Cattail Marsh Wetlands Education Center
Located inside Tyrrell Park overlooking the Cattail Marsh boardwalk, the Wetlands Education Center provides spectacular views of birds and wildlife from the elevated wrap-around porch and classroom. Since it's opening fall 2018, the Wetlands Education Center has quickly become a popular gathering place for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts of all levels. Visitors from all over the world enjoy taking in the scenic views. Improvements and additions to the Center are ongoing, the most recent developments include new fencing, landscaping and development of a Pollination Garden, beautifully painted picnic tables, and educational and directional signage.
The Center's educational focus highlights the importance of the wetlands ecosystem; the most diverse ecosystem on the planet. Convention and Visitors Bureau Wetlands Workshops and classes are geared to spark an interest in birding, inspire an appreciation of nature and to encourage people to spend time outdoors.
Visit Us!
The Wetlands Education Center is open Monday through Friday from 9-6 pm, and Saturday from 11 am - 2 pm.
Things to Do
Hiking, biking, birding and other independent nature activities are available year-round.
Binoculars and frisbee golf discs are free and available to check out from the nature center with a photo ID. There is also a large telescope to use (check out the eagles!), plus reference materials and kid's activities -- just ask our friendly staff what we have going on. Van tours of the marsh are also available upon request.
Resources available include:
- Birding Checklist and Tips for Beginning Birders
- Do-It-Yourself: Educational Worksheets
- Why Wetlands are Important and Need to be Restored
- Photography 101
- Nature and the Plants that Attract Birds
- Maps and Visitor Information
- And more!
Check out our New Gift Shop
Show your Beaumont pride with branded swag. You’ll find fun gifts like shirts, water bottles, tumblers, and coolers; socks, bags, aprons, and dishtowels; birds of Cattail prints and ornaments; frisbee golf discs, and nature journals. 100% of proceeds go back to supporting the marsh for programming, facility upgrades, and maintenance.
Special Events & Programs
We have weekly scheduled events every Tuesday morning, Thursday afternoon, and Saturday morning. All activities are free to attend with all supplies provided. Special events and seasonal programming will also take place quarterly – like our Facebook page to stay up to date with everything that’s going on!
Join Us Weekly For:
- Saturday - Cattail Explorer’s Kid’s Programming (11-2 pm)
- Saturday - Morning Yoga (9:30 am)
Cattail Explorers
Cattail Explorers is a weekly program to get kids in touch with nature. Appropriate for all ages, there are arts and crafts like DIY birdhouses and origami lessons, photography workshops, and more. The more sessions you attend, the more you’ll learn and earn.
Track Your Sightings With eBird
Set up an account and track what you’ve seen. Our eBird Kiosk allows birders to electronically document their sightings and share Cattail’s activity and visibility with other birdwatchers. The more we share, the more we become a hotspot and gain the interest of other birders! eBird is managed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
But Don't Take Our Word For It
"Fascinating and Beautiful"
"Cattail is great both for an afternoon jog and a dawn commune with nature. It has miles of trails, so much wildlife, and perfect facilities. And I haven’t found a better place in east Texas for watching and photographing waterfowl. Highly recommended." -- Doug L.
"Cattail Marsh is a four-way intersection where wild practicality, infinite beauty, resourceful nature, and gung-ho conservation meet."
The “Marsh Man” and the “Bird Lady” who led guided tours of the fabulous Cattail Marsh Wetlands are Beaumont’s eco-superheroes! Thank you, Magnolia Garden Club, for your vision to create an education center that puts you in the heart of the wetlands, surrounded by so many species of flora and fauna your head spins! A veritable feast for the eyes at every turn! Bring your camera! -- Mare B.
"A Nice Retreat From Your Busy Day"
SETX is so fortunate to have such a unique place to take your family and spend some time outdoors. Spend some time walking the trails. Get up close and personal with wildlife. Bring your little ones and learn how the wetlands work. Super proud of our area for making such a great spot for us all! --Mattie P.
Birding
If you're an avid birder, or simply a beginner looking to get started, you've come to the right place! Beaumont, Texas is located near the Gulf of Mexico, known for its globally unique ecosystem with a diversity of habitats, fish and wildlife.
Love Cattail Marsh?
We're Looking for Volunteers!
Passionate about ecotourism and SETX? We're looking for volunteers who want to share their love of nature with visitors. Signup below and we'll contact you about opportunities around the marsh.
Special thanks to the Golden Triangle Audubon Society and the continued support from City of Beaumont. The Beaumont CVB manages the Wetlands Education Center's operation in partnership with the Magnolia Garden Club. For rental information or group tours, please call 409-880-3749.