The Big Thicket Association

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

The 2022 Neches River Rally was held September 10. Here is a video.
See also: Photos from the 2021 Big Thicket DayPhotos from the 2021 Neches River Rally

Current News

1. Explore Black Bears in Texas at a Science Cafe on December 13th, 6:30 pm at Logon Cafe in Beaumont. Speaker Ms. Katie Krouse.

2. BTA held our inaugural Guided Bus Tour of the Big Thicket National Preserve Saturday, November 4 for 8am to 3 pm. Folks departed Beaumont and traveled through the eastern section of the Preserve with opportunities for short hikes at each stop. Interpreters gave short talks at each stop.

3. Big Thicket Day 2023 was held Oct 7 at Colliers Ferry Park with live entertainment, loads of exhibitors, free food and paddling lessons. We thank our Big Thicket Day Sponsors:

LNVA

Amer V&H

Bmt CVB

BMW

Coburns

EFFCU

PortBmt

PALNG

Rave

Reed

SNND

Total

EthridgeDinner

A post event dinner with keynote speaker, authors, invited guests and board members was held at Ethridge Farms B&B after a successful day on the river.

Public Tours are available on the IVORY BILL every Saturday through November 4. Charters are available year round through bookings on our website.

59th 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.

Save these Dates for Upcoming Events sponsored by BTA.

Upcoming Events

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 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

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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