If Not For Hana- A Tribute to the Founders of Armand Bayou Nature Center
Written by Mark Kramer
Armand- a leading naturalist - Photo from ABNC File Footage
Armand in the Field - Photo from ABNC File Footage
Passing like a comet…. – Photo from ABNC File Footage
As a child in Pasadena during the 1960’s, I have fond memories of Saturday mornings. The Roadrunner, Bugs Bunny, and Daffy Duck cartoons were regulars that aired on local TV. In between cartoons, the KTRK TV station had personalities such as Cadette Don or Kitirik who hosted live programming. On occasion, in between all of these programs, Armand Yramategui would appear. Armand would bring wildlife (turtles, rabbits, snakes, etc.) on to the program. He would show the animals and speak about the importance of wild places for animals to live. He also talked about the importance of open space for people to relax and connect with nature. As I reflect back on those years, I can’t help but wonder what impact he may have had of on the young mind of Mark Kramer.
Armand had earned a reputation as one who loved to share his passion for the natural world with children. He was a multi-dimensional, larger than life figure who had a wide range of knowledge and broad set of skills. He was the curator of Houston’s Burke Baker Planetarium, a member of the Meteoritical Society, an electrical engineer by education, and a self-trained naturalist. The 1960’s were a time of great ecological awakening in America. The air and water quality were poor in the Houston area. Wetlands and wildlife habitat were generally not considered valuable. It seems hard to imagine that there was a time when the health of the environment was a minor issue on the minds of many. Armand Yramategui was the local environmental visionary leader who articulately championed many of these issues. His greatest effort focused on the preservation of open space and establishment of a Parks System in the Houston area.
Armand’s passion for astronomy compelled him to drive to the edge of town for better viewing of the dark night sky. On the night of January 28, 1970, he loaded his telescopes and other optical equipment for the drive to view the Tago-Sato-Kosako comet. On his way out of town, there was a flat tire. Passersby stopped to assist, but the helpers were actually thieves who spotted the valuable optical equipment in the backseat. Armand was robbed and murdered.
Armand Yramategui was a local conservation figure who was also recognized as a national environmental leader. The following are quotes from the numerous letters assembled at his memorial:
“Through his appearances on radio and television, Armand imparted to each listener some of his own love and understanding of the finite and infinite parts of the world we share: The Big Thicket, the winter sky, a threatened estuary, an endangered live oak or the life cycle of a tiny spider. Through his eyes we were shown new wonders and the world was a little less wearisome. Through his heart we were made to feel the interdependent part of the throbbing life around us, and our lives were a little less lonely. ”
“It was a savage irony that Armand Yramategui should be shot to death on the concrete sprawl of a freeway while trying to get a glimpse of a comet. For while he chased the stars, Armand was more deeply concerned with man’s unwitting desecration of his own planet and the resulting degradation of the human spirit. He worked in many quiet ways to improve his community, his world, and the life of his fellow man. He was a gentle but effective crusader. The very nature of his death was a brutal reminder that his work is still unfinished.”
“But Armand, day and night, accomplished enough for any one person in a full lifetime. His life was one of the factors in bringing mankind at last into the Age of the Environment.”
“Someone has suggested that a meaningful memorial be established in his name—-perhaps a park, perhaps a stream, perhaps a quiet place somewhere. I would urge that such a memorial be established and I would love to have some small part in making it possible. Let me know what I can do.”
“At times a sentence or a paragraph will suddenly yield up a real insight into this man who was bigger than life while living. Everywhere I turn in the world of conservation, I find people who remember Armand. The thought slowly emerges, that this man, almost alone at first, ushered in the modern era of conservation in Texas. ”
The tragic loss of this beloved figure was a shock to the community and those who loved and knew him best. Hana Ginzbarg was one who had been a friend and colleague with Armand. His untimely passing at the age of 46 helped to produce the effort to memorialize his memory. Armand had been a catalyst for the formation of many local groups, clubs, and environmental actions, but one of his primary passions was advocating for open space. In fact, he was scheduled to speak the next day after his murder in support for the establishment of a County Parks Department. Armand had campaigned for several large preservation efforts including The Big Thicket National Preserve, Padre Island National Seashore, and the Texas Open Beaches Act. Of particular local preservation interest was the wild land along Middle Bayou (present day Armand Bayou). While Armand had only visited the area a few times, he made mention of the beauty of the area to several people. Slowly, the idea emerged that a Park named to memorialize Armand would be a very worthy cause.
Hana Ginzbarg-The Founding Mother of Armand Bayou Nature Center-Photo from ABNC File Footage
The 1960’s were a time of growth and upheaval in America. In addition to the environmental movement, the women’s movement was also awakening. Hana Ginzbarg was a formative figure in both. Hana was no stranger to taking on a challenge. Born in Prague in 1925, she left Czechoslovakia at the age of 13 on one of the last Kinder Trains before Hitler’s occupation.
Late night planning on Hana’s living room floor - Photo from ABNC File Footage
So began Hana’s campaign to raise funds and public support for the purchase of a parkland in the memory of Armand Yramategui. Hana’s motto was “Wouldn’t it be wonderful”. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the Houston area had one of the largest pieces of wildland located in the middle of the city. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the area was a preserve large enough to provide habitat for many types of wildlife like deer, red wolves, prairie chickens, coyotes, and alligators. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the area was a place for people of all ages to relax, learn, recreate, and reconnect with nature.
Armand Bayou Development Plan Map - Photo from ABNC File Footage
The sense of urgency grew as plans became public that suburbia was planned to sprawl over what many considered to be the largest and most beautifully preserved piece of wild land remaining in Harris County: The Middle Bayou area.
Governor Preston Smith bears witness to community passion for preservation - Photo from ABNC File Footage
Hana drove the effort of building a coalition of fundraising at the local, state, and federal levels and was successful each.
