Houston Audubon Acquires 128-Acre Peach Creek Woods Nature Sanctuary

The new protected land will preserve critical habitat for migratory and resident birds in the rapidly growing Montgomery County region.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Houston Audubon has announced the acquisition of a 128-acre property in Montgomery County, Texas, which will be permanently protected as the new Peach Creek Woods Nature Sanctuary. The land features a mix of pine and hardwood forest along the Peach Creek riparian corridor, providing essential habitat for a variety of bird species in a region that has seen significant population growth in recent years.

Why it matters

The Peach Creek Woods Nature Sanctuary will help conserve important bird habitat in the rapidly developing Montgomery County area, ensuring that migratory and resident bird species have a protected natural space to thrive. As one of Houston Audubon's 18 sanctuaries, the new property expands the organization's footprint of preserved land across the Upper Texas Coast.

The details

The 128-acre Peach Creek Woods property was bequeathed to Houston Audubon by Thomas Lee Maddux, a retired educator and lifelong conservationist who passed away in 2025. Maddux was known for his dedication to environmental stewardship and advocacy for preservation efforts in Texas and Colorado. The sanctuary features a mix of pine and hardwood forest along the Peach Creek riparian corridor, which is essential for local water quality and wildlife diversity. Houston Audubon plans to open the sanctuary to the public in early 2027 after making improvements to allow for safe and sustainable access.

  • Houston Audubon announced the new sanctuary on February 27, 2026.
  • The Peach Creek Woods Nature Sanctuary is expected to open to the public in early 2027.

The players

Houston Audubon

A non-profit organization dedicated to protecting habitat and providing nature experiences for people along the Upper Texas Coast.

Thomas Lee Maddux

A retired educator and lifelong conservationist who bequeathed the 128-acre Peach Creek Woods property to Houston Audubon.

Jed Aplaca

The president and CEO of Houston Audubon.

Pete Deichmann

The land conservation director for Houston Audubon.

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What they’re saying

“Protecting habitat for birds and providing nature experiences for people is more important than ever.”

— Pete Deichmann, Land Conservation Director, Houston Audubon (chron.com)

“By entrusting this land to Houston Audubon, Tom has ensured that his passion for the natural world will continue to inspire and provide a haven for wildlife for generations to come.”

— Jed Aplaca, President and CEO, Houston Audubon (chron.com)

What’s next

Houston Audubon plans to open the Peach Creek Woods Nature Sanctuary to the public in early 2027 after making improvements to allow for safe and sustainable access.

The takeaway

The acquisition of the 128-acre Peach Creek Woods property represents Houston Audubon's ongoing commitment to preserving critical bird habitat in the rapidly developing regions of the Upper Texas Coast, ensuring that migratory and resident species have protected natural spaces to thrive for generations to come.