Glenn Olsen talks about soil, a key to organic gardening, to Cindy Johnson (Bridgeland resident) and Leo Rubeck (Stonegate resident) at Bridgeland's Lakeland Activity Center. Photo by Thomas Nguyen.

By VALERIE SWEETEN
CHRONICLE CORRESPONDENT

Glenn Olsen, a Copperfield resident, has found a venue that fuels his passion for nature.

Olsen, who has a home-based financial business, Glenn Olsen and Associates, is known from the Katy Prairie Conservancy to the Houston Audubon Society to Rice University for his knowledge of birds, butterflies and native landscapes of Texas.

His reputation for sharing and inspiring others about nature is respected by professionals and students alike.

He is a member of the American Birding Association, Houston Audubon Society, Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, Texas Ornithological Society, Houston Ornithology Group, Native Plant Society of Texas and the Outdoor Nature Club.

He has worked with Texas Parks & Wildlife, the Native Plant Society of Texas and the Master Naturalist Program.

Olsen’s range of classes at Rice University School of Continuing Studies include Butterfly Identification and Gardening for Texas, The Flora and Fauna of Texas and Birding on the Upper Texas Gulf Coast.

Gina Donovan, Houston Audubon Society executive director, has known Olsen three years and found him to be an "excellent teacher with a passion."

His interaction between new students and experienced naturalists is one of his best assets she said.

"He’s just terrific and engaging. I really admire and respect his abilities. I am so grateful for the outreach component he has in reaching new people. He teaches the general public about what we have in our own backyard. He’s really good and knows his stuff," Donovan said.

Olsen has also led birding and nature tours for groups and individuals to the Upper and Central coast of Texas, the Lower Rio Grande Valley, East and Central Texas, the Big Bend area, the Galapagos Island, the Rain and Cloud Forests of Ecuador, Costa Rica, Panama and Belize.

Tobi Troxell, a southwest Houston resident, has taken classes and field trips with Olsen over the past five years. She adapted her backyard to a wildscape with information from his instruction.

She has found Olsen to be inspiring about every venture they encounter whether it be in the classroom or out in the field.

"What I like most about going birding with him is that he still gets excited over every bird we see. He has so much information. You learn so much when you go. His classes are fun and casual. He’s just fun to be around. He knows something about everything you see from birds to butterflies to dragonflies and bushes," said Troxell, who has traveled to four Texas regions with Olsen.

Olsen, a Pensacola, Fla., native, grew up on a farm as the eldest of 10 children of Louise and Howard Olsen.

Armed with a degree in philosophy from the University of West Florida, Olsen moved to Houston in 1976 with his family.

The start of his financial services business grew, but his love for the outdoors that was fostered as a child did as well.

"I had wanted to be a wildlife biologist. I always maintained an interest in nature. I self-studied and observed," Olsen said.

In 2000, Olsen moved to Copperfield and took on more responsibility in educating the Houston community in gardening and natural surroundings.

His goal is to foster an adoration in his students for what lies before their eyes.

"I love sharing what I love with others and people who have an interest in learning. People tend to protect what we love and enjoy. People reconnect with nature and recognize its beauty and uniqueness. They want to know more," Olsen said.

He will offer classes with Rice University Continuing Education Department in the fall and spring.

For more information, e-mail H.Glenn.Olsen@gmail.com.

GLENN OLSEN

AGE: 61

COMMUNITY CONNECTION: Katy Prairie volunteer and supporter

FAST FACT: Taught Bird Identification Classes at Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens from 2005-07

QUICK QUOTE: "I’ve always been acutely and passionately interested in nature through self-study, observation and library research. I love sharing what I love with other people who have an interest in learning. People tend to protect what we love and enjoy."