Lance Rosier Unit Sign

Lance Rosier's legacy lives on in the Big Thicket.

NPS

Quick Facts

Location:

Saratoga, TX

Lance Rosier (1886–1970) was a naturalist who devoted his life to protecting the Big Thicket.

He was born near here in 1886 and later moved to Saratoga. Rosier grew up exploring the thicket and was fascinated with its diverse plant life. Uninterested in hunting for jobs or game animals, Rosier preferred to hunt for rare flowers. He would wander through the woods, sometimes for days, making observations of the plant and animal life he saw.

Known as “Mr. Big Thicket,” Rosier was self-taught but knew just about every plant he encountered in the Big Thicket. He led popular guided tours for visiting professors, politicians, researchers, students, and just about anyone who wanted to learn about the thicket. His expertise contributed to greater awareness of the Big Thicket's biodiversity, and its need for protection.

Rosier was an advocate for the creation of a Big Thicket park. He worked with grassroots organizations, including the Big Thicket Association, to push the state and national governments to protect the woods that he so dearly loved.

Lance Rosier continued to guide people into the thicket until his death in 1970. His dream was finally realized when Big Thicket National Preserve was established on October 11, 1974. Though he did not live long enough to see his beloved Big Thicket become a park, his legacy lives on in the Lance Rosier Unit.