Birding & Wildlife

An amazing diversity of plants and animals from many parts of North America live in the Big Thicket region of southeastern Texas.

The 2nd annual BioBlitz takes place June 9-14, 2008 at the Big Thicket National Preserve. Researchers will be in the field collecting data throughout the week, and on Friday, June 13 and Saturday, June 14th those scientists will showcase their data. This is an opportunity for the general public to be a part of real science and on Saturday, it’s a fun day for the whole family with booths, hands on activities, and free food.

Trees--pines, oaks, sweet gums, hollies--line either side of the long dirt road, giving travelers the illusion of driving through a dense forest.

The birding along Gore Store Road is renowned; birders frequently visit the area to view threatened and endangered species.

The Neches River Rendezvous is a scenic 10- mile canoe trip down the Neches River. This nature tourism event is designed to promote outdoor wilderness adventure in East Texas by framing a day of paddling with the panoramic Neches River and surrounding forests. We invite you to come and enjoy the beauty, challenge, and pleasure of the Neches River!

Twenty miles north of Beaumont, visitors to this 5,561-acre sanctuary can hike, bird watch, or rent canoes from local vendors.

Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center is a project of the Nelda C. and H.J. Stark Foundation in Orange, Texas. Its mission of “mentoring children of all ages to be kind to their world” promotes the growth and appreciation of both arts and nature in Southeast Texas. H.J. Lutcher, who built the original Shangri-La in Orange more than 60 years ago, said, “I’m working with nature, trying to paint this scene with the most beautiful colors nature will give me.”

Activities include camping, picnicking, swimming, canoeing, hiking, fishing, and birding.

Rookeries and parks within the project area make great stop-offs for birders on their way to the Pineywoods from Houston.