The collection contains collected papers, photographs, printed materials and clippings of Joseph Matthew Heiser Jr. (1897-1987), a well-known Houston naturalist who served in both World Wars and was employed by the Texas Company as an accountant. His father, Joseph M. Heiser Sr., had been chief clerk of Harris County Tax Assessing and Collecting Department for many years and was the first Superintendent of Parks.
The collection mainly reflects Joe Heiser's interest in nature and the preservation of the environment, primarily in Texas. In 1923 he started the Outdoor Nature Club of Houston (ONC) which is still active, and was instrumental in the acquisition of the Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary (LTNS) near Evergreen, Texas. He was a well-known ornithologist and through the ONC aided the Audubon Society in Texas until the Texas branch was formed. He was correspondent and friend of many well-known naturalists, including Professor H.P. Attwater, Harry Oberholser, Robert A. Sell, Robert A. Vines and Professor George Williams. He was an active member of many national wildlife and conservation organizations. He was a board member of the Houston Zoological Society. He owned property and had particular interest in San Jacinto County and the Coldspring area. He was an active member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and participated in activities in the Old 6th Ward.
The large collection of newspaper clippings covering over 60 years reflect his diverse interests, including the circus, palmistry, horoscopes and all sorts of puzzles, as well as a range of wildlife interests and zoos.
From the guide to the J. M. Heiser Jr. Environmental Collection MSS 0246., 1860-1987, (Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library)
