What we’re about
If you love camping, backpacking, kayaking, paddleboarding, nature walks, hiking, biking, fishing, geocaching, photography, outdoor cooking, birding, wildlife viewing, travel, and anything else outdoors... Plus, if you enjoy throwing in some cultural activities, cooking, movie nights, and other one off events with fun people, NEO is for you!
If you like fun volunteer opportunities working with schools and the community to teach others how to enjoy nature and the great outdoors, we have that too! Welcome to NEO (Nature & Eclectic Outdoors)!
NEO is a Texas based 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to helping people of all ages and backgrounds lead more outdoor oriented lives for better health, happiness, and life balance. Check out our website at www.NEOproject.org!
NEO events are open to everyone, and most activities are family, kid, and pet friendly! Events are free or low cost! We supplement our regular outdoor events with amazing cultural opportunities and affordable travel adventures. Our goal is to make outdoor activities and incredible travel events accessible to everyone.
Check out our social media!
www.facebook.com/neoprojecttx
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8GcPNuyaQkWTkUudq1qrYcR7vuI_YlQW
www.twitter.com/neoprojecttx
www.instagram.com/neoprojecttx
www.linkedin.com/company/neoprojecttx
www.pinterest.com/neoprojecttx
We love being outdoors! We want to make sure everyone has the chance to experience hiking, camping, backpacking, cycling, kayaking, geocaching, and anything else they would like to try out. We love to travel and get out of the hustle and bustle of the city, and we want others to have this opportunity to travel with us in a safe and relaxed environment.
NEO may host an all day hike at Brazos Bend State Park, a weekend camp at Pedernales Falls, or a cool mid-week night hike at Memorial Park. You could even find us introducing members to the Colorado Rockies on a long weekend! Whatever NEO does, we’re going to make some new friends, create amazing lifelong memories, and have a blast!
NEO has several special initiatives described on our website atwww.neoproject.org, but one initiative in particular has gained us incredible respect and notoriety. Through our “Wilderness Kids” initiative, NEO encourages kids and families to get off the couch, away from the video games and cell phones, and OUTSIDE. With the help of contributions and donations, NEO hosts events and clinics designed to teach kids necessary skills for enjoying outdoor activities and thriving in the natural world. Kids develop leadership and teamwork skills while learning about water safety, hiking, camping, nature and wildlife, and much more! They are also introduced to people from all walks of life and from all over the world, giving them a broader understanding of the world and cultures around them.
We partner with schools, businesses, and other organizations to facilitate field trips, on campus events, and team builders. We also host private events that help support our nonprofit mission. Get in touch with us today to discuss these special programs and events.
If you would like to learn more about becoming involved in our NEO Volunteer Corps helping out at fun community outreach events and in our school partnerships, email us at contact@neoproject.org!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- High Island bird watching and nature walk $10Kroger Signature West U, Houston, TX
NEOs mission: NEO is dedicated to helping people of all ages and backgrounds lead more active outdoor-oriented lives for better health, happiness, and wellbeing. https://youtu.be/YLPJrHs5PCk?list=TLGGYXrB28dE2rIxNjAzMjAyMg
For those who want to START a carpool from Kroger parking lot on Buffalo Speedway and Westpark, post a comment and fill out the "carpool" form to start. Dropped pin
https://maps.app.goo.gl/G4wAwjq6ZbQDvYnFA
5150 Buffalo Speedway Houston Texas 77005Start a carpool with this link
https://groupcarpool.com/t/gmu8vxOther wise we meet @ 9am Smith Oaks sanctuary restroom 2205 Old Mexico rd High Island TX 77623 pic posted.
11am-1130am is "Rookery talk" on the Smith Oaks Canopy Walkway. Meet at the "Pump house pavillion"The Houston Audubon's High Island location is known around the world for its spring migration of birds (Smith Oaks Sanctuary 29.568436, -94.389191 and Boy Scout Woods Sanctuary 29.561959,-94.390426 ) $10 day pass for both, $30 yearly patch 2024) April should be the peak of the spring season there (mid-March to mid-May). Smith Oaks built a boardwalk in 2021, bringing folks closer to the treetops.
