By Brandt Mannchen

The past year has been tough for many reasons.  Many people have had loved ones pass away.  The conservation community in Houston is no different.  A great one is gone and has passed on to that great ecosystem in the sky.

Larry Brown

Larry was the go-to botanist if you had a question about the identify of any plant in our area.  He dedicated himself to leading botany trips to parks and natural areas around the Houston Area for the Native Plant Society.

With Larry it was not how many miles you traveled, but how many plants you found in just a few feet.  I remember walking just a few yards in Herman Brown Park with Larry and he had already pointed out a score or more of plants that he knew like neighbors in his community.  Plants were Larry’s friends and he got us to feel that way too!

He loved to talk about plants and how you could tell one from another.  I use Larry’s plant survey whenever I go to Marysee Prairie, in the Big Thicket, and vainly try to name the blooming plants I see.  Larry could have done this with his eyes closed! 

We miss your smiling face.  Bless your families and loved ones.

Mark Kramer

Mark Kramer, Armand Bayou Nature Center, ia alive. We deeply regret the error in a previous version of this story that reported his passing.