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 blog postWe're Losing our Redbay Trees
I have some very bad news. It concerns two of our most common but easily-overlooked shrubs/small…See More
Linda Knowles commented on Verne Lehmberg's photo
Unknown orchid From Dayton by Judy Lehmberg anyone identify?
"It is bletilla, a non native orchid that is sold commercially."
Pauline Singleton posted a blog postNo Campaign Posters on the Preserve, Please
Without the knowledge or consent of the Board of Directors of Watson Preserve, someone put some…See More
Verne Lehmberg posted a photo
Unknown orchid From Dayton by Judy Lehmberg anyone identify?
My wife found these in a neighbors yard. The owner said she did not know the origin, but were there…
Photos
2015 Prescribed Burn
by Pauline Singleton Added March 29, 2015 at 4:43pm
Bee Tour
by Pauline Singleton Added October 8, 2014 at 10:03pm
2014 Activities
by Pauline Singleton Added September 30, 2014 at 10:46pm
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
Blog Posts
We're Losing our Redbay Trees
Posted by Pauline Singleton on August 21, 2016 at 9:30pm 0 Comments 1 Like
I have some very bad news. It concerns two of our most common but easily-overlooked shrubs/small trees: the redbay (Persea borbonia) and sassafras (Sassafras albidum). They don’t directly affect people’s lives, except that sassafras is the source of the flavoring for root beer and gumbo file, and redbay is occasionally used in cooking. They do play a role in the ecosystems of east Texas, and we may be about to receive an unpleasant lesson in the interconnectedness…
Continue No Campaign Posters on the Preserve, Please
Posted by Pauline Singleton on April 18, 2016 at 7:54pm 0 Comments 1 Like
Without the knowledge or consent of the Board of Directors of Watson Preserve, someone put some campaign posters for one of the presidential candidates on trees on Watson Preserve.
We are a 501c3 tax-exempt corporation, and therefore do not support specific candidates for office. Any political material that we find on the preserve will be removed. So please, save yourself some time and energy, and post such materials somewhere else. Please don't take it personally, but a…
Continue Species List for Mushroom Walk June 27, 2015
Posted by Pauline Singleton on September 19, 2015 at 2:22pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Watson Rare Native Plant Preserve
Mushroom Walk
June 27, 2015
Species List
Agaricus silvaticus Schaeff
Amanita bisporigera Atkinson
Amanita flavoconia Atkinson
Amanita peckiana complex
Amanita vaginata complex
Boletus oliveisporus (Murr) Murr
Cantarellus tabernensis Feibelman & Cibula
Coltricia cinnamomea (Jacq.:Pers.)…
Continue
facebook page!
Posted by Meredith Wilson on September 1, 2015 at 10:45am 0 Comments 0 Likes
Hello everyone! Please visit The Watson Rare Native Plant Preserve facebook page and join the group! It's an open forum so please post pictures, comments, questions, or educational links to the page! We will try and keep it as updated as possible with walks and workdays that are coming up so that you will be notified through facebook. Spread the word as this is a great way to get people involved and exploring new areas! Thanks!…
ContinueVideos
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
Workdays:
Events:
Mushroom Walk: Saturday November 19th, 2016.Starts at 10:00 am. Leaders: David and Patricia Lewis.
Birding Tour: Saturday, September 17 at 9:00 am. Join avid birder and Texas Master Naturalist Kathleen Appelbaum and look for fall migrants and resident birds. All levels of interest and experience are welcome to come. If you arrive late, just catch up (the Preserve is 10 acres in extent, so they can't get too far ahead of you).
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.
© 2016 Created by Linda Knowles.
Powered by
