Thicket of Diversity
A Project of the Big Thicket Association
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What Is The Big Thicket?
What is the Thicket of Diversity?
The Thicket of Diversity (ToD), an All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory, is managed as a committee of the Big Thicket Association. The ToD has been undertaken to enhance the ability of conservation stewards to identify every living species inhabiting the Big Thicket National Preserve (BITH) and surrounding area and the role of ecosystem dynamics in its health. Partners include the Big Thicket National Preserve, The Nature Conservancy, Texas Parks & Wildlife, John H. Kirby State Forest, Big Thicket Natural Heritage Trust, Watson Rare Native Plant Preserve, academic institutions and a myriad of concerned conservation individuals and other organizations.
Vision and Goals
Identify and document living species in the Big Thicket region, support resource managers, and build a durable record of biodiversity for future generations.
The Thicket of Diversity encourages researchers, students, and citizen scientists to work together so that discoveries are verified, shared, and preserved in forms useful to conservation stewardship.
- Support field inventories and taxonomic research across the Big Thicket region.
- Maintain public-facing records, reports, and educational resources.
- Help connect volunteers, partner institutions, and conservation managers.
Mission
Coordinate researchers, partners, students, and citizen scientists as they collect, verify, and share biodiversity knowledge for conservation stewardship.
The project exists to improve understanding of the abundance, diversity, and ecological relationships of life in the Big Thicket National Preserve and surrounding lands and waters.
Through the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory, ToD helps turn field observations and research into useful knowledge for future study, public education, and long-term protection of the region.
The All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory
TWIGS, researchers, and citizen scientists make the inventory possible.
Taxonomic Working Inventory Groups (TWIGS) are the heart and soul of the ToD effort. They perform the field sampling and identification of organisms collected during the inventory. Citizen Scientists are invited to participate. These volunteers help provide key support research. People of all ages enjoy opportunities to learn, explore, make friends, and contribute to a unique and worthwhile endeavor. This undertaking would not be possible without generous support. Donations also help BTA fund researchers seeking knowledge about the components, abundance, and diversity of life in the Big Thicket. Financial support is appreciated.
Researcher Partners
Researchers and partner institutions help turn field observations into verified biodiversity records.
Browse researcher reports, proposals, publications, and project documentation connected to the Thicket of Diversity inventory.
View researchers and reports
Support
Help fund researchers documenting the abundance and diversity of life in the Big Thicket.
Community Science
Citizen scientists, students, and volunteers provide key support for the inventory effort.
Science
Explore the inventory, checklists, new species, maps, publications, and researcher reports.
Planning Documents
Review the research process, project documents, and field station information.
Resources
Find species identification links, educational materials, and guides.
Contact
Reach the project team and Big Thicket Association contacts.
Field Research Station
Learn about lodging, registration, current reservations, and station support for field work.
Big Thicket Association
Return to the parent organization and related conservation programs.