Sponsored by the Big Thicket Association and Partners
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.
The All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory, and TWIGS
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.
The Big Thicket National Preserve's Field Research Station and Learning Center (FRSLC) provides students and researchers a facility to support research and field studies in the Preserve and surrounding region. The Station also welcomes environmental education programs.
New species to science are being discovered at Big Thicket! We have much more to learn about life and habitats. The Big Thicket has long been touted as having a diverse flora and fauna, which scientists continue to enjoy documenting and studying. The world of field biology is an important discipline to nourish!
Researchers are the heart and soul of the ATBI effort. They perform the field sampling and identification of organisms collected during the inventory. They produce milestone reports and scientific reports and studies in peer-reviewed journals. Field research involves students working closely with faculty, preparing a new generation of people dedicated to the study of Life.
The Big Thicket Association 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.
Thicket of Diversity on iNaturalist.org
Recent Observations on iNaturalist:
 | butterfly pea |
 | Six-lined Racerunner |
 | Black-shouldered Spinyleg |
 | Eastern Amberwing |
 | spotted horse mint |