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Houston Audubon Acquires 100-Acre Peach Creek Sanctuary

**Houston Audubon Acquires 100 Acres for New Peach Creek Woods Sanctuary, Securing Unique Ecosystems and Critical Wildlife Habitat in Montgomery County**

**MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX – May 20, 2024** – Houston Audubon today announced the establishment of its newest protected area, the Audubon Peach Creek Woods Sanctuary, following the successful acquisition of 100 acres in northeast Montgomery County. The organization officially closed on the $3.2 million property in late April, culminating a preservation effort that began with a purchase contract in 2022 and a public fundraising campaign launched in May 2023.

The new sanctuary, located near Grangerland, borders Peach Creek, a vital waterway that flows into Caney Creek and eventually the San Jacinto River. This acquisition represents a significant victory for conservation, safeguarding a rare ecological gem amidst rapid development pressures in the region.

At the heart of the Audubon Peach Creek Woods Sanctuary lies a stunning expanse of mature bottomland hardwood forest, an increasingly scarce habitat in Southeast Texas. Its most extraordinary feature is the *only known pitcher plant bog* in all of Montgomery County. This unique wetland ecosystem, characterized by its carnivorous pitcher plants, is a rare and delicate habitat supporting a specialized array of flora and fauna.

“The preservation of Peach Creek Woods is absolutely critical,” stated Helen Drummond, Executive Director of Houston Audubon. “This sanctuary protects a truly unique pitcher plant bog and a pristine bottomland hardwood forest, habitats that are rapidly disappearing. With development encroaching throughout Montgomery County, securing land like this is vital for the health of our natural environment and the quality of life for our communities.”

The sanctuary serves as a crucial haven for a diverse range of wildlife, particularly migratory birds relying on these rich forest environments during their arduous journeys. Species such as the Swainson’s Warbler, Wood Thrush, Kentucky Warbler, and Prothonotary Warbler will find essential breeding and stopover habitat here. Beyond birds, the woods are home to mammals like bobcats and river otters, as well as numerous amphibians and reptiles.

Furthermore, the Peach Creek Woods Sanctuary plays a significant role in regional ecological connectivity. Its proximity to the vast Sam Houston National Forest helps create a larger, more resilient wildlife corridor, facilitating movement and genetic exchange for various species. Critically, the protected bottomland also offers invaluable natural flood mitigation benefits for downstream communities by absorbing and slowing floodwaters.

The ambitious acquisition was made possible through a broad collaborative effort and substantial financial support. Major funding partners included The Conservation Fund, the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation, the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation, the Kinder Foundation, and the Jacob and Terese Hershey Foundation. Additional support came from a multitude of private donors and a significant boost from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Land and Water Conservation Fund program.

Houston Audubon plans to eventually open the sanctuary to the public, offering opportunities for nature exploration and environmental education. Over the next one to two years, the organization intends to develop nature trails and install educational signage, allowing visitors to experience and learn about this incredible piece of Texas wilderness firsthand.

For more information on the Audubon Peach Creek Woods Sanctuary and Houston Audubon’s conservation efforts, visit their website at [Link to Houston Audubon website, e.g., www.houstonaudubon.org].

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