This full-page advertisement was run in the New York Times - Photo from ABNC File Footage
Armand Bayou Day Celebrations were held at Bay Area Park for families to enjoy the bayou and raised local awareness - Photo from ABNC File Footage
A herculean task, accomplished at warp speed due to a supreme champion - Photo from ABNC File Footage
Four years later, Hana and her coalition had raised the 6.5 million dollars needed for the purchase of property along the bayou. The original acquisition purchased 1900 acres and consisted of coastal prairie and flatwoods forest adjacent to the bayou waters. Funding contributors included The City of Pasadena, Harris County, The Armand Bayou Fund, Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). An important stipulation from HUD was that the lands must be retained as parkland in perpetuity. It was agreed that Harris County would serve as the property owner and that Armand Bayou Nature Center would hold a 99-year lease on the property which automatically renews.
Mission accomplished! (almost)
Original efforts targeted the preservation of 3000 acres along Armand Bayou. Fundraising fell short of this goal, but 1900 acres were able to be preserved. Efforts are well underway now (2020) to complete her vision which will add an estimated 1000 acres of prairie and forest in the upper watershed of the bayou. The area is shown as Track 15 on the previous map.
This sign marked the entrance to the first ABNC trail which entered through Bay Area Park - Photo from ABNC File Footage
Hana leading an early ABNC trail hike from Bay Area Park 1974 - Photo from ABNC File Footage
Do your part! - Photo from ABNC File Footage
In these early years, there were no buildings on the property. However, Hana and other leading Houston naturalists, university professors, and astronauts led hikes entering the property from Bay Area Park. The original trail led from Bay Area Park to where the current Boathouse is located. These were my high school years where I hiked and swam from the rope swing located where today’s ABNC Boathouse is located. In 1974, ABNC was established as a not-for-profit corporation and became the second “nature center” in all of Texas.
In one of my last conversations with Hana, we discussed that rope swing. In 1972, Hana had managed to assemble several Texas State Representatives to tour the bayou in hopes of securing funding. They boated past the rope swing which was surrounded by teenage swimmers having fun in the summer sun. The State Reps said to her – this place looks like its used and enjoyed by the community. We should support it! Hana then turned to me and said, “looks like you and I were both doing our part for the preservation of the bayou on that day!”
Interpretive Building Construction 1976 - Photo from ABNC File Footage
On July 4, 1976, ABNC held the official dedication of the Interpretive Building to the public. With an innovative design, the building housed all staff, held public displays, and offered an auditorium for events and educational programs. It remained the only building at ABNC to perform these functions for 20 years.
Hana sits with officials during recognition and dedication ceremony- Photo from ABNC File Footage
Hana gave a presentation at the ABNC Volunteer Meeting in October 2005. She recounted much of what I’ve stated above, but also left us a written record of her personal memoire of the monumental effort. The Title of her writings is called “Setting the Record Straight”. It’s an in-depth history of the beginnings of ABNC. I have recounted one of her memoire quotes on many of my speaking engagements which reads “Although Armand never campaigned to preserve lands along the bayou, his spirit was felt throughout the effort”. Reading that sentence stopped me. It was an “ah ha” moment of realization. First, I realized that much of our story (our history) of ABNC had been mis-quoted through the years. Armand was not the champion who had campaigned and fundraised for preservation of the bayou. In fact, Armand had only visited the bayou a very few times in his life. It was Hana. She was the one who drove the effort of fundraising to preserve the lands. The second realization was the title of her memoire, “Setting the Record Straight” was her attempt to gently announce that fact.
Hana last visited ABNC in March 2013. I had called her in hopes that she might attend the retirement party for my dear friend, ABNC Director and Chief Naturalist George Regmund. It was an evening filled with memories of the early days and I felt a profound sense of wonder that such an extraordinary chain of events had come to pass that had led us to all be together for our moment in time. I was not able to know then that it would be our last.
Hana walks among the Armand Bayou cedars
Hana died on October 22, 2013. Her memorial service was a tribute to a life of personal commitment and dedication to local conservation. Her dogged persistence contributed to one speaker saying, “When we saw Hana coming down the side walk we would try to cross the street”. There were many memorable quotes from persons who knew and loved her. I was honored to speak on behalf of Armand Bayou Nature Center. The following are my notes from the occasion:
“For the last 40 years, I have worked and played in that park and natural area that she was devoted to. As an employee of Harris County Parks Department, I piloted an eco-tour boat named the Hana G, for the last 20 some odd years I have served at Armand Bayou Nature Center as biologist and naturalist.”
“Because of Hana – I, like so many others, have discovered the natural world and the beauty of the wilderness.
Because of Hana – I, like so many others, have found a quiet place to contemplate the beauty of the prairie sunset and the mystery of the night sky.
Because of Hana – Hundreds of thousands of children have seen their first caterpillar become butterflies and hundreds of thousands of parents have seen that wonder in their children’s eye.
Because of Hana – the alligator, otter, pelican, osprey, and eagle have returned to the bayou.
Because of these things, when I was with Hana, I felt like I was with a giant, a hero, and she leaves a legacy that generations of humans and wild creatures alike will be the better for all that she did.”
The writing of these notes has increasingly revealed the essential nature within each moment. As I read these writings, I realize how the disconnection of any one of the above events could have unraveled the tapestry of life that has interwoven the connections with everyone that I know who is reading this at ABNC. One different turn at any point along the story could have led to an entirely different destiny. I think how different my life would be without an Armand or Hana or Armand Bayou Nature Center. I know that many readers also feel this too. How profoundly different the trajectory of my life would have been, if not for Hana.
More of the story may be viewed at:
Dr. Deanna Schmidt - Hana’s Urban Wilderness