Join legendary mycologist David Lewis, author of Mushrooms of the Gulf Coast States who has discovered many new species of mushrooms in Deep East Texas at the Watson Rare Native Plant Preserve. The preserve offers a sampling of the diversity of the area. The Preserve was established in the 1980’s by Geraldine Watson, a noted artist, botanist and author. She managed the preserve by using fire to restore its Longleaf pine ecosystem. Orchids, pitcher plants and other rare plants can be found there. There is an elevated boardwalk near the lake to make wetter habitats easily accessible.  

IS THIS FOR ME?

This event is for people that want to explore the diverse ecosystem of Deep East Texas while sharpening their ID skills, and learning more about the fungi kindom. You do not need to be an expert or CTMS member to participate - this is a learning opportunity and the more eyes we have the more we will discover together. This is a family friendly event. Kids under 12 are free and must be accompanied by an adult.

PRO TIP

Plan on allowing 1 hour to travel from locations where you might be lodging or camping because this area is really spread out. Make sure you have GPS and a local map downloaded to your phone or a paper map. There are many dead zones in the Big Thicket with no cell phone service.

WHAT WE WILL PROVIDE

• Field Guides & Field Data Slips

• Water, Snacks

WHAT TO BRING

• Water, Snacks

• Basket, Knife, Small Tacklebox

• Field Guide / Notebook

• Camera

• Rubber Boots / Waterproof Footwear

• Mosquito Repellent or Mosquito netting

• Folding Chair

• Camping Gear (if you are camping)

DETAILED DIRECTIONS

The Watson Preserve is located in Lake Hyatt Estates off US Hwy 69, 16 miles north of Kountze or 4 miles south of Warren. Look for very large brick markers reading “Lake Hyatt Estates”  on both sides of County Road 4770 (This CR is also next to several large  metal buildings on the east side of the Highway that are East Texas Paint & Body Shop.) Go east on CR 4770, for 1.2 miles (you will cross a dam with the lake on the left) to a fork in road. A “Watson Preserve” sign is on the street sign with an arrow pointing to the left.  Turn there on CR 4777, go 2/10 miles to the Preserve on the left.  You will see a grey building with “Gallery” across it and a Preserve sign.  You may park at the Gallery or along the road.

Lodging

Gateway Inn Motel
312 S Margaret Ave, Kirbyville, TX 75956 (409) 423-4611

Super 8 Kountze Big Thicket Natl Pres Area
990 N Pine St, Kountze, TX 77625  (409) 246-8680

Pinewood Inn & Suites
870 Hwy 96 S, Silsbee, TX 77656 409-385-5593

Woodville Inn
201 N Magnolia St, Woodville, TX 75979 +14092833741 

CAMPING

All of the options below are approximately 45 miles from daily, foray meet-up points. Allow 1 hour of drive time to meeting points. HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you have at least a half tank of gas before wandering around the Big Thicket. It’s BIG. Make sure you have gps and a local map downloaded to your phone or a paper map. There are many dead zones in the Big Thicket with no cell phone service.

Big Thicket National Preserve Permits & Reservations
Backcountry camping permits are available for free at the visitor center in Kountze. No reservations needed.. Visitor Center 6102 FM 420, Kountze, Texas 77625. The phone is 409-951-6700.

Village Creek State Park, Lumberton 

8854 Park Road 74, Lumberton, TX 77657  | (409) 755-7322

Indian Springs - RV, Tent, and Cabin Camping
6106 Holland Cemetary Rd.Kountze, TX 77625 | 409-781-3074

Martin Dies Jr. State Park, between Jasper and Woodville
634 Park Road 48 South Jasper, TX 75951  |  (409) 384-5231

Steinhagen Lake: Magnolia Ridge or Sandy Creek 

Davy Crockett National Forest
18551 Texas 7, Kennard, TX 75847 (936) 655-2299

Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area
Has 56 campsites, both first-come, first-served and reservable. Campsites in Dogwood Loop have electrical hookups and can accommodate vehicles up to 50 ft. Flush toilets, hot and cold showers and trash bins are also provided.

ABOUT MYCOLOGIST DAVID LEWIS

David Lewis is a retired chemist and avid mycologist. He is the author of the Mushrooms of the Gulf Coast States field guide. He received his Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Lamar University, Beaumont, TX, where his thesis was based on a study of East Texas mushrooms. He is a Research Associate with the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL, and 5000 collections of his fungi are deposited there. He is an honorary staff member associated with the Tracy Herbarium at Texas A&M University. Since 2006 he has been the Fungal TWiG leader, the coordinator for mycologists, for the Big Thicket National Preserve All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory. He is the former President of the Gulf States Mycological Society, has authored several papers related to mycology, and discovered many new species of mushrooms (three species are named for him).

In November 2009 he received The North American Mycological Association's award for Contributions to Amateur Mycology, a prestigious award showing appreciation for his many years of dedicated work. He and his wife Patricia live on 65 wooded acres in Newton County, Texas, where they enjoy their plants, fungi and wildlife.

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