August 2022
Note from the Nature Center

Wild animals may seem scarce at the preserve in August, but like us, most are just trying to escape the heat. You’ll notice a little more activity if you visit the preserve in the early morning or evening hours when animals are more active. If you’re lucky, you may even see an armadillo, raccoon, opossum, or swamp rabbit. Since these critters are mostly nocturnal, they can be tricky to spot during the day.
You can also avoid the heat by visiting our shady woodland trails. If you prefer to sit back and relax, the covered porch of the nature center is a great place to watch birds and squirrels enjoying our feeders and water features. The nearby Walter’s Pond is a refuge for frogs and dragonflies, and the flower beds attract plenty of fluttering butterflies.

Part of the fun is never knowing what you might find on the trail. We’d love for you to share what you see and hear out in the preserve. We hope you will stop by the nature center to cool off and share your adventures.

Photos: BeaAnn Kelly and Kendra Kocab
History Discussion Group – Archeological Discovery at Dimond Knoll

Thursday, Aug. 11, 9 – 11 a.m.

Suitable for adults and older students with a keen interest in history. Click here for more information.
Discovery Days – An Avian Adventure, Live Birds of Prey with Houston Audubon 

Thursday, Aug. 25, 10 – 11 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Designed for school-aged children. Registration required. Click here for more information.
Senior Birding Bus Trip – Shorebirds and Moody Gardens

Friday, Aug. 26, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Free for those 50 and older. Registration required. Click here for more information.
Into the Woods
The Sound of Summer

Few things say summertime like watermelon and cold lemonade, but cicadas practically scream it. They emit droning calls throughout the day and late into the evening that are instantly recognizable to anyone who’s spent time outdoors. But if you listen closely, you’ll notice they don’t all sound the same. Each species makes a distinct call. And with more than a dozen documented species in Harris County, you’ll have many varieties to discover and identify at the preserve.

Cicadas spend much of their lives underground, up to 17 years, although most emerge in two to five years. When they are ready to transform, usually in the high heat of summer, cicada nymphs burrow out of the ground and emerge from their exoskeletons, leaving behind a perfect cast of their previous form. Many of us have seen these stuck to trees, fence posts, and other objects. If you’re feeling adventurous, they make a fun “nature badge” to stick to your shirt on a hike through the woods.

Photo: Amber Leung
Tell Us What You Think
Photo: Frank Hudspeth
Which pond or wetland at Kleb Woods is your favorite for wildlife watching?
Walter’s Pond
Myrtle’s Pool
Moccasin Marsh
Elmer’s Pond
Discussion Preview:
Discovery at Dimond Knoll

While investigating the route of the proposed Grand Parkway in 1996, the Texas Department of Transportation uncovered one of the most significant archeological discoveries in Harris County. Commonly called Dimond Knoll, the site along Cypress Creek featured more than 1,000 artifacts, including stone tools.
After excavation began in 2012, the Houston Archeological Society organized an outreach program that brought volunteers from across the state to help screen for artifacts. The findings shed new light on the area’s history, indicating that humans had seasonally occupied the area for at least 11,500 years.

Want to learn more? Join Sharon Menegaz on Thursday, Aug. 11, from 9 – 11 a.m. for a discussion on the artifacts, the people who used them, and the outreach program. This discussion is best suited for adults and older students with a keen interest in history.

Photos: Linda Gorski
Volunteer Spotlight
Kleb Woods Nature Preserve features a variety of programs and events throughout the year, from festivals to school field trips to presentations. These programs wouldn’t be the same without our volunteers, who recently helped present Discovery Days: Being a Blacksmith. Families saw a blacksmith in action and tried their hand at cold-forging metal. 
Have you ever looked at the metalwork around the preserve? Much of it was made by our volunteer blacksmith. If you enjoy your experience at Kleb Woods, thank our volunteers! Join them by visiting the nature center on Tuesdays from 8 a.m. – noon. You can also volunteer at our Hummingbird Festival on Saturday, Sept. 10. To volunteer, email us at klebwoods@hcp4.net.

Photo: Amber Leung
Results of Last Month's Your Knowledge Test

Which of these is the smallest dragonfly in our area?

  • The correct answer is little blue dragonlet

Poll Results
12.8% of you chose blue corporal
51.1% of you chose little blue dragonlet
36.2% of you chose blue dasher
Harris County Precinct 4
Commissioner R. Jack Cagle

Thank you for reading this monthly newsletter from the staff at Kleb Woods Nature Preserve & Center. I hope you learned something new about our services, activities, and programs.

As your county commissioner, I’m proud of the work your Precinct 4 staff and volunteers perform every day to improve access to greenspaces. We pledge to continue this service in the future. 

Please stay tuned for our next issue to learn more about the events, activities, and news at Kleb Woods!