The Armand Bayou Nature Center in Pasadena, Texas, has recently expanded its preserve by acquiring 1,147 acres from ExxonMobil. This acquisition brings its total area to 3,947 acres, furthering a 50-year collaboration between the Nature Center, Harris County, and ExxonMobil.
A New Chapter in Land Conservation
The newly acquired land, formerly known as the Clear Lake Oil Field, will be restored to its natural state as Texas coastal tallgrass prairie and riparian forest. This restoration effort aims to provide safe habitats for local wildlife, enhance flood mitigation, improve water purification and increase carbon sequestration.
Strong Partnerships and Innovative Funding
Harris County contributed over $6.5 million to this project, with Armand Bayou Nature Center adding nearly $5.5 million. Funding sources included the RESTORE Act, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s Galveston Bay Estuary Program, and private contributions from notable foundations such as the Knobloch Family Foundation, Brown Foundation, Fondren Foundation, Cullen Foundation, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, and the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory. ExxonMobil also agreed to sell the land for approximately half the appraised market value as their contribution to the project.
Community Impact and Environmental Benefits
Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia highlighted the dual benefits of the expansion, stating that the project protects communities from flooding while preserving natural systems that enhance quality of life in the county. ExxonMobil’s Vice President of Environmental & Property Solutions, Bill Jurney, emphasized the company’s commitment to environmental care and community well-being in the Houston area.
This expansion is one of the largest land conservation deals in Harris County’s recent history and underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in environmental preservation and flood resilience.
The People Behind the Project
North American Conservation Partners began consulting on this project in April 2019. Mike Lange and associates and partners helped Armand Bayou Nature Center staff navigate the acquisition and negotiations with ExxonMobil and helped Tim Pylate, the Executive Director of the Nature Center bring together supporters. Tim was a driving force behind the project, working tirelessly toward this long term goal until completion.
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