Cell phone & internet service will be spotty to none. Communicating through the Meetup app MIGHT not work well enough. Sharing my location MIGHT work. I'll post it @ 7am while in Houston. I hope we can visit a bit together but it could be tricky finding one another AFTER 9am, so plan on enjoying the properties with birders from around the world. Lookout for me wearing an orange Houston Dynamo hat.
Ask folks, while at the sanctuaries, where they are visiting from and at the end of the day post in the comments. Let's see who can have a chat with the farthest visitor.
Download site maps ahead of time.
https://houstonaudubon.org/sanctuaries/high-island/boy-scout-woods.htmlhttps://houstonaudubon.org/sanctuaries/high-island/smith-oaks.html .
1st parking option for Smith Oaks Dropped pin
https://maps.app.goo.gl/vm4UvrL2wQtvFV8G92nd Parking option for Smith oaks Dropped pin
https://maps.app.goo.gl/9A715SfgfopQ7ooz9Parking Boy Scout woods Dropped pin
https://maps.app.goo.gl/yeu17Wq2D8kGTGjd8Restrooms at Boy Scout woods & at Smith Oaks.
Picnic tables at Smith Oaks for whatever lunch you bring.
On your way back to Houston swing by Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) Friends of Anahuac Refuge nature center ($FREE) 30 minute drive from High Island. 29.612931,-94.533877 The ANWR has a nice boardwalk with which to walk through the tall grasses. 29.607105,-94.556122 You might spot an alligator driving around the pond.
Many of you may already know this, but for new birdwatchers, here are some birdwatching etiquette suggestions:
From the Houston Audubon website, "Try not to point, wave your arms or get too close to birds
Birdwatching is a social activity (at least for us!), but try to keep the talk a little quieter
Especially during migration (March - April), be mindful that birdwatching is a serious activity for some people - they're either professional photographers or traveled a long way to get here including from other countries."
It could be busy in regards to parking and we might have to walk a bit after we park. I don't know of places to eat around High Island (it's a very small town) so bring a lunch and snacks. St. Matthew's Methodist Church
(409) 286-5164
https://maps.app.goo.gl/q3D663hGtBp8Ds3eA , MIGHT have lunches for purchase. They are located between Boy Scout Woods and Smith Oaks sanctuary. (1 mile)The High Island sanctuaries are fee sites ($10 day pass, $30 yearly, 2024 access patch). The fee helps defray the costs of maintenance and improvements for the entire Houston Audubon sanctuary system. http://www.houstonaudubon.org/
http://houstonaudubon.org/sanctuaries/high-island/
CELL PHONE SERVICE WILL BE SPOTTY 713-783-8281 I'll answer texts BEFORE 9am Text messages might get through if calls do not. Hopefully meet @ 9am, otherwise enjoy the properties, look for me with an orange Houston Dynamo hat on.
High Island bird check list https://houstonaudubon.org/file_download/65f87e31-4efb-4be3-84e8-02bb6da5a10a
https://houstonaudubon.org/sanctuaries/sanctuary-policies.html
What you will need:
comfortable walking shoes
water
snacks
lunch
Binoculars (there might be some that we can share but if you have any friends or family with some, ask to borrow and bring theirs. We can still enjoy the area without them)
hat
sunscreen
mosquito spray
camera - Elevation - Hill and Stair Interval TrainingThe Water Works at Buffalo Bayou Park, Houston, TX
Welcome to a unique workout in the flatlands of Houston – Elevation Training using one of the few topographic features in Houston, Buffalo Bayou!
We start with a couple stations along the Bayou itself then go on to downtown and utilize the structures and monuments there. You may choose to go up and down the stairs as slow or fast as you want. This hike is meant to help you push a little and see your strength improve over time. There are 6 stops total, covering a distance of about 4.5 miles in about 90 minutes and, if you’re ambitious, can get about 1,000 feet of elevation gain!
I want to stress, this is a workout. You will need to wear tennis shoes and proper workout attire. Headlamps are desired in the winter, and water is especially needed in the summer. Be sure to dress for the weather, regardless!
The paths may be slippery, muddy, or dark.
No worries if you're running late. Just meet up with us along the route. Follow the link to see the route and stops:
Elevation Training Map
