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Big Thicket's 50th Anniversary Celebration in Photos

graphic with text: Big Thicket National Preserve 50th Anniversary Celebration October 12, 2024 and photos of people at the event made to look like polaroids on a folded piece of paper.

NPS / Scott Sharaga

Big Thicket Celebrates 50 Years

On October 12, 2024, Big Thicket National Preserve held its 50th anniversary celebration. Over 250 people attended this unique event to reflect on the past, present, and future of America's first national preserve.

Guest speakers presented their perspectives on Big Thicket. Former employees reunited and swapped stories. The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe shared their history and traditional dances. Hikers experienced the new Longleaf Pine Trail. And of course there was cake.

a large banner hanging from wooden beams that reads: Big Thicket National Preserve 50th Anniversary. The National Park Service arrowhead logo is featured.

It was a banner occasion. NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga

The visitor center and park headquarters were abuzz with activity on a near-perfect October morning. Park staff set up tables and tents and prepared the grounds in anticipation of what would be a lively day of festivities.

a park ranger stands at a green table with props on it, next to a sign that says visitor center. She stands below a white canopy.

Ranger Heidi Dietze is ready to welcome visitors. NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga

Park employees were dressed sharply for the occasion!

3 park rangers wearing dark sunglasses, flat hats, gray shirts, and green pants, posing outside the visitor center.

The Resources Management team looking sharp: (from left to right) Biologist Andrew Bennett, Resources Management Program Manager Whitny Howeth, and Biological Science Technician Mitch Urban NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga

National Park Service Intermountain Deputy Regional Director Lance Hatten stopped by before the event to meet Big Thicket employees.

2 park rangers standing outside talking to each other. One is wearing a formal green jacket. The other is gesturing with his hands.

Deputy Regional Director Lance Hatten (left) speaks with Big Thicket Superintendent Wayne Prokopetz. NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga

Inside the visitor center theater, Big Thicket National Preserve Superintendent Wayne Prokopetz and Deputy Regional Director Hatten kicked off the celebration with opening speeches.

a park ranger speaking at a podium in front of a screen that says Big Thicket National Preserve 50th anniversary.

Deputy Regional Director Lance Hatten speaks about the significance of Big Thicket National Preserve. NPS Photo / Nathan Pattee

People came from all over southeast Texas and beyond to celebrate.

a man at a podium speaking to an audience while pointing to a screen.

Dr. Ben Morris of Stephen F. Austin State University shares his multimedia project, Longleaf, with the audience. NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga

Inside the visitor center, people added memories to an interactive timeline and designed their own version of the 50th anniversary logo.

people seated at an activity table inside a room with wooden walls, with a park ranger standing next to a taxidermy bear.

People inside the visitor center design their own 50th anniversary logo. NPS Photo / Nathan Pattee

Outside, partner organizations were set up under the big tent to talk about their contributions to Big Thicket National Preserve.

a woman at a table under a tent talking to a family with small children. Flyers and maps are set up in front of her. A parking lot is in the background.

Sandra Ramos of the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) talks about NPCA's partnership with Big Thicket National Preserve. NPS Photo / Nathan Pattee

The event was a reunion for many former employees, volunteers, and activists. Maxine Johnston, an activist who pushed for the preserve's establishment, displayed the pen that President Gerald Ford used to sign the preserve into law.

an older woman sitting next to an older man at table while sharing a laugh. Behind them is a display board with historic photos and text.

Big Thicket activist Maxine Johnston (left) shares a laugh with former superintendent Thomas Lubbert. NPS Photo / Nathan Pattee

No 50th anniversary celebration would be complete without cake! Thanks to the Big Thicket Association, attendees got to enjoy lunch and a slice of cake.

1 woman sitting and another woman standing, in front of a white cake sitting on a table in front of a wooden fence.

Maxine Johnston and Big Thicket Association Executive Director Diane Thompson ready to serve cake NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga

In the afternoon, the preserve formally opened the new Longleaf Pine Trail, which begins next to the visitor center. People of all ages enjoyed a nice stroll through the longleaf pine forest and stopped to talk to rangers along the way.

a park ranger standing at a table full of colorful props and objects, talking to a family with small children and adults.

Fire Ecologist Conor McInnerney talks about the effects of fire at a booth on the Longleaf Pine Trail. NPS Photo / Nathan Pattee

The trail leads hikers through stands of longleaf pine, some of which were planted by volunteers as part of a restoration project.

several pairs of hikers make their way down a wide trail line by tall pine trees.

People walked the new Longleaf Pine Trail in the afternoon. NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga

At the viewing platform, Ranger Max Harper talked to hikers about longleaf pines.

a park ranger stands next to very young pine trees while talking to a mother, father, and small children.

Ranger Max Harper talks about the stages of growth of longleaf pines. NPS Photo / Nathan Pattee

The Longleaf Pine Trail ends at a viewing platform built to give hikers an elevated view of the field of wildflowers in the wetland pine savannah.

8 hikers standing on a wooden platform enjoying the view of the pine forest and talking among each other.

Hikers enjoy the view from the platform at the end of the Longleaf Pine Trail. NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga

Attendees gathered on the lawn outside the visitor center for a special performance from members of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas, whose reservation is adjacent to Big Thicket National Preserve.

an audience of about one hundred people seated outside on a lawn near a big white tent and visitor center building.

It was a perfect fall afternoon to sit outside and enjoy the festivities. NPS Photo / Nathan Pattee

Following a history talk, Alabama-Coushatta dancers dressed in traditional regalia performed a series of dances.

a woman in bright red regalia shaking hands with people in the audience at an outdoor event.

Alabama-Coushatta Tribal Princess Aaliyah Johnson greets the audience. NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga

The Alabama-Coushatta dancers' regalia featured many bright colors.

An Alabama-Coushatta dancer wearing bright green, orange, red, yellow, and blue feather regalia as he dances.

Alabama-Coushatta dancer NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga

All of the dances were accompanied by drumming and singing.

An Alabama-Coushatta dancer wearing a rainbow-colored dress with shiny bells and white feathers. She is dancing on a grassy lawn in front of a seated audience with the visitor center in the background.

The audience was treated to several dances performed by the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe. NPS Photo / Nathan Pattee

For the last dance, the Friendship Dance, the Alabama-Coushatta invited the audience to participate.

Alabama-Coushatta dancers invited the audience to dance with them on the grassy lawn outside the visitor center.

At the end, Alabama-Coushatta dancers invited the audience to participate in the Friendship Dance. NPS Photo / Nathan Pattee

What a special day! We thank all of our partners, the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe, and the community for showing up and celebrating 50 years of Big Thicket National Preserve.

Join our next celebration or special event! From Junior Ranger Day to volunteer events, Big Thicket National Preserve hosts several special events every year, always free. Check our calendar of events for more information.

Ranger Programs & Events

Nature walks, canoe trips, special events and more! All programs are free.

50th Anniversary Recap

Big Thicket celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024.

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