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Anthony Castilaw with Castilaw Environmental Services, LLC, takes a photograph of the new property purchased by BTNHT.
Big Thicket Natural Heritage Trust (BTNHT) recently purchased three lots in Orange County, north of Vidor and adjacent to the Big Thicket National Preserve.
According to Mary Catherine Johnston, of the Trust, the property is prone to flooding and has been completely underwater during recent flooding events.
“The heavily forested thimbleful of land closes a gap in the National Park Service’s boundary, said Johnson. "Trust ownership and the land’s eventual donation to the Big Thicket National Preserve prevents development and ultimately protects the floodplain.”
In the fall, Trust officers traveled with Castilaw Environmental Services, LLC to conduct annual monitoring of a Trust conservation easement.
“The easement protects natural resources and prevents any future use that could significantly interfere with its conservation value,” stated Johnson.
The group toured by airboat, 474 acres of tidally-influenced marshland/ wooded wetlands.
Johnson noted the airboat tour was a unique glimpse into a wetland impacted by both man and nature. She stated on entry to the wetland, giant skeletal stumps protruded from the marsh.
“According to the airboat captain, we were viewing two timber cuts with some of them bearing the scars of being harvested by hand,” said Johnson. “Other dead trees, scattered along the waterline, showed the probable effects of salt water intrusion. In contrast, young cypress regrowth was evidenced. Bird activity was high, literally. Blue herons, osprey and even a bald eagle soared above the boaters.”
She noted BTNHT was able to establish a Stewardship and Defense Endowment through the Foundation For Southeast Texas to ensure its protection in perpetuity.
“Mitigation funds furthered the ability of the non-profit to steward the land,” Johnson added.