By Tom Douglas 

The Houston area environmental community experienced a great loss with the passing of Mark Kramer on March 9. At the time of his death, Mark was Chief Naturalist and Director of Conservation Emeritus at the Armand Bayou Nature Center.

Having grown up in Pasadena, Mark went to work at the Armand Bayou Nature Center briefly following his graduation from San Jacinto College, then returned to the Nature Center’s staff in 1995. He was a restoration ecologist, lecturer, writer, interpretive naturalist, licensed master captain with the U.S. Coast Guard, prescribed burn boss, and avid angler.

The Houston Chronicle ran an article on Mark’s work shortly after he received the Bayou Preservation Association’s Terry Hershey Bayou Steward Award in May 2015. He also received the Lone Star Land Steward Award from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation and the Prairie Excellence Award from the Coastal Prairie Partnership.

In January 2021, the City of Pasadena formally changed the name of the former Mud Lake to Lake Mark Kramer. The virtual dedication ceremony, which was attended by more than 100 people, can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUtRYVq2jUs. The Armand Bayou Nature Center’s Executive Director, Tim Pylate, commented that “The decision was easy to put a new name on Mud Lake, which links Armand Bayou to Clear Lake. No single person has done more for the health of the environment of the ecology along Armand Bayou, which is a tributary of Mud Lake. This is to honor more than 30 years of work in conservation and restoration along the bayou. Even though Mark is retired, he still serves as our director of conservation and chief naturalist emeritus. He is officially retired, but we still consider him a part of our team.” Mark’s comments, which were read by his longtime friend and colleague George Regmund, revealed his very close connection to the bayou: “I have been a student of Armand Bayou for over 40 years. With mud under my toenails, I have found a lifetime of happiness immersing myself in this beautiful place. I’m deeply grateful for this unexpected honor.”

Following through on his decades-long dedication to environmental education, Mark published his book entitled Armand Bayou Illustrated: A Life on the Bayou in June 2021. In addition to presenting a wealth of information about the ecology of Armand Bayou, the book includes outstanding wildlife photography from award winning photographer Gary Seloff. Many examples of his educational contributions are posted in the “Nature as Normal” blog that Mark started in 2020.

A tribute to Mark is posted at https://www.abnc.org/nature-blog/mark-kramer-tribute.  In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations can be made to Armand Bayou Nature Center in his memory.

Photo credits: Armand Bayou Nature Center’s Nature as Normal blog https://www.abnc.org/nature-blog/.