By DaChar Lane
Megan Ahlgren catches the curve of each petal, the tiny moths that would otherwise blend into the background, and can identify the birds just from the sound of their songs. As a naturalist for Precinct 4, Megan blends science, education, and a genuine love for the outdoors to help residents of all ages discover the beauty and complexity of the natural world.
The habit of noticing — of stopping to take in the intricate details — has shaped Megan’s life and career. At Kleb Woods Nature Center, on Precinct 4’s 133-acre preserve near Tomball, she spends her days surrounded by more than 200 bird species, luffa flowers, and the quiet hum of life that most of us miss.
“You never know what you might see out here,” said Megan, listing everything from backyard regulars such as cardinals and blue jays to unexpected visitors, such as the scaly-breasted munia.
A naturalist’s evolution
Megan did not originally set out to be a naturalist. Her early career was in primate research, studying chimpanzees.
“I was doing both observational research and experimental behavioral studies, just to see how the chimpanzees responded to different situations,” she recalled. “It was fascinating and fun, but by complete accident, my career took a turn toward what I’m doing now.”
That turn began with volunteering. Megan first came to Kleb Woods in 2012, helping out for a couple of years before joining the staff at the end of 2014. For six years, she immersed herself in her role before taking on a new challenge in 2020: helping open the John Paul Landing Environmental Education Center.
“We started completely from scratch,” Megan said. “We filled the center with displays and programs, building it all up for the community.”
She spent three years there before returning to Kleb Woods full-time.
Megan’s work is never static. One day, she might be leading a birding trip for seniors; the next, guiding preschoolers through butterfly story time, or prepping to host the annual Hummingbird Festival.
The festival is the largest event held at Kleb Woods. As the hummingbirds migrate south every fall, they make a pit stop at the Nature Center before continuing on to the hardest part of their journey — flying over the Gulf of Mexico.
“The festival is really a lot of fun,” said Megan. “We set out feeders, bring out bird banders, and set up crafts and tours of the center for the community members that stop by.”
A lasting impression
Megan’s job offers her endless opportunities to make an impact on the lives of residents, but visitors may not realize they make a lasting impact on her too.
Back in 2019, Megan was helping at a bird banding station at Kleb Woods. She noticed a curious young boy, so she placed a Carolina wren in his hands. Years later, Megan saw him again, binoculars in hand, still hooked on birds.
“His mom told me someone let him hold a bird years ago, and ever since, his fascination skyrocketed,” said Megan. “That touched my heart because that someone was me. I remembered that moment. It reminded me why I do what I do.”
As much as she loves the feathery visitors at Kleb Woods, Megan loves the human ones too.
“I love that I get to make connections with the community members that come here and see them make a connection with this place. That’s what makes this job truly worthwhile.”