Over 19,000 Acres Along the Neches River Protected Through Partnership

By: Ellen Gass
Photos by Jay Brittain

​Texas Land Conservancy would like to welcome Boggy Slough Conservation Area into our protected property portfolio! Boggy Slough consists of more than 19,000 acres along 17 miles of the Neches River. With its addition, TLC now protects approximately 52 miles of the Neches River, or 12.5% of its total length!

Situated entirely in the East Texas Pineywoods, this preserve is host to bottomland hardwoods, upland pine forests, and pristine wildlife and game habitat. It supports incredible biological diversity, beautiful scenery, unique historical and cultural features, native flora and fauna, and several rare species, including two groups of the federally endangered red cockaded woodpeckers. In addition to the rare wildlife, Boggy Slough is home to the state champion Loblolly pine and White fringetree, as well as the state co-champion Longleaf pine.

We want to say a big thank you to the T.L.L. Temple Foundation for protecting this vital habitat forever. Through a collaborative effort with The Conservation Fund back in 2015, the foundation put in place a conservation easement that was officially transferred to Texas Land Conservancy on December 19, 2019.

TLC Stewardship staff will now be responsible for monitoring Boggy Slough and will work alongside the foundation and its staff to ensure its abundant wildlife habitats, clean flowing waters, and scenic beauty continue to thrive.

These partnerships are essential to expanding conservation efforts in Texas. We are so grateful to have been a part of this process and look forward to preserving this spectacular landscape for generations to come.

Boggy Slough falls within the Neches River watershed, which is one of TLC’s priority conservation areas. Keeping this large property undeveloped will ensure the water quality and quantity of East Texas’ last wild river and continue to provide recreational opportunities along its length. (Map by Stephen Ramirez)