Every weekend, thousands of Houstonians visit the Bayou Greenways, a network of over 100 miles of trails and thousands of acres of greenspace. These trails cater to cyclists, walkers, joggers, birders, and nature enthusiasts.
The Bayou Greenways initiative is a public-private partnership aimed at expanding these trails so that eventually, 1.5 million residents will live within 1.5 miles of a bayou trail. The Houston Parks Board spearheads this project, which also includes plans to restore the original prairie ecosystem of the Texas Coast using native plants.
Cyclists enjoy a ride with the downtown Houston skyline in view. Houston Parks Board
Yet, questions remain about the native plants that once thrived along Houston’s bayous and how many are still present in the city’s urban environment.
Eddie Garcia, a native Houstonian with heritage from one of the region’s original native nations, frequently addresses these questions. Garcia is an intersectional storyteller and nature guide who leads walks along the bayous.