Calling all bird lovers: Celebrate National Bird Day at Kleb Woods in Precinct 4

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Every Wednesday at 8:30 a.m., a small group of people, binoculars in hand, set out on the nearly 0.75-mile trail at Precinct 4’s Kleb Woods Nature Center. The trail is quiet. The only thing the visitors can hear is the soft hum of the highway and the crunch of leaves under their feet. But, if they’re still, they can hear what they came for—the occasional chirp of a bird hiding in the brush or flitting between the trees.


Every year, thousands of people visit Kleb Woods, located between Hockley and Tomball, with the hope of spotting some of the more than 200 bird species that live in the Harris County area. The center hosts both weekly bird walks and an annual hummingbird festival in September.


On a weekly bird walk in the winter, visitors can spot anything from sedge wrens and rufous hummingbirds to orange-crowned warblers, cedar waxwings, and great-horned owls. When someone spots a bird, they get to add it to the running list of nearly 50 recent bird sittings on the center’s wall.


A lifelong passion

Jennifer Backo has been visiting Kleb Woods and walking the trails since she retired in the mid-2000s, but she’s been birding since she was a teenager.

“I was with my parents in Williamsburg, New York. We were out walking at night, and a bird was singing. I didn’t know what it was, but I was curious,” said Backo.

The bird turned out to be a Northern Mockingbird, a rare sight in 1960s New York. She didn’t know it then, but that encounter would be her “spark bird,” a term used by birders to describe the first species that got them interested in birding.

Over time, Backo picked up bird identification books and learned more, keeping up with her passion for six decades. And, while Backo is an experienced birder, she still regularly joins the guided bird walks.

“It’s good to be out with people who share your same interests – make friends, go off, and sometimes birding with someone you just met,” said Backo. “In fact, most of my birding friends I’ve met here.”

Building community

Kleb Woods has a reputation for its birds, even among people who aren’t birders. When Precinct 4 naturalists Adrienne Paquette and Megan Ahlgren recently went on a Christmas Bird Count, a resident asked what they were doing. When they told him about the bird count, he mentioned they should visit Kleb Woods.

“What a world where everybody knows this is a place to go to bird,” said Paquette.

Throughout the years, as visitors have come and gone, the weekly bird walks developed into something more. On days when it’s drizzling or there are nearly no birds to be seen, people still arrive at 8:30 a.m. in hopes to see their fellow birders, catch up, and enjoy nature.


“(Our regulars will) come out most weeks to join our bird walks,” said Ahlgren. “They'll talk about what's going on in their lives. They're there to support and encourage each other. A lot of them come out just as much for that sense of social support and community as for a connection with nature.”


A hobby for all


The walks are accessible to people of all ages, skill levels, and abilities. Recently, a visitor who has begun to lose her hearing started coming on bird walks. While she can’t hear every bird call, her fellow birders and naturalists are always willing to help her pinpoint a bird. They have even introduced her to tools, like apps that identify bird songs, to help her fully enjoy her new hobby.


“It’s really nice to see everyone come together,” said Paquette. “It’s one of those things that can feel very competitive, but it’s still a collective goal to see these birds.”


If interested birders are wheelchair users, Paquette said the staff is happy to make an accessible bird walk upon request. The center has a long, paved driveway surrounded by old growth pine and oak trees, perfect for spotting a multitude of birds. Residents who want to set up an accessible bird walk should call or email the center to set up a day and time.


Whether someone is a beginner birder or has been birding for years, Kleb Woods is a must-visit. Weekly bird walks happen every Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. and the first Saturday of every month at 8 a.m.—no registration needed. Precinct 4 also hosts a Young Birders Club for kids 8 to 18. For those who may not be interested in birding, Kleb Woods also hosts craft sessions, book clubs, and live music sessions.

Q&A: What is Daikin?

January 2, 2025

2024 Year in Review: Harris County Precinct 4 Delivers Progress

December 23, 2024
Residents in Harris County Precinct 4—from Katy to Tomball to Spring Branch, all the way up to Hockley and Waller—have seen major changes in their neighborhoods. Commissioner Lesley Briones and her team of over 460 public servants dedicated 2024 to addressing urgent needs while laying a strong foundation for the future. From responding to disasters, to building sidewalks, to securing free healthcare, the Precinct 4 team is improving lives today while preparing for tomorrow. “Each and every day, my team and I work to prove that government can deliver for the people,” said Commissioner Lesley Briones. “We hustle for our residents because they deserve nothing less. In 2024, we expanded critical services, strengthened community partnerships, and connected with every corner of the Precinct. I am energized to ramp up our efforts even further next year.” Here are some key highlights from 2024 and the difference they’ve made in our communities: Justice and Safety Invested in key areas of Harris County’s Criminal District Courts to make the justice system more efficient and fairer, benefitting victims, defendants, and their families Expanded support for domestic violence survivors through funding for children exposed to DV , yearly investment in the Domestic Violence Assistance Fund, a new community outreach and education campaign, and a $1 million award to the Houston Area Women’s Center Strengthened law enforcement by adding funding for the TeleDeputy and VIPER programs into the county’s annual budget to reduce response times and target violent offenders Infrastructure Secured voter approval for Flood Control District Proposition A , ensuring repairs and upgrades to aging flood control infrastructure across the County Allocated $20M for n ew sidewalks to connect children and families to schools, work, places of worship and more Cleared several thousand truckloads of debri s while providing direct assistance to residents in need Invested $48 million in sustainable infrastructure across Precinct 4 through 2024 Places 4 People Health Launched a free health clinic with Baylor College of Medicine for teens and young adults ages 13-24, offering immunizations, sick visits, physicals, contraception, and mental health counseling Opened La Tiendita at Bayland Community Center to bring free, high-quality food, nutrition education, and other resources Installed four lactation pods in county court buildings to provide nursing parents a private place to pump Planted 1,200 trees in Alief through the Barbara Quattro Forest initiative to cool one of the hottest neighborhoods in Houston Education and Economic Opportunity Invested an additional $6.7 million into countywide apprenticeship program , bringing the total to $17.6 million in federal funds —the county’s largest-ever investment in paid training for quality union jobs Created a $17 million small business loan fund to support community growth Hosted over a dozen small business workshops to help business owners learn more about county contracts Good Government Approved a $2.67 billion budget after holding five town halls to gather community input, funding critical services like roads, drainage, law enforcement, and more Hosted six listening tours across the Precinct to hear residents’ ideas, concerns, and suggestions Increased property tax exemption for homeowners who are 65+ and/or disabled from $275,000 to $320,000 and exempted qualifying childcare centers from 100% of their County property taxes Received a $11.3 million National Park Service grant to improve Burnett Bayland Park In the Community Offered free summer programming to hundreds of children at Precinct parks and community centers Allowed the sale of fireworks for Diwali for the first time Showcased student artists through Precinct 4 bus design contest Precinct 4 is here to serve you. As we reflect on 2024’s progress, we are already planning for an even brighter future in 2025. Make it your New Year’s resolution to explore everything Precinct 4 has to offer—because when we invest in our communities, we all thrive.

