PUBLISHED: July 2026 by Lauren Berman
Photos taken by Lauren Berman.
The process of developing new habitats that enhance our Bayou Greenways trails and support local wildlife requires many steps, from planning, prep work, and planting to continued maintenance afterwards. In 2025, from a grant provided by CITGO, the HPB Conservation & Maintenance team was able to begin a brand-new native landscape intended to support pollinators.
September 2025
Eliminating large patches of turf grass, such as Bermuda, provides the Conservation Team an easy blank slate to develop new projects sites, incuding the River Drive Trailhead pollinator landscape.
October 2025
With the help of our amazing volunteers and staff, 2,500 native forbs and grasses were installed. The species planted were chosen not only for their aesthetics, but also because they are native to Houston and adapted to our coastal ecosystems.
May 2026
After only six months, the plants of the River Drive pollinator landscape are thriving. By providing better habitat for insects, including pollinators, we’re also ensuring local bird populations have a great food source. You will frequently see various native bees like Leaf-cutter Bees, Bumble Bees, and Sweat Bees buzzing around. There are also many butterflies, like Monarchs, who love the nectar from Sharp.
In this photo, you can see Lanceleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata), Sharp Blazingstar (Liatris acidota), Hairy Small-leaf Ticktrefoil (Desmodium ciliare), and Texas Coneflower (Rudbeckia texana).
In this photo on the right you can see Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium), Gulf Vervain (Verbena xutha), Texas Coneflower (Rudbeckia texana), and a tiny Firewheel (Gaillardia pulchella) in the right-hand corner.
Below are close-ups of some flower blooms (from left to right):
Sharp Blazingstar, Lanceleaf Coreopsis, Texas Coneflower, Gulf Vervain
