Centennial Forest

Volunteers planting longleaf pines in 2021

NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga

Quick Facts

Location:

Dallardsville, TX

Amenities

3 listed

Benches/Seating, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Pets Allowed

Replanting Longleaf Pines

The “Centennial Forest” is an ongoing project to restore a healthy, thriving longleaf pine savannah habitat to the Big Thicket. Named in honor of the National Park Service's centennial anniversary in 2016, the project has successfully seen over 100,000 longleaf pine seedlings planted by NPS staff, volunteers, students, and partner organizations.

Why replant longleaf pines? This tree species was once one of the most abundant pine species in the southeastern United States; however, it has been reduced to less than three percent of its former range due to logging and fire suppression. A healthy longleaf pine savannah provides habitat for many birds, pollinators, and plants that live nowhere else. Texas trailing phlox, an endangered flower, can only be found in the longleaf pine forests of southeast Texas.

Getting Here

GPS Coordinates:
30.649656, -94.670071

The Centennial Forest is located in the Big Sandy Creek Unit near Dallardsville, Texas. There are several sites within the unit that have been replanted. To visit, use Lily Road (unpaved), off of FM 1276 between Dallardsville and US 190. After about 0.5 miles, where Lily Road makes a sharp left turn, there's a bench and exhibit about the forest.

Read more about longleaf pines and the Big Sandy Creek Unit of Big Thicket National Preserve. Volunteer with us on our next tree planting day!