Explore the Neches River with us !
Teachers and School Districts--Contact us regarding our TEKS/TACS correlated programs:
ELRC Environmental Learning and Research Center
REGISTER for a river adventure.
Explore
the untamed
natural river
of Texas--the Neches River.
Is your garden wildlife friendly ?
ELRC Partners
Beaumont: Texas with a little something extra
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Support making the Neches River a Wild and Scenic River--purchase Paddling the Wild Neches--proceeds go to support this effort.
Did you know?
Two-thirds of the water in Texas is in Southeast Texas. Two-thirds of the population is not. Get involved in our water issues before it is too late.
Join the many folks enjoying
the Neches River on the Cardinal
Feathers and Flowers
As Southeast Texas moves through April and early may, this is one of the best times of year to spend time in the outdoors enjoying the wild flowers and diverse bird populations in Southeast Texas.
A great resource to help you find birding
locations is the Texas Birding Trail: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/
huntwild/wild/wildlife_trails/
coastal/upper/ Once you select a loop on the trail, information about each site on the loop is listed, including detailed instructions on how to reach each site, examples of wildlife that can be seen, and contacts for additional information.
Check out the Texas Forest Trail for wild flower information: http://www.
texasforesttrail.
com/home/index.asp You will find a Spring Special Events brochure there that will help you find wildflowers and special events in the area.
Do you have a group planning a visit to
the Big Thicket? Ranger Leslie Dubey says that you should call the Visitors
Center for information regarding hiking or paddling trails.
As schedules permit, the Big Thicket may be able to
schedule a Ranger to accompany your group. Call:
409-951-6725
Special TripsFor Your Group
Cardinal River Adventures has a limited number of special programs at no charge to qualifying student and senior groups. If you are a teacher or work with a seniors group in this area, call for information:
409-880-8907.
Neches River Paddle
Join the Southeast Texas Kayak and Canoe Group paddle on the Neches River on April 4. Travel from Town Bluff to Sheffield Ferry. This 15 mile section is in the Upper Neches River Corridor Unit of the Big Thicket National Preserve; higher bluffs & hardwoods distinguish it from the lower section. Email Kayak@Outdoorstudies.com for additional information.Explore the Neches River with Us.
Public Neches River tours are currently available leaving from Beaumont's Riverfront Park at 10:00 AM on Saturdays. Reservations are encouraged, but walkups are accepted as space is available.
409-880-8907
Cardinal Neches River Adventures: Creating a world where everyone enjoys and protects the Neches River and all of its surrounding natural resources in Southeast Texas.
Beavers, Bears, and Bobcats
Big Thicket Ranger Leslie
Dubey will provide a special program, "Beavers, Bears, and Bobcats,"
on the Cardinal River Boat Cruise at 10:00 AM on April 11.
Find out what inhabits the forests and
bottomlands throughout Southeast Texas. You'll be surprised at the creatures
that live in our outdoors--not far from your backdoor.
Join Ranger Dubey on a trip up the Neches River
into the backwaters just outside of Beaumont. The boat leaves from Riverfront
Park for a two-hour river adventure.
Leslie has worked for the National Park
Service since 1975 and is currently the Resource Education Specialist
for the Big Thicket National Preserve.
This popular Ranger has 28 years specialized
experience in environmental education and is the founding member of
several environmental groups in Southeast Texas.
During the 2009
season Cardinal River Adventures offers a series of special Saturday
programs such as this one on its 49-passenger river boat. This season's
narrative cruises feature different experts in the culture, history,
and natural surroundings of the Neches River.
Normal fares of $15.00 and $5.00 will
be charged respectively for adults and children five years of age and
under. Call 409-880-8907 for additional
information and a copy of the program for the year.
For an copy of the Guest Speaker Schedule on the Web go to :
http://lulearn.net/NewsLetter/
guestspeakers.htm
National
Environmental
Education
Week
April 12-18
It's in the News...
A National Wild and Scenic River
The Neches River is being considered for addition to
the National Wild and Scenic River System. The river must offer outstanding
scenic, geologic, cultural, and recreational value. It is a great opportunity
to be considered. For those who are not familiar with this method of river
conservation I offer the following explanation.
The National Wild and Scenic River System
was created by Congress in 1968. It currently includes 166 rivers in 38
states. Goals then as well as now are preservation of designated rivers
and to keep the rivers in a free flowing condition, accessible to current
and future generations. Congress does not gain any zoning authority; rather
it envisioned a cooperative system of government agencies, individuals,
and public groups working to protect the best interest of the river.
Most of the river would be classified as
either scenic or recreational. This means much of the shoreline would
remain undeveloped. Others areas would remain easily accessible by rail
or road, having limited development and improvements.
Dam projects would be prohibited, thus preserving
bottomland hardwood forests and wetlands.
The use of private property for timber harvesting, agriculture, and residence
would not be affected. The ability to buy and sell such land remains unaffected
as well. In fact because the river and adjacent land are protected property
values have a greater potential for increase. (read
more)