Baytown Nature Center
Progressive civic planning turned an abandoned subdivision (a victim of sub- sidence and Hurricane Alicia) into a community gathering place dedicated to the protection and preservation of the ecosystem. The city of Baytown purchased the 450-acre peninsula with the goal of restoring the native wetland habitat and its avian and aquatic species. Located along the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, the nature center also has a butterfly garden, children’s discovery center, event pavilions, and dedicated picnic and paddling areas. It’s a shining example of how communities can forgo new development in favor of rehabbing existing areas to their natural, enjoyable habitats.
