Conservation group accommodates wheelchair-bound children

Canoers enjoy a paddle on Spring Creek Canoers enjoy a paddle on Spring Creek Photo: Jennifer Lorenz Photo: Jennifer Lorenz Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close Conservation group accommodates wheelchair-bound children 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

In an effort to get children off of their digital devices and explore the great outdoors, conservation group Bayou Land Conservancy offers grants to school and hosts “Canoes, the Creek, and the Commissioner” from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22, at Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Center.

Bayou Land Conservancy’s executive director, Jennifer Lorenz, says staying indoors cause health related issues. The goal of such events are to get people excited about what the group is actively preserving.

“We focus mainly on low socioeconomic kids and try to get them outdoors. We bring kids out to our preserves and have environmental educational programs,” Lorenz said.

She says buses are the one of the biggest costs for schools, including Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District which is why they do not have as many field trips.

“Target has some amazing bus field trip grants up to $800. Every teacher needs to be aware that they can use these grants to bring their students to our preserves before they fill up. If you’ve got a free bus, why not get your kids outside?”

The field trip grants are offered from Aug. 1 to Sept. 1. Every school can apply with a form linked here. The application only takes two people to complete, the teacher interested in the program and the principal. Although the application has to be filled out before Sept.1, the trip can be scheduled next year.

Bayou Land Conservancy’s new grant is set to bring in wheel chair bound children, middle school and up, with a unique lift system. The grant receive is a Community Outdoor Grant by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for the group’s “No Child Left Inside” education program.

“A part of the issue of getting kids into a canoe or kayak is that it’s a bit back breaking to get these kids into the boats but it’s also not very respectful, so we have teamed up with a gentleman to help us with a special lift system that he has designed. This is a first for us, so we are very excited about this grant.” Lorenz said.

The lift will be left temporarily at the site to help get children and adults out on the water and get a chance to fish.

The Canoes, the Creek, and the Commissioner event give s members a chance to canoe along the habitats of Spring and Cypress Creek with Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle.

“People have no idea how beautiful the preserve is in this highly urbanized area. It’s an incredible greenway and it happens to be the longest urban forest with contiguous greenway in the country,” Lorenz said. “Mammals need a certain amount of acreage and we work hard to preserve that. You may see bald eagles fly, river otters, and bobcats.”

Lorenz says everyone ought to have the opportunity to get out in various ways. The evening event is member only and will require an RSVP.

This event is for Bayou Land Conservancy members only. To become a member of for more information, contact Bayou Land Conservancy at 281-576-1634 or info@bayouland.org.

Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Center is located at 20634 Kenswick Drive, bayoulandconservancy.org.