Past Events

Events which have already happened.

2012 Longleaf Pine Restoration (Meet at the Big Thicket National Preserve Visitor Center, from Jan 16, 2012 09:30 AM to Jan 16, 2012 04:00 PM)

Thank you for your commitment to help with the reforestation of longleaf pine in the Big Thicket National Preserve. The longleaf was a predominant, upland forest species that has been practically eliminated in East Texas. It is one of the parks goals, working with partners, to restore the longleaf forest.

BTA Board Meeting (Field Research Station, 106890 FM 770, Saratoga, TX 77585, from Jan 14, 2012 09:30 AM to Jan 14, 2012 12:30 PM)

Quarterly Big Thicket Association Board Meeting

Big Thicket Photos (Logon Café, 3805 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, TX, from Jan 13, 2012 06:00 PM to Jan 13, 2012 07:00 PM)

Friday, January 13 “Big Thicket in Photos”, 6 pm. Photographer Michael Black has accompanied many researchers to document their field work in the Big Thicket. Join us at an informal Science Café to see his photos, from fungi to frogs and more, and to learn how his work plays an important role in research here. Meet at the Logon Café, 3805 Calder Ave, in Beaumont.

New Year's Eve Night Hike (Sundew Trailhead, CR 1910, 0.5 mile south of FM 2827, about 7 miles north of the Big Thicket National Preserve Visitor Center. , from Dec 31, 2011 05:30 PM to Dec 31, 2011 07:30 PM)

Saturday, December 31 “New Year’s Eve Night Hike”, 5:30 pm. The Big Thicket can seem like a very different world after sunset. Engage your senses and learn about nocturnal wildlife on this 1-mile night hike. Meet at the Sundew Trailhead with water, good walking shoes, and a flashlight or headlamp with a red lens. The trailhead is located on CR 1910, 0.5 mile south of FM 2827, about 7 miles north of the Big Thicket National Preserve Visitor Center.

Christmas Bird Count 12-28-2011 (Corps of Engineers Park just north of the Dam B office on Hwy. 92 north FM 1746, from Dec 28, 2011 06:30 AM to Dec 28, 2011 12:00 PM)

The Beech Creek Christmas Bird Count is Wednesday, December 28, 2011. Meet at the Corps of Engineers Park just north of the Dam B office on Hwy. 92 north FM 1746 at 6:30 am.

Black Bears in the Big Thicket (Big Thicket National Preserve Visitor Center, from Dec 17, 2011 02:00 PM to Dec 17, 2011 03:00 PM)

Saturday, December 17 “Black Bears in the Big Thicket”, 2 pm. Are there really black bears in the Big Thicket? What do they need to survive? Learn about black bear ecology, management, and their status in east Texas at this afternoon program. Meet at the Big Thicket National Preserve Visitor Center. 45 minutes.

Christmas Bird Count 12-17-2011 (Big Thicket National Preserve Visitor's Center, from Dec 17, 2011 06:30 AM to Dec 17, 2011 12:00 PM)

The Turkey Creek Christmas Bird Count is this Saturday, December 17, 2011. Meet at the Big Thicket National Preserve Visitor's Center at 6:30 am.

Sandhill Hike (Kirby Nature Trailhead on FM 420, 2.5 west of the Big Thicket Visitor Center, from Dec 04, 2011 01:00 PM to Dec 04, 2011 03:00 PM)

Sunday, December 4 “Sandhill Hike”, 1 pm. The open stands of longleaf pines along the Sandhill Loop Trail are a distinct contrast to the dense hardwood forests and cypress sloughs seen on the nearby Kirby Nature Trail. Join a ranger to learn about the plants, animals, and overall ecology of this upland sandhill ecosystem. Bring water, a snack, and good walking shoes for this 4.5-mile hike. Meet at the Kirby Nature Trailhead on FM 420, 2.5 miles west of the Big Thicket National Preserve Visitor Center.

Alabama-Coushatta Baskets and Culture (Big Thicket National Preserve Visitor Center on FM 420, Kountze, TX, from Dec 03, 2011 02:00 PM to Dec 03, 2011 03:00 PM)

Saturday, December 3 “Alabama-Coushatta Baskets and Culture”, 2:00. Join park ranger Elliott Abbey to learn how native plants can be woven into a variety of baskets and how this art is part of the Alabama-Coushatta history and culture. Meet at the Big Thicket National Preserve Visitor Center on FM 420, seven miles north of Kountze, TX, on US Hwy 69. 45 minutes.

