Big Thicket hosting volunteer planting events

Big Thicket National Preserve is expanding the volunteer longleaf pine planting efforts to ecosystem-wide planting events this winter. Volunteers can join park staff and partners to plant longleaf pine and native grasses in December, January, and February.

The first restoration event is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 10, and is geared toward youth organizations. Youth of all ages are invited to learn more about the preserve and stewardship with the National Park Service while planting grasses to rejuvenate the understory of the ecosystem. The second event will take place on Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, where volunteers will be planting grasses and longleaf pines. The third and final event will take place on Presidents’ Day, Feb. 20, 2023.

During the events, the area surrounding the planting areas will be closed for hunting. Notices will be posted a week in advance in those locations.