New soccer pitch and clinics at Freed Park expand opportunity for young players

December 19, 2024
Growing up, Houston Dash superstars Michelle Alozie, Jane Campbell, and Paige Nielsen didn’t always have easy access to soccer fields. From climbing fences to playing against walls, they managed to find space anywhere they could just to get some touches on the ball. Now, thanks to a partnership with the Dynamo & Dash Charities and Chevron, Precinct 4 is working to make the world’s most popular sport more accessible for the next generation. In early December, Commissioner Lesley Briones unveiled a state-of-the-art mini-pitch at Freed Park in the heart of Spring Branch, offering the community a dedicated space to play, practice, and connect. More than just building pitches, the collaboration is creating lasting opportunities for local youth—especially for young girls. "We’re coming together so we can make the community better for you, because that’s what you deserve,” Commissioner Briones said, addressing the young soccer clinic attendees. “I’m a mom of three little girls, and to see you here and know that every time I come to Freed, I will see you and your families playing—this is building community unity.” The Houston Dash’s Goals for Girls program hosts free soccer clinics for girls ages 6-14, in partnership with Chevron. While young players scrimmaged against the Dash players, Valerie Holland, executive director of Dynamo & Dash Charities, shared how this initiative helps girls feel confident stepping into the sport. “It’s really important to get girls into playing soccer. We’re really proud to have the Houston Dash, which is the only professional women's soccer team in the state of Texas.” Holland said. "Getting to see our Dash players out here today [at the clinic] also encourages them, and getting to meet some of their heroes here in a park is really fun, too." Irene Flores, corporate affairs advisor at Chevron, added that with over 7,000 employees who live and work in Houston, the company was proud to give back and bring opportunities to kids in Spring Branch that they wouldn’t have had otherwise. Growing the game The Freed Park mini-pitch joins a growing network of pitches, including two at Burnett Bayland Park, that serve as community hubs. Situated near Freed’s grass fields, the pitch offers an all-weather training ground for players to hone their skills. Houston Dash forward Michelle Alozie noted how this type of pitch provides a unique advantage for developing players. "This surface is definitely faster,” Alozie said. “I wish I had this growing up, because I would be [a] really technical [player] ... Then when you transition to grass, it's so much easier, and everything slows down there for you. It definitely helps people develop and grow when they get onto the grass field.” In the United States, having a space to play soccer isn't a given. Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell, who has traveled the world as a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT), said that goals at soccer fields are often rented or owned by someone, making them less available to the public compared to equipment like basketball hoops. "If you look at any other country in the world, there's some form of soccer pitch available to the public, and I think that is definitely lacking the United States,” Campbell said. “[Having pitches like this] would definitely grow our game as a whole.” Inspiring the next generation For defender Paige Nielsen, growing up in Nebraska meant even fewer opportunities to play soccer. Cornfields, not soccer fields, were the norm in her hometown. At the same time, Nielsen said there generally weren’t a lot of opportunities for women to play sports. She credits her passion for soccer to a chance encounter with USWNT legend Mia Hamm, who inspired her as a child. “When I went to a game where the [USWNT] played at the University of Nebraska, Mia Hamm spoke and said, ‘You could become a professional one day, too,’” Nielsen recalled. “And it was my dream to go to [the University of] North Carolina since I was five. I drew myself in [Hamm’s] jersey, and I was able to walk on [to the team]. [Her appearance at community events] impacted me at a young age. I can’t imagine how far that will go for a lot of the young kids we have here today.” The Freed Park pitch arrives at an exciting time as Houston prepares to host games for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It represents not just a place to play, but also a commitment to expanding opportunities for young players to discover the sport, develop their skills, and build confidence on and off the field. “[Soccer] changes people's lives. You go through adversity, you overcome so many battles, you fail over and over and over again, and it's almost congratulated in a sport, but maybe not in a classroom,” Nielsen said. “[Soccer] teaches you so many things, and also as a kid, it makes you feel welcomed and embraced for whoever you are."
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