Big Thicket National Preserve

COOPERATIVE CONSERVATION CASE STUDY

Creative Conservation Partnership Protects One of Nation’s Most Endangered Parks

Location: South-Central/South-West

Project Summary: An addition of more than 4,400 acres of forestland to Big Thicket National Preserve will permanently safeguard wildlife habitat and recreation areas in one of the nation’s most vulnerable parks.

Big Thicket Forestland

Resource Challenge

The preserve is home to several endangered species, including bald eagles, peregrine falcons, swallow-tailed kites and Louisiana pine snakes. Seventeen varieties of orchids grow in the Big Thicket, where magnolias can reach 80 feet high.

Despite its ecological value, threats of habitat fragmentation, possible development and suburban sprawl placed the Big Thicket National Preserve on the 2003 and 2004 America’s Ten Most Endangered Parks List, distributed annually by the National Parks Conservation Association.

Examples of Key Partners

The Conservation Fund, Centex Homes Land Legacy Fund, Land and Water Conservation Fund

Temple-Inland Inc., National Park Service, and others.

Results and Accomplishments

This acquired forestland is a critical private inholding located within the preserve. The property will be transferred to the National Park Service and incorporated into the Preserve's Village Creek Corridor, Big Sandy Creek Corridor and Canyonlands Units.

The acquisition is part of The Conservation Fund’s broader strategy to preserve important forestland and wildlife habitat in east Texas. In recent years, timber companies have announced the sale of more than two million acres of forestland across the region. Because of the presence of wetlands and bottomland hardwood forests, much of this forestland has been identified as important wildlife habitat by state and federal agencies as well as other conservation organizations.

Innovation/Highlight

The Conservation Fund also worked closely with the Big Thicket Association, U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), and the Texas congressional delegation to secure federal appropriations from the Land and Water Conservation Fund to support the protection of the property. Congress is currently considering the President’s FY06 budget, which could allocate additional funding to protect the preserve.

Project Contact

Andy Jones
Director, Texas Office, TCF
The Conservation Fund
101 West 6th Street, Suite 601
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 477-1712
TCFTexas@aol.com

Website: http://www.conservationfund.org

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Current Conservation Programs