January 2023
Note from the Nature Center

The new year is upon us, and the time for resolutions is right around the corner. Kleb Woods Nature Preserve is a great place to pursue those resolutions. There is something for everyone, whether you want to be more active, learn something new, start volunteering, or connect with nature. 
We value the opportunity to share this special place with you and can’t wait to see what 2023 has in store. There is always something new to discover in the preserve, and we hope you will visit often. Be sure to stop by the nature center to find out about upcoming programs and share your adventures with the staff.
Photos by Fred Collins and Frank Ferese
A Closer Look at Nature: Mammals in Your Backyard

Thursday, Jan. 5, 10 – 11 a.m. or 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.

Designed for school-aged children. Registration required. Click here for more information. 
History Discussion Group: The Road to San Jacinto

Thursday, Jan. 12, 9 – 11 a.m.

Suitable for adults and older students with a keen interest in history. Click here for more information. 
Senior Birding Bus Trip: Williamson County

Friday, Jan. 13, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Free for those 50 and older. Registration required. Click here for more information.
Into the Woods
Citizen Science

This year, our New Year’s resolution for the park is interactive! We invite you to join us in our goal to contribute more to citizen science while exploring the preserve’s biodiversity. Mobile apps, such as iNaturalist and eBird, allow visitors to record observations and contribute to conservation in our area and beyond. Staff and visitors documented more than 400 species in the preserve on iNaturalist in 2022.
 
Anyone can participate, from beginners to experts. For those most interested in birds, Merlin is a useful app for beginners, while eBird is great for those with more experience. iNaturalist and Seek allow users to create records of plants or animals by snapping a picture and uploading it to the app. Then, a community of naturalists, biologists, and citizen scientists work to identify it. You can help them by ensuring your picture is in focus and taking photos from multiple angles. Users can also submit sound recordings for identification.
 
While we focus on recording species within the preserve, you can submit sightings from anywhere in the world. We hope to add many new species to our list this year with the help of new observers in the park. Stop by the nature center to get help submitting your observations or share your sightings with the staff.  
Photos by Megan Ahlgren
Are you interested in contributing to citizen science? Which tools interest you?
a. eBird/Merlin
b. iNaturalist/Seek
c. All of the above
d. I'm already familiar with these apps
e. I'm not interested
Discussion Preview:
On April 16, 1836, Sam Houston came to a crossroads in the small community of New Kentucky. One road led east to safety, and the other toward Harrisburg and Santa Anna’s army. Sam Houston changed the course of the revolution when he decided to march to Harrisburg, known today as Houston. Days later, his army defeated Santa Anna in the Battle of San Jacinto, and Texas became an independent republic. Houston’s historic decision was made just a few miles from Kleb Woods, at the present-day site of Precinct 4’s New Kentucky Park.
Join guest speaker Kyle Stallones on Thursday, Jan. 12, from 9 – 11 a.m. to discuss the events leading to Texas’ independence, our local history, and nearby landmarks you can still visit today.
Discussion groups are best suited for adults and older students with a keen interest in history.



Above: Historical Marker - Harris County Historical Commission - Jim Fisher
Volunteer Spotlight
We held our annual potluck celebration for the Kleb Woods volunteers in December.

Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to get together and share good food and merriment. The North Harris County Dulcimer Society provided festive live music.
Our volunteers help make Kleb Woods Nature Preserve a special place, and they would love to have your help! Join them by visiting the nature center on Tuesdays from 8 a.m. – noon. For more information, email us at klebwoods@hcp4.net.

Photos: Kendra Kocab