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

BTA announces 2023 Big Thicket Day, our Anniversary Celebration and General Membership Meeting. We have scheduled this event for Saturday October 7th 11:30 to 3:00, again a FREE family-friendly event at Collier's Ferry Park in Beaumont.

BTA announces our inaugural Guided Bus Tour of the Big Thicket National Preserve for Saturday, November 4 for 8am to 3 pm. Folks will depart Beaumont and travel through the eastern section of the Preserve with opportunities for short hikes at each stop. Interpreters will be giving short talks at each stop. Get Tickets

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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