2022 Ducks Unlimited FFA Wildlife Field Day

On September 15th, Ducks Unlimited sponsored a Wildlife Field Day on the land at Harrison-Long Point. With approximately 150 FFA students in attendance, various topics were explored such as range, plant identification, duck wing identification, boater safety, deer aging, and wildlife techniques. We'd like to thank all of our volunteers, Ag Instructors, and sponsor - Ducks Unlimited - for making this great event happen and the Schools and FFA Students in attendance for coming out and spending the day with us!

September 2022, Harrison-Long Point

Summer 2022 Eagle Scout Projects

During the summer 2 local area Scouts completed Eagle Scout Projects to enhance visitor experience on the land at Harrison-Long Point. Needville Troop 129 Scout Matthew Dikeman took on a “legacy” project of Jim Harrison, redecking one of his original piers out on the Horseshoe Pond and installed uprights and railings. Fulshear Troop 941 Scout Luke Stoddard installed 2 cedar flag poles, a fire pit, and a picnic table.

Luke Stoddard and fellow Scouts with the newly installed cedar flag poles.

Matthew Dikeman’s completed pier project.

River Otter Visits Headquarters

During the month of June, a River Otter has been observed several times frequenting the Bald Cypress incubator ponds hear the Harrison-Long Point Headquarters. The entire staff was excited and entertained by its presence!

Great Horned Owl Nest found near Headquarters

On March 15th a Great Horned Owl was observed perched on a Bald Cypress Tree in a pond up front near headquarters at Harrison-Long Point. On the third day of observing the adult owl in the area, its nest was found in our majestic Oak Tree right off the road coming into the office. Perched in that very tree, was an owlet.

Great Horned Owl, adult

Great Horned Owl, juvenile

Black-Throated Blue Warbler Spotted

Black-throated Blue Warbler sighted near the newly established bird sanctuary at Harrison-Long Point on March 25, 2022. Only a few observations of this warbler have been documented locally!

Bird Study Merit Badge Workshop

14 local Boy Scouts participated in a Bird Study Merit Badge Workshop the land at Harrison-Long Point, on Tuesday, March 15th. The workshop led by Merit Badge Counselor “Mr Rick” from Troop 941 (Fulshear) along with volunteers from the Texas Master Naturalist Coastal Prairie Chapter. Scouts learned a variety of bird-related topics such as the anatomy of a bird, how to identify birds, and why birds are important, as well as how to use a field guide and best practices for binoculars. To wrap up the workshop and check the project box of the merit badge requirement, Scouts constructed bird feeders and created a bird sanctuary. The Bird Sanctuary Project was organized by Troop 941 Scout William Stomierowski’s as his Eagle Scout Project.

Cemetery Restoration Project at JBH Long Point Ranch

Congratulations to local area Scout Daniel Garza, of Troop 941, who organized an outstanding crew of 25 people to help restore the Wheat Family Cemetery at JBH Long Point Ranch, for his Eagle Scout Project.

The cemetery received a full cleaning including removal of weeds, new material was put in and raked out, the head stones were carefully washed, and the fence received a fresh coat of paint after seasons of mildew was scrubbed off.

Daniel also built a custom wooden bench at home and installed it on site, at the cemetery, where visitors can now take a moment to reflect and pay their respects.

The James B Harrison Foundation greatly appreciates the hard work by all and wishes Daniel the best of luck on his journey to completing his Eagle Scout Rank.

Before restoration project.

After completion of restoration project.

COVID-19 Update - 3/8/2021

COVID-19 UPDATE - 3/8/2021

With the announcement by Governor Abbott regarding the full re-opening of Texas, The James B Harrison Foundation has updated its visiting policies.

While face masks will not be required for those visiting the Harrison Properties, we ask that all visitors please respect the personal space of others and continue to practice safe social distancing. We will not discourage visitors from continuing to wear their face masks and respect your choice to do so. Although we will not require face masks outdoors, please do not leave it at home. For the safety of our staff, we ask visitors to please put their face masks on when using the indoor facilities. We also encourage visitors to put their face masks on when in close proximity to others and when a safe social distance cannot be achieved outdoors.

Moving forward, we have opened up our capacity restrictions for nature and bird hikes and are also accepting requests for events and activities. Requests for events and activities are evaluated and approved on a case-by-case basis. The James B Harrison Foundation continues to require that visitors pre-register for all upcoming events and activities. Visitors can sign up on our website by visiting our calendar and selecting the event they wish to register for.

When visiting the Harrison Properties, The James B Harrison Foundation requires that all visitors, including adults and minors, complete a liability release waiver. Our waiver is now available digitally and can be completed when registering online for an event or activity.

As Spring is a popular time for outdoor activities, especially birding, our volunteers may request an appointment to visit the land at JBH Long Point during our normal business hours of Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm. To request an appointment, please send an email to hannah@jbhfound.org. This opportunity is only available for our volunteers. Our volunteers are those individuals who have helped us with various events, activities, and bird counts. This opportunity is not available to the general public or first-time visitors. 

While you are enjoying the land, please help us to continue to provide a safe environment for all visitors and limit direct contact with others. We also ask that you assist us in our return to normal operations and limit any risks by not visiting if you should have signs of any illness or have been exposed to COVID-19. We look forward to welcoming you back when you are feeling better.

Thank you for your cooperation and for your continued support.

2020 Photography Contest Winners

We would like to congratulate our 2020 James B. Harrison Foundation Photography Contest winners! For our 2020 contest, we divided up our entries into 2 categories - wildlife and landscape.

Our wildlife category winner goes to Erik Wolf with his Northern Pintail photo taken during our Inaugural Bird Hike at Burr in February 2020.

Taking the landscape category with her stunning shot of our Burr Tree Tunnel is Janey Woodley with her "Enchanted Lane" photo, also taken in February 2020 at the JBH Burr Property.

We'd like to thank all those who participated in our 2nd Annual Photography Contest! For details on how to participate in our 3rd Annual Photography Contest please visit our photography contest page.

Northern Pintail - Wildlife Category Winner.
Photo by Erik Wolf.

Enchanted Lane - Landscape Category Winner.
Photo by Janey Woodley.

Local Scout builds picnic tables, benches, and a rifle rack for the Foundation

We’d like to congratulate local area Scout Grant Simnacher on the completion of his Eagle Scout Project and the achievement of his Eagle Scout Rank, the highest rank of that the Boy Scouts of America has to offer.

A member of Troop 1002 based out of Richmond, Grant took on the task of building 2 picnic tables, 2 benches, and a rifle rack for his Eagle Scout Project. These items were donated to The James B Harrison Foundation in partnership with the Fort Bend Ducks Unlimited Youth Adventure Day Event.

Grant built the custom rifle rack specifically for use during the Youth Adventure Day for the shooting sports activities to promote proper firearm handling and enhance range safety. The handmade wooden tables and benches will see use not just during the Youth Adventure Day but throughout the year for various activities and benefit all users of JBH Long Point Ranch.

It was an honor for The James B Harrison Foundation to be the beneficiary of this project. Congratulations Grant on a job well done!