Support our valuable work
The purpose of the THICKET OF DIVERSITY project is to identify and locate all living species in the Big Thicket Region and to aid resource managers to protect its biodiversity “for future generations”. This basic research establishes base-line and historical data that will be used to determine the health and future of the Thicket’s very diverse ecosystems. Inventory data is recorded according to strict National Park Service standards and is housed in their national database. The ToD additionally analyzes data in a Taxa Tally for easy comparisons.
Support the Thicket of Diversity - Donate Here
You may donate online using the link above, or you may mail a check or money order, payable to the Big Thicket Association. Please designate to Thicket of Diversity.
700 North St, Suite 79
Beaumont, TX 77701
Please feel free to call the office for other payment options or questions 409-790-5399.
If you have questions about the Thicket of Diversity, please email info@thicketofdiversity.org or the Big Thicket Association at director@bigthicket.org
In 2006 the THICKET OF DIVERSITY was initiated. The name was established from Maxine Johnston’s quote, “At hearings in 1993, Big Thicket was the first national domain established because of its biodiversity. At a time when “biodiversity” had not yet become a “buzzword” and “migration corridor” concepts were being explored, local conservationists used those concepts as a rationale for protecting the flora and fauna of the Big Thicket region.” This ambitious project involves universities, observatories, museums, government agencies, scientists and volunteers.
Support our researchers
The THICKET OF DIVERSITY works with participants that include top researchers from Rice, Texas A&M, Lamar, Stephen F. Austin, and Sam Houston State Universities, University of Texas at Tyler, Texas State University, as well as institutions from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, West Virginia, the Russian Academy of Sciences, and the National Museum of Natural History, France. Other partners include: Texas Parks and Wildlife, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, The Nature Conservancy, Big Thicket Natural Heritage Trust, Houston Advanced Research Center, Mercer Arboretum, Houston Zoo, Smithsonian Institutes, U.S. Geological Survey, Gulf States Mycological Society, and, of course, the National Park Service’s Big Thicket National Preserve.
Support our accomplishments
Since establishment in 2006, 5,616 species have been identified with 47 new to Science, 563 new to the Preserve, 349 new to the State, and 6 new to the United States.
BTA encourages you to help us keep the health of this project alive through your donations. Please join us and contribute an amount that you are willing to invest in the THICKET OF DIVERSITY project beyond your BTA membership.
Most recent accomplishments summaries
Accomplishments Summary 2024-2026
TCEQ - Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
The ToD, as a committee of the Big Thicket Association, is a 501(c)3 non-profit and receives funding from various sources. Since 2012 the ToD has partnered with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) on a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP). SEP’s are environmentally beneficial projects that a repsondent agrees to undertake in settlement of an enforcement action. Dollars directed to a TCEQ approved environmental project may be used to offset assessed penalties in enforcement actions.
The BTA’s approved SEP addresses “Wetland Species and Ecosystem Analysis.” If your organization is facing a TCEQ fine, consider designating to the BTA’s approved SEP. These monies are used to fund grants to researchers and for dissemination of the data for better research management.
