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 sometimes 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.   

Photo of Chapman's Orchid by Pauline Singleton

Latest Activity

kathleen appelbaum left a comment for Lars Petterson
"Welcome Lars. I very much enjoyed meeting your daughter. She was very smart and very enthusiastic…"
Feb 7
Lars Petterson is now a member of Watson Preserve
Feb 7
cydney tucker is now a member of Watson Preserve
Jan 6
Pauline Singleton left a comment for Linda Jo Conn
"Welcome, Linda Jo! Pauline"
Dec 13, 2023
Linda Jo Conn is now a member of Watson Preserve
Dec 13, 2023
Frances Pfertner is now a member of Watson Preserve
Jun 7, 2023
Zara Mae Pickering updated their profile
May 17, 2023
Zara Mae Pickering is now a member of Watson Preserve
May 17, 2023
kathleen appelbaum left a comment for kevin rodriquez
"Welcome Kevin. The preserve is looking beautiful. Hope to see you soon. Kathleen"
May 15, 2023
kevin rodriquez updated their profile
May 14, 2023
kevin rodriquez is now a member of Watson Preserve
May 12, 2023
Neisha Watson updated their profile
Apr 7, 2023
Neisha Watson is now a member of Watson Preserve
Apr 7, 2023
Marilyn Johnson updated their profile
Apr 6, 2023
Marilyn Johnson is now a member of Watson Preserve
Apr 6, 2023
kathleen appelbaum left a comment for Harris Murphy
"Welcome Harris and Karen! We are so happy to have you join our group. There is a wildflower walk on…"
Mar 6, 2023
 

Photos

Blog Posts

Minutes from November BOD meeting

Posted by kathleen appelbaum on November 30, 2022 at 9:51am 0 Comments

Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors

of the

Watson Rare Native Plant Preserve

November 18, 2022

Internet Meeting via Zoom.com

1:10 pm


Highlights of the minutes
Members present: Pauline Singleton, Kathleen Appelbaum,…
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In Memory of Kris Petterson

Posted by kathleen appelbaum on February 22, 2022 at 10:30am 0 Comments

In the photo taken July 17, 2021, Kris was checking on the orchid seeds she had planted in Fall. The mosquitoes were very bad and she went to Walmart and bought a yard of tulle to wrap around her face.This young lady was very bright and full of curiosity about the natural world. Sadly she died way too soon on October 15, 2021.

Kris came to Watson Preserve to learn more about Orchid fungal and bacterial diversity. She was working in Dr Jyotsna Sharma's lab at Texas Tech University. She…

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Results of June 12, 2021 Mushroom Walk

Posted by Pauline Singleton on October 26, 2021 at 10:58pm 0 Comments

The following species were identified:

Akanthomyces aculeatus Lebert 

Amanita bisporigera Atkinson 

Amanita peckiana complex 

Amanita vaginata complex  

Callistosporium luteo-olivaceum (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) Singer …

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Highlights of Minutes January 2021 Board of Directors Meeting

Posted by Pauline Singleton on February 7, 2021 at 7:57pm 0 Comments

Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of Watson Rare Native Plant Preserve

January 8, 2021

Highlights of Minutes

 

Present: Pauline Singleton, Chris Eldredge, Jim Willis, Joe Liggio, Linda Knowles, Kathleen Appelbaum, Charles Smith, Wanda Smith, and Mike Howlett

 Chris Eldredge suggested that we put the minutes, or at least the most important parts of minutes, on the…

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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, please send a check to Watson Rare Native Plant Preserve, PO Box 533, Warren, TX 77664 or use the button below to use your credit card or Paypal.

If you wish to confirm our status with the IRS, our EIN is 80-0316780

EVENTS

Birding Hike

Saturday, March 9th from 9am to 10am Lisa and Kathleen Appelbaum will help you identify birds and answer any questions about eBird. Bring binoculars and a friend.

Wildflower Walk

Saturday, March 16th at 9:30 Joe Liggio and volunteers will tell us the history of the preserve and point out and name all the plants.

Volunteer Workday

Saturday, March 23rd 9am to Noon

We plan to work on trimming along the trails. Bring your energy and plant ID skills.We have loppers and hand pruners. We will provide water and snacks.

The March 27 workday has been cancelled.

For regular updates you can

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