This online continuing education course provides specialized knowledge for locating and documenting original survey evidence in the challenging terrain of East Texas. Led by Nedra Foster Townsend, RPLS, LSLS, the course follows actual boundary retracement work within the Big Thicket National Preserve, demonstrating the complete workflow from archival research through field recovery of corners originally established in 1869.

You will explore research methodologies for East Texas boundary work, including navigating Texas General Land Office records and evaluating timber company archives that often hold the key to perpetuation evidence across multiple survey generations.

Through field demonstrations at original corners along Village Creek, you will observe the professional judgment required when evaluating corner evidence, understanding the hierarchy of natural objects versus artificial monuments, and the importance of perpetuation. The course explores the importance of following the footsteps of the original surveyor, discovering the "Eureka moments" when original witness trees and monuments reveal themselves, and ensuring this evidence remains documented for future generations of surveyors to come.