The Big Thicket Association

... a Friend of the the Big Thicket National Preserve

ECO-ART EVENT: SPRING EQUINOX TOUR

Join us on Sunday March 22 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm departing Collier's Ferry Park. Arrive 15 min. early. $25 per person. REGISTER HERE.

The intention is to offer participants a quiet, contemplative way to deepen their relationship with the Big Thicket ecosystem—encouraging relaxation, presence, and a sense of reverence for this unique landscape. This is a low-impact, accessible wellness experience that complements the educational and conservation mission of the Ivory Bill while offering something truly special and memorable for guests.

SAVE THE DATE for the 2026 Neches River Rally. Coming Saturday September 12 at 8:00 am. More details coming this summer.

2025 BIG THICKET DAY ON THE NECHES

See a short slide show from this years Big Thicket Day Celebration.

The rally was fun! See a short presentation from this years Rally.

2025 RALLY Video

Current News

1. BTA is NOW HIRING part-time River Boat Captains and Deckhands. For more information on these paid and volunteer positions, click this link: Ivory Bill Crew

2. Purchase "surplus" 2024-5 Neches River Rally T-Shirts. Click Here to PURCHASE

3. Charters are available all year. Book on our website. Register for all tours here

DONATE TO BTA NOW

We thank our Big Thicket Day Sponsors:

PortBmt

Beaumont Convention & Visitors Bureau

Coburns Supply

MonumentRoofing

RaveFinancial

BTPlumbing

60th Anniversary of the Big Thicket Association.

The Big Thicket Association (BTA) is committed to expanding, enhancing and protecting the Big Thicket National Preserve, in order to assure the preservation, conservation and protection of the natural, scenic and recreational values of a significant portion of the Big Thicket region of southeast Texas.

The Big Thicket Association operates the "Ivory Bill", a covered excursion boat on the Neches River for school field trips, social events and Nature classes. The boat operates on the open river, and is capable of navigating the shallows of cypress-lined backwater channels. Charters available year round.

Neches River Adventures

The Big Thicket Association began 60 years ago! ...Where is the "Big Thicket"? "the name originally applied to the area between the Old San Antonio Road and the coastal prairie of South Texas from the Sabine River on the east as far west as the Brazos River... As settlement progressed, it became evident that the impenetrable thickets stopped far short of the Brazos, and the Trinity River came to be considered their western border. To East Texas sportsmen of 1900 the Big Thicket meant northwestern Hardin and southeastern Polk counties. It was, and by many continues to be, considered to extend eastward to include all of Tyler, Jasper and Newton counties; most of Sabine, San Augustine and Angelina counties; eastern Trinity and Montgomery and north Liberty counties. "The area is almost coextensive with that which originally supported stands of long-leaf yellow pine..."

60th Anniversary Year

The Thicket of Diversity project is dedicated to biological field research in the Big Thicket National Preserve, coordinating activities of field biologists doing species inventory and research projects.

Thicket of Diversity

Latest stories

featured image thumbnail for post BTA Debuts the Neches River Series Playlist

BTA Debuts the Neches River Series Playlist • August 26, 2021

The Big Thicket Association is pleased to share the debut of the Neches River Series Playlist on our YouTube channel, a collection of education/ information and scenic videos for students, teachers, and the public. Generous funding by BASF Total Energies Petrochemical, LCC. and the Mamie McFaddin Ward Heritage Foundation made this project possible. Big Thicket staff and volunteers worked with…

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