Conservation
Conservation & Maintenance
To protect Buffalo Bayou and its surrounding landscapes and wildlife, BBP works diligently to meticulously maintain the parks and trails along the waterway.
Whether it’s the wildflower meadows, rolling hills, or colorful perennial gardens, Buffalo Bayou Park’s natural beauty is something to behold.
Our organization is responsible for the care of Buffalo Bayou Park, with funding provided by the Downtown Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) #3. BBP also maintains the Buffalo Bayou Downtown trails and green spaces. On any given day, you will see our dedicated staff pruning plants, removing trash, and trimming trees.
Conservation Projects
BBP’s Conservation Team plays a critical role in the ongoing restoration and enhancement of the ten miles of Buffalo Bayou the organization stewards. Our primary conservation goals are to limit erosion along the bayou’s banks, promote native plant species, and enhance habitat for wildlife.
Collecting Data & Tracking Progress
The team utilizes an interactive GIS map to survey our management areas and annotate it based on present issues and treatments. Additionally, we are designing long-term data collection projects. Our permanent data collection plots in the park are 100 square meters, and we assess the vegetation of each plot multiple times per year to measure the success of our management based on changes in vegetation and habitat quality.
Stabilizing Streambanks
In collaboration with Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD), BBP completed a major vegetation project in Buffalo Bayou Park. Live willow stakes and a mix of hardwood trees and grasses were planted along 11 acres of the bayou’s edge. As the plants and trees grow, the vegetated cover will reduce erosion, build streambank stability, and contribute to valuable habitat for wildlife. In addition, biodegradable coir logs were installed at the top of the bank to slow surface water runoff and provide erosion protection.
Growing Greener
From fall 2024 through spring 2025, the maintenance and conservation teams completed multiple phases of a tree planting plan along Allen Parkway. The project so far has added over 400 new trees along the south bank trails from Shepherd Drive to Sabine Street. From Live Oaks and Loblolly Pines to Eastern Redbuds and Mexican Sycamores, the variety of species will ensure stable soils and a diverse ecology. Future phases of the planting plan are ongoing.
