Sat, Sep 12, 2026
Some previous events:
Photos from the 2021 Neches River Rally
Photos from the 2021 Big Thicket Day
See a short slide show from this years Big Thicket Day Celebration.
We are still celebrating our 60th!:
Neches River Adventures
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.
60th Anniversary Year
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..."
Thicket of Diversity
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.
Upcoming Events
View CalendarSat, Oct 10, 2026
2026 BIG THICKET DAY ON THE NECHES
Current News
All NewsMay 8, 2026
BTA is hiring river boat captains and deckhands
BTA is hiring part-time River Boat Captains and Deckhands.
Ivory Bill CrewTake Action
Purchase surplus Neches River Rally T-Shirts
Purchase surplus 2024-5 Neches River Rally T-Shirts.
Purchase T-ShirtsDonate to BTA
Support the Big Thicket Association's conservation, education, research, and public engagement work.
Donate NowPrograms
Charters are available all year
Book Neches River Adventures charters through the Ivory Bill tour website.
Register for toursCommunity Support
We thank our Big Thicket Day Sponsors
