Little Cypress Creek Preserve — Attraction in Cypress

Solid example of the restoration of a heavily forested riparian corner-pocket of mixed ecoregions. One of the greatest benefits of living in the NW-NE Houston is the biodiversity in ecosystems, within such a small area. Technically, that is why the Big Thicket National Preserve became America’s first National Preserve… The staggering biodiversity of life that begins & ends in the East Texas Pineywoods. You can see here some mirroring of the Big Thicket’s world-renowned ecology and biodiversity, at Little Cypress Creek Preserve. It’s apparent how this spot could fit snugly into the huge forest of the Big Thicket’s Historical Range. In one forest you will see at least 3 major ecoregions (Pinewoods, Post Oak Savannah, Gulf Coastal Prairie) converge, & around 10 different ecosystems (Mixed pine-oak forest, slope forest, riparian corridor, gulf coastal prairie, hardwood swamps / sloughs, palmetto thickets, open wetland, bottomland hardwood forest, etc.) That alone should explain why it is preserved & why it needs to be maintained. Or why it is worth the visit.

That being said, this is clearly a type of forested area that needs to be maintained with prescribed burns. It needs fire. Way too much shrubby undergrowth, decline in all herbaceous plant species, increase in canopy vines (Vitis species overgrowth), thicket forming woody plants are stunted (not enough light due to vitis canopy) - effectively blocking the last bit of light from reaching the soil & halting new growth. All of this stops LCCP from being a properly functioning Preserve. Too much yaupon or beautyberry = sure sign you’re long...

Came out here yesterday and we didn't have bug spray, big mistake. Today we saw our first owl on a hike. A huge one over on the left side from the entrance along the creek. Awesome experience! Lots of birds, bird houses, and bat houses. A bunch of crisscrossing sandy/dirt trails that would be fun on a mountain bike or a nice woodsy hike thru some wetlands. We got 4 miles out of it today and could've kept going but we turned at the water treatment plant because the sun was setting. Bring your own water. They have a porta-potty. I wanted to find all of the numbered posts but fell short. Not even sure they are there post Harvey. No maps and the trails aren't marked well but most of the trails loop around each other. Loved it and...

If you don't know about the work that Bayou Land Conservancy is doing partnered with the county, then check out their website. It is so fantastic how hard this group is working to take back greenspace along the many waterways in the Greater Houston Area. This little park happens to be just behind my home and we enjoy walking the trails all the time. There's a local bat population living there as well as deer, racoons, turtles, and all the other typical urban forest dwellers. Community projects continue to improve the park and the trails. There's plenty of shade so put on the bug spray and come out for a walk! ~Ruth Gracey, Owner - Great Houston...