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USA Helps Protect Endangered Species

Volunteers install a snake-proof fence around an endangered bird enclosure at the Johnson Space Center. JSC recently donated land to the Houston Zoo for a breeding project for the endangered Attwater’s Prarie Chickens. USA donated the funding to protect the enclosure, the birds and their eggs from snakes. Pictured from left are Zoo Keeper, Angie Lehnert; USA employee and Project Lead, Andy Ideler; NASA retiree, Tom Wilks; Houston Zoo Curator of Birds, Hannah Bailey; Zoo Keeper, Mollie Coym; and Zoo Keeper, Herry Caraviotis.United Space Alliance’s community outreach recently extended a hand to help protect a critically endangered bird listed on the Texas Parks and Wildlife endangered species list.

USA joined the Johnson Space Center in helping restore the populations of the Attwater’s Prairie Chicken by establishing a partnership with the Houston Zoo. Through a Space Act Agreement, JSC licensed 1.7 acres of land to the zoo to move their captive breeding program from the zoo to JSC. The zoo is fully responsible for the operation and maintenance of the program under a permit with U.S. Fish and Wildlife.

A group of 16 USA and Houston Zoo volunteers assembled and installed a 462-foot snake-proof fence along the perimeter of the pens and built two 4- by 8-foot viewing blinds.

The two viewing blinds were set up so people could bird watch without disturbing the birds for extended periods of time.

The project began when USA employee Andy Ideler and Houston Zoo employees discovered areas where snakes could enter the enclosure and realized there was a need to protect the rare birds and their eggs. USA sponsored the entire cost of the fence project.

There are only about 50 Attwater’s Prairie Chickens remaining in the wild today. These populations are found only in Texas at two preserves: the Attwater’s National Wildlife Refuge near Eagle Lake and at the Coastal Prairie Preserve operated by the Nature Conservancy in Texas City. The main reason for the bird’s decline has been the loss of 9 million acres of prairie land that was once found in the coastal region from Texas to Louisiana. Predation by birds of prey and the import of fire ants are other causes for their decline in population.

This program will benefit JSC by developing educational opportunities with both the Clear Creek Independent School District’s Agricultural Science Learning Center, which is also housed on JSC property. In addition, since the Attwater’s Prairie Chicken is a critically endangered species found only in Texas, this program supports USA’s commitment to protecting the environment.

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