Natural Gem
Little White Oak Bayou represents a valuable ecological gem that deserves protection.
These aquatic and riparian spaces are distinctive for both their biodiversity (e.g. the 170+ bird species
documented within the Woodland Park Nature Preserve) and their proximity to dense
urban centers (e.g. the fact that the Nature Preserve’s border lies just one mile from
Houston’s downtown).
It is also a place of rare natural beauty inside the Loop, featuring serpentine river
bends shaded by native trees. The 70+ guests who joined for the annual Hollywood
Trail walk from Woodland Park to Moody Park in February 2024 commented extensively
on the changes in elevation, river bends, and wildlife that contributed to a striking and
surprising natural beauty.
Conversely, Little White Oak Bayou has historically been one of the most polluted
bayous in the state per TCEQ, based on bacteria counts. It also suffers from solid
waste/trash/illegal dumping. By expanding greenspace between communities and
improving waste / trash infrastructure in the process, communities can enhance their
overall ecological resilience and create a more sustainable and beautiful urban
environment.
