Watson Rare Native Plant Preserve
The Watson Rare Native Plant Preserve is a 501c (3) non-profit organization in Warren Texas, about 45 miles north of Beaumont and was created by the late Geraldine Watson, one of the activists who worked to create the Big Thicket National Preserve. This website of the Watson Rare Native Plant Preserve is open to the public for viewing. Contents are posted by a group of volunteers at the preserve.
The Watson Rare Native Plant Preserve has many rare and endangered species of native plants, including seven species of orchids, four of the five types of carnivorous plants native to North America, and ten species of ferns. Geraldine Watson had discovered a site that exhibited almost all of the plant communities for which the Big Thicket is famous. She purchased it and worked to restore it to its original condition.
The preserve is open to the public at no charge and guided tours may be arranged (281-421-2469). Read more about the Watson Rare Native Plant Preserve by clicking the About tab to link to a Google document about the Preserve.
Maps are on www.watsonpreserve.org and link to google map of approximate GPS location of the preserve. 
Photo of Chapman's Orchid by Pauline Singleton
Latest Activity
Pauline Singleton posted a photo
DSC04361 Veratrum virginicum (Bunchflower)
Photographed 6-28-14. This member of the lily family is tricky to photograph, as the bloom is 6…
Brandon Sivek posted a status"Hi everyone! Quick question. To the Right of Ms. Watsons house, there is a tree with large leaves. Is it a magnolia macrophylla? Thanks!"
Photos
Dragonflies & Damselflies
by Sergio Henao Added October 13, 2013 at 10:28pm
Ferns
by Sergio Henao Added August 2, 2013 at 11:09pm
Paige at Watson
by Sue Singletary Added July 27, 2013 at 7:21pm
Geraldine Watson lecturing students
by Verne Lehmberg Added July 27, 2013 at 12:35pm
Mushroom Walk 2013
by Pauline Singleton Added June 4, 2013 at 9:05pm
Butterfies
by Sergio Henao Added February 5, 2013 at 7:50pm
Wildflower Walk 9-29-12
by Pauline Singleton Added September 30, 2012 at 9:36pm
Wildflower-Butterfly Walk August 11, 2012
by Pauline Singleton Added August 12, 2012 at 4:36pm
Remembering Geraldine
by Pauline Singleton Added August 5, 2012 at 3:17pm
Trees & Shrubs
by Pauline Singleton Added August 3, 2012 at 5:39pm
Platanthera chapmanii, Chapman's orchid
by sonnia hill Added August 2, 2012 at 3:28pm
Chapman's Orchid Walk 7-28-12
by Pauline Singleton Added July 29, 2012 at 2:45pm
Blog Posts
Summer 2013
Posted by Pauline Singleton on November 3, 2013 at 6:34pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
I can't believe the summer of 2013 is history. It was an eventful summer. In addition to events mentioned earlier, a youth group from Triumphant Lutheran Church in San Antonio under the supervision of Youth Pastor Chris St. Clair came out on July 26 and spent several hours helping us out. We are very grateful to them for their assistance. We are also very grateful to the staff of the National Park Service for putting them in touch with us.
Joe Liggio again led a wildflower walk to…
Continue Species List from David Lewis from June Mushroom Walk
Posted by Pauline Singleton on October 7, 2013 at 8:47pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
GSMS species list, Watson Rare Plant Preserve, Lake Hyatt, TX
Mushroom walk, June 1, 2013
Amanita bisporigera…
Continue Mushroom Hunt
Posted by Pauline Singleton on June 4, 2013 at 10:26pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Twenty-something people gathered at Watson Preserve on June 1 to brave the heat and search for mushrooms. All levels of skill were represented, from beginners to experienced mycologists. David and Pat Lewis did a great job of leading the activities. We hope they will do it again There is no better way to learn more about fungi than to go into the field with an expert. I have posted a few photos and will try to add a few more as I get time. If David gives me a list of species found, I…
Continue May, 2013
Posted by Pauline Singleton on May 27, 2013 at 10:10pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Our thanks to DeAndra Ramsey from the Houston Zoo for bringing a group of college students to Watson Preserve on May 23. Eleven young people pitched in and helped us for about 3 1/2 hours that Thursday. They demolished and removed the old privy; they loaded up a pine tree that had earlier been cut down (it leaned over the cabin) and hauled it off site; they cut down and removed a number of Chinese tallow trees. We were really amazed at what they got done in such a short time. It is…
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About
Donations
Watson Rare Native Plant Preserve is a 501c3 charitable corporation, and donations, while never a requirement for a visit, are always welcome and are tax-deductible.
If you would like to make a donation to support the preserve, and would like for your donation to be tax deductible, pay by check, with the check made out to Watson Rare Native Plant Preserve, and send to Watson Rare Native Plant Preserve, PO Box 533, Warren, TX 77664.
If you wish to confirm our status with the IRS, our EIN is 80-0316780.
Events & Links
Board of Directors Meetings
The next regular meeting of the Board of Directors will be Sunday, September 21, 2014 at 1:00 pm in Houston, TX at the I-HOP on I-10 at Washington Blvd
Workdays:
June 7, 2014 Starts at 8:00 am, to take advantage of cooler morning temperatures, but you may come later.
FOR THE YEAR 2014:
Mushroom Walk with David and Patricia Lewis on Saturday, June 28, 2014, starting at 10:00 am. This event will go on RAIN or SHINE.
Wildflower Walk Saturday July 26, 2014, starting at 9:30 am. Chapman's orchids should be blooming.
Watch this space in the 48 hours preceding the event. If anything should happen (such as illness, or a hurricane, God forbid) to cause cancellation, we will notify you HERE.
For more information about events, call 281-421-2469 or email pollytx1@gmail.com.
LINKS:
Big Thicket Association
Big Thicket National Preserve
Butterfly Enthusiasts of East Texas
Gulf States Mycological Society, Inc.
© 2014 Created by Linda Knowles.
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