Willowbend Civic Club - Houston

07/24/2026

The more you know…!

Tropical Storm Bertha Report July 23rd - a storm band that passed over the Greenway in late afternoon dumped 3.96 inches of rain in a 2 hour period. This took the Willow Waterhole Bayou stream to 54.16 feet above sea level. The top of bank on the Bayou just upstream of Scout Lake measures at 54.20 feet. So, water stayed within the banks, it did spillover at the weir into Scout Lake, which is at 50.00 feet. Another rainfall event where the flood control structures came into play.

07/15/2026

🌿 It's time for another edition of Wildlife Wednesday at Willow Waterhole!

This week we're featuring a photo from our own Conservation Educator, Austin Perez, of a Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus). 🖤

Did you know? Those bright red and yellow patches on the male's shoulders are called epaulets, and they are not just for show. Males use them to defend their territory, flashing the color to warn off rivals. Red-winged Blackbirds are famously bold defenders of their nests and will chase off birds, and even people, many times their size.

Females look completely different from males, with streaky brown feathers that make them easy to mistake for a large sparrow. If you spot one along the bayou, take a moment to appreciate just how different the two sexes of this species really are.

📸 Spotted some great wildlife on your visits? Drop them in the comments or send us a message, and include your name so we can credit you.

Thanks to Austin for this week's photo, and thanks to all of you for celebrating the wild side of our greenspace with us!
See you next Wednesday!

07/15/2026

07/03/2026

Happy Fourth of July! 🎆

This year we're celebrating two milestones: 250 years of American independence, and 25 years of the Willow Waterhole Greenway.

Over the past 25 years, this greenway has grown into 291 acres of nature, habitat, and community, built through the dedication of neighbors, volunteers, and partners. Here's to the next 25 years! 💚🎇

07/02/2026

It’s Dumb Baby Season! This is the time of year when young animals are starting to explore the world, and because they’re babies, they are awkward and inexperienced. For example, young Cooper’s Hawks are just learning to hunt on their own and often miss their targets and crash-land. They are also extremely curious and haven’t yet developed a healthy fear of humans and dogs. Please give these silly youngsters plenty of space and, if you see them fail, let them figure out a solution on their own. They need to learn their limits in order to survive, so the best thing you can do for them is to leave them alone!

📸 sherseydc

07/02/2026

There will be no interruption in curbside collection on Friday, July 3. SWMD facilities will operate regular hours on Friday, and all facilities will be closed on Saturday, July 4 for Independence Day. https://ayrs.io/nHPVQ9

06/18/2026

It's time for another edition of Wildlife Wednesday at Willow Waterhole!

This week we're featuring Heather Whitby's photo of a Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos), the official state bird of Texas and one of the most talented singers in our backyard. 🎶

Did you know? A single Northern Mockingbird can learn and mimic the songs of up to 200 other bird species over its lifetime! Males are especially impressive, sometimes singing through the night during breeding season. If you've heard what sounds like a dozen different birds coming from one spot, it was probably a Mockingbird showing off.

Year-round residents here in Houston, Mockingbirds are bold, curious, and not shy about defending their territory. Keep an eye (and an ear!) out for them on your next visit to Willow Waterhole. 💚🌾

📸 Spotted some great wildlife on your visits? Drop them in the comments or send us a message, and include your name so we can credit you.

Thanks to Heather for this week's photo, and thanks to all of you for celebrating the wild side of our greenspace with us!
See you next Wednesday!

06/18/2026

Welcome to Houston! 😎 Cool people. 🤗 Warm hospitality. 🥵 HOT SUMMERS ❗️🥵
Please be weather aware this week. Temperatures will reach the high ‘90’s and the Heat Index will feel closer to 110 degrees. Hydrate and follow safety precautions from local public safety partners.

06/07/2026

Email from Houston City Council District K Keep Up With What's Happening in our Community Dear District K Friends: On behalf of the City of Houston and District K, I am thrilled to welcome families

06/04/2026

🌿 It's time for another edition of Wildlife Wednesday at Willow Waterhole!

This week we're spotlighting Irena Becir's photo of a Sweet Acacia (Vachellia farnesiana), a Texas native you might catch covered in clusters of golden, puffball-like flowers. 🌼

Did you know? The Sweet Acacia's blooms are so wonderfully fragrant they've been cultivated in southern France for use in perfume! Closer to home, those same sweet-smelling flowers make this tree a magnet for native bees and butterflies, while its branches offer shelter and seeds for birds and other wildlife.

Drought-tough and pollinator-friendly, the Sweet Acacia is a small but mighty part of the habitat we work to protect here at Willow Waterhole. 🐝

📸 Spotted one on your visit? We'd love to feature your photos! Drop them in the comments or send us a message, and include your name so we can credit you.

Thanks to Irena for this week's photo, and thanks to all of you for celebrating the wild side of our greenspace with us! 💚🌾
See you next Wednesday!