Location
Joseph Mathew "Joe" Heiser, Jr.
Years: 1897–1987 | Role: Accountant | County: Chambers
Topics
Description
Joe Heiser worked as an accountant for Texaco, but was active in his volunteer life as a ornithologist (he counted the naturalists H.P. Attwater, Harry Oberholser, Robert Sell, Robert Vines, and George Williams as friends and regular correspondents) and conservation advocate.
He is remembered for promoting the mockingbird as the Texas state bird, for working to protect the roseate spoonbill on Vingtune Islands, and for encouraging growing rather than cutting holly trees (long used for Christmas decorations). He is particularly known for co-founding the Outdoor Nature Club in 1923, considered Houston’s first conservation group. In 1951, Heiser also led the Club’s efforts to buy acreage for the Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary, a critical remnant of the Pineywoods of east Texas.
Location Notes
Given Heiser's work protecting the roseate spoonbill population on Vingt-et-un Islands, it seems appropriate to put a marker in James H. Robbins Park, on Smith Point, near the Spoonbill RV Park, overlooking the now largely-submerged Islands - James H. Robbins Park; Monroe City, Texas 77514