNC employees and the diverse volunteers.