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Places We Protect

Charles M. Deaton Nature Preserve

Mississippi

Large treese grow out of water.
Charles M. Deaton Preserve Big Creek is located within TNC’s Charles M. Deaton Nature Preserve. © Erika Nortemann/TNC
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Overview

Description

Named for a founder of The Nature Conservancy in Mississippi, the 3,300-acre Charles M. Deaton Nature Preserve is one of the finest natural areas remaining in Mississippi. The preserve protects the headwaters of the Pascagoula River, where the Leaf and Chickasawhay rivers converge, and is part of a 47,000-acre swath of public lands surrounding the Pascagoula, the largest (by volume) unimpeded river in the contiguous United States.

Access

CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC

Explore our work in this region

Prickly Pear Eastern prickly pear (Opuntia humifusa) is the only cactus species native to the region east of the Mississippi River, including in Mississippi. © The Nature Conservancy
Eastern Hognose Snake The Eastern hognose snake (Heterodon platirhinos) is one of many animals protected at The Nature Conservancy's Charles M. Deaton Preserve. © Rollingplainst/CC BY-NC 4.0/iNaturalist
Rookery The Nature Conservancy's Charles M. Deaton Preserve boasts a rookery for Great and Snowy egrets. © The Nature Conservancy
Sunset The sun sets at The Nature Conservancy's Charles M. Deaton Preserve, where the Leaf and Chickasawhay rivers converge near the Pascagoula River. © The Nature Conservancy

Deaton Preserve FAQs

Flora and Fauna

  • Some of the trees and plants found at the Charles M. Deaton Preserve include: 

    • Bald cypress
    • Water tupelo
    • Prickly pear cactus
    • Cardinal flower
    • Indian pink
    • Lizard’s tail
    • Green fly orchid 

  • Some of the animals found at the Charles M. Deaton Preserve include: 

    • Swallow-tailed kites
    • Gulf sturgeon
    • White-tailed deer
    • Northern parula
    • Alligator snapping turtle
    • Eastern hognose snake  

Collaboration

  • The following groups are working together with our TNC staff to understand and protect this preserve's rare and interdependent communities of plants and animals:

    • Local landowners
    • Researchers from Mississippi State University, University of Southern Mississippi and Louisiana State University 
    • Mississippi Department of Transportation

Where We Work

An aerial view of two rivers meeting with forested land all around.

Southern Deltas

Stretching across the southeastern United States, the floodplains, rivers, streams and swamps of the Southern Deltas are among the most socially and ecologically diverse places on the planet.

Lush green trees blanket a small mountain and surrounding landscape.

Alabama

Learn about the work The Nature Conservancy is doing to protect critical lands and waters in Alabama.

A yellow-crowned night heron displays its breeding plumage.

Louisiana

Learn about nature conservation in Louisiana, including environmental issues and resources from The Nature Conservancy.