For nearly a century, East Texas has drawn upon its magnificent forests as a source of both jobs and outdoor recreational enjoyment. But this legacy is at risk. In recent years, timber companies have sold millions of acres of prime timberland, threatening this economic base — and significant habitat for wildlife. But this time the story has a happy ending.

What We’ve Accomplished

At the end of 2013, in a defining moment for the Pineywoods region, The Conservation Fund permanently protected more than 19,000 acres of hardwood forest and wetlands in East Texas. The land, known as Boggy Slough, was protected through a conservation easement donated by the T.L.L. Temple Foundation. The foundation will continue to own and manage the land, but its activities on the property are restricted to protect the land’s environmental value.

It is an idea that was sparked nearly ten years ago — spurred by the Temple family, the Pineywoods community and The Conservation Fund — in recognition of the critical need to protect the Neches River.

Located west of Lufkin, Boggy Slough contains some of the oldest and most ecologically significant hardwood forest habitat in East Texas and spans 18 miles of river frontage along the Neches River. For decades the area has been managed as a wildlife and forest management research and demonstration area, providing habitat for white-tailed deer and eastern turkeys as well as for numerous ducks, songbirds and fish.

“There is no land more significant or more important to the future of the Neches River or the wildlife or character of East Texas than Boggy Slough,” says Conservation Fund President and CEO Larry Selzer. “We are grateful to the T.L.L. Temple Foundation for acquiring the property, donating the easement and being such an excellent steward of the land.”

Why This Project Matters

The challenge to protect America’s forests and rivers has never been more urgent. Yet with champions such as the T.L.L. Temple Foundation and support from the Temple family, we are well prepared to continue our charge. Already, we have responded by conserving more than 2,000 acres and 175 river miles of public and private lands along the Neches River.