Sanctuary For The Species
For more than 50-years, the Houston Audubon Society’s mission is to advance the conservation of birds with its bird sanctuaries, educational programs, and experiences for people of all ages. The society owns and manages 17 nature sanctuaries totaling 3,400 acres throughout the Houston-Galveston area. The freshwater ponds, forest canopy, and sub-canopy offer migrating bird species a welcome respite and a perfect place for bird watchers of the human sort.
Out of the 17 sanctuaries, the Rookery at Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary in High Island added an impressive “bird’s-eye” viewing experience in the spring of 2020. The $2.3 million nature tourism enhancement, funded by John P. McGovern Foundation, features a 700-foot-long elevated boardwalk with various levels, some as high as 20-feet above ground, for human species to view bird species.
Boardwalk Design
Designed to complement the sanctuary’s natural setting, it is the first elevated walkway for the most popular birding destination in the nation. “We believe this unique experience will attract even more birders, photographers, and nature enthusiasts to the Upper Texas Coast,” said Helen Drummond, Executive Director of the Houston Audubon.
The designers, architecture firm SWA, noted that camouflage was an essential consideration in their design. “The client asked that it not ‘stand out,’ so we were careful not to disturb the birds and other wildlife,” said Natalia Beard, principal at SWA. The firm chose materials that will blend in with the surrounding vegetation.
According to SWA, “support structures needed to be resilient to withstand the salt air…”, which made Ultra-tec cable railing and Invisiware® fixtures a perfect fit. Ultra-tec products are made of recycled materials in a state-of-the-art facility and qualify for LEED credits. Stainless-steel is composed of corrosion-resistant properties and often chosen for projects near salt-water with high humidity, such as the Houston Audubon bird sanctuary walkway.
The well thought out design and chosen material of the walkway offer a unique viewing of every day to rare bird species and an educational platform for all ages, withstanding the harsh environment for years to come.
