History

The Nature Discovery Center was established by the Friends of Bellaire Parks (now Nature Discovery Center, Inc.), a nonprofit organization founded in 1979. The organization raised funds for the purchase of a million dollar 4-acre estate, now Russ Pitman Park. With the help of many volunteers and over 300 in-kind donations, the Friends developed the park, renovated the historic Henshaw House in the park, and gave both to the City of Bellaire. The Nature Discovery Center has been in operation since 1988 in the Henshaw House.

The Nature Discovery Center has become a valuable resource to the community, providing education to families about science and nature. The Center?s staff and volunteers offer programs seven days a week. Through classes, exhibits, outreach programs, and field trips, the Nature Discovery Center reaches more than 35,000 people a year from all over Houston and the surrounding areas. The Center?s unique programs provide enriching learning experiences which stimulate interest in nature and science. Visitors, especially children, may realize for the first time that nature plays an important part in their lives and can be a great source of pleasure and satisfaction.