BIG THICKET MUSHROOM WALK IN TEXAS (Field Research Station, 16890 FM 770, Saratoga, TX 77585, from Nov 19, 2011 10:00 AM to Nov 19, 2011 03:00 PM)

We will foray into the Lance Rosier Unit of the BTNP, collect and record species, and thereby assist with the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) species list for the BTNP.

Halloween Night Hike (Kirby Nature Trail at 6:30 pm, located on FM 420 two miles east of the Big Thicket National Preserve Visitor Center, from Oct 31, 2011 06:30 PM to Oct 31, 2011 08:30 PM)

If walking up and down the same neighborhood streets seems boring to you this year, we have a spine-tingling alternative. A little bit scary and whole lot of fun, the night life of Big Thicket National Preserve will leave you howling for more!

Alabama-Coushatta Baskets and Culture (Big Thicket National Preserve Visitor's Center, 6044 FM 420 Kountze, TX 77625, from Sep 18, 2011 01:00 PM to Sep 18, 2011 03:00 PM)

Sunday September 18, 1:00. Join park ranger Elliott Abbey to learn how native plants can be woven into a variety of baskets and how this art is part of the Alabama-Coushatta history and culture. Meet at the Visitor Center on FM 420, seven miles north of Kountze, TX on US Hwy 69.

Village Creek Clean-up (from Sep 17, 2011 08:30 AM to Sep 17, 2011 12:30 PM)

Saturday, September 17, 2011 8:30 am. Join other caring citizens in this effort to clean Village Creek! Bring or rent your own canoe or kayak. Call (409) 951-6720 for more information.

Kids’ Library Program (Elmo Willard Library‎ 3590 East Lucas Drive Beaumont, TX 77708-5639, from Sep 14, 2011 10:30 AM to Oct 14, 2011 11:30 AM)

Wednesday September 14-10:30 am. Kids! Join a park ranger at this special library program to learn about nighttime in the Big Thicket. 1 hour. Meet at the Elmo Willard Library, 3590 East Lucas Str., Beaumont.

Big Thicket Neighborhoods (from Sep 11, 2011 09:00 AM to Sep 11, 2011 11:00 AM)

Do plants live in communities? Come explore the wonders of the Big Thicket with ranger Paula Rivers. Meet the Ranger 9a.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011 at the Kirby Nature Trail on FM 420. Bring water, a snack, and insect repellent.

Seminar: Fish of the Big Thicket (Field Research Station, 16890 FM 770, Saratoga, TX 77585, from Jul 30, 2011 10:00 AM to Jul 30, 2011 12:00 PM)

On July 30, Dr. Hargrave will lead a seminar on the fish of the Big Thicket at 10 am at the Field Research Station in Saratoga. Dr. Hargrave has conducted extensive research on fish and aquatic ecosystems in Big Thicket National Preserve as part of the All-Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI), an effort to identify all living organisms in the preserve. No reservations or fees are required for either program. For more information, please call 409-951-6720.

Science Cafe--Ecology of the Neches River (Logon Cafe, 3805 Calder Avenue, Beaumont TX 77706, from Jul 28, 2011 06:00 PM to Jul 28, 2011 07:00 PM)

Presented by Dr. Chad Hargrave, an Assistant Professor of Biology at Sam Houston State University

Science, Nature and You (Kirby Nature Trail, Big Thicket National Preserve, Kountze, TX, from Jul 17, 2011 11:00 AM to Jul 17, 2011 02:00 PM)

Kids! Learn how science works by doing a study of your own “carbon footprint”. Learn to conduct scientific research and collect your own data. Meet at the Kirby Trailhead for a 2-mile hike. Bring 2 empty 2-liter bottles, water, lunch, good walking shoes, insect repellent, and sunscreen.

Village Creek Canoe Trip (Hwy 327 and Village Creek boat launch, from Jul 16, 2011 10:00 AM to Jul 16, 2011 04:00 PM)

Come paddle down Village Creek with rangers! Learn about habitats, practice map-reading skills, and picnic on a sandbar on this easy float trip. Meet at the boat launch on Hwy 327 at 10 am. Participants must provide their own canoe or kayak, shuttle, water, and lunch.

Edibles in the Big Thicket (Big Thicket Visitor Center, 6102 FM 420, Kountze, Texas 77625, from Jul 15, 2011 09:30 AM to Jul 15, 2011 12:00 PM)

You are what you eat – Be Wild! Learn how to identify some edible plants on this 2-mile hike on the Kirby Nature Trail. Meet at the Visitor Center. Bring water, insect repellent, and sunscreen.