About Friends of Black Bayou, Inc ("FoBB") Nonprofit Group
Mission Statement of Friends of Black Bayou, Inc. (2012) The Friends of Black Bayou, Inc., is committed to community stewardship of Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge, and by extension the entire National Wildlife Refuge System, through preservation and restoration of the natural environment as well as increased public awareness, appreciation, education, and responsible recreational use.
Goals of Friends of Black Bayou, Inc.
Conserve the wildlife resources of the Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Provide assistance for Refuge programs encouraging wildlife conservation and education
Provide advocacy for the Refuge as needed
Increase public awareness and education about the Refuge through responsible use of various media
Raise money for Refuge programs and other Refuge needs
Objectives of Friends of Black Bayou, Inc.
Increase membership numbers
Increase volunteer participation
Increase monetary contributions
Increase educational opportunities for the public (schools, teachers, public officials, and other individuals and families)
Continue publications and media contacts
Continue support activities (clean-up activities, construction as needed, Refuge planning as needed, sales of merchandise that amplify and extend Refuge experience, volunteer activities as Refuge docents and other laborers, etc.)
Continue participation in National Wildlife Refuge Association
Continue participation in Louisiana and National Wildlife Federation (LWF and NWF)
Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge opened in July 1997, and the Friends of Black Bayou group came into existence in August 1997.
The Refuge consists of 5,300 acres including a 1,700-acre lake and beautiful wetlands. The Visitor Center was originally a planter’s home built in the 1880s and renovated by the Friends of Black Bayou.
The Conservation Learning Center is a building separate from the Visitor Center; it provides excellent wildlife and conservation education to the public. Besides a well-equipped classroom, there are live wildlife exhibits, including aquariums with some of the area's freshwater fish like bass and gar. There are also live (non-venomous) snakes in safe displays, so people can learn about snakes. There are also small alligators and turtles in their own display in the corner of the room, in an enclosure that is safe for both visitors and animals.
Some of the opportunities for visitors to Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge include the following:
Visitor Center with excellent interactive displays and a gift shop
Conservation Learning Center, complete with educational classroom and live wildlife displays
School field trips - Contact Ranger Nova Clarke (Nova_Clarke@fws.gov)
Wetlands ponds area
Birdwatching/Photography Blinds
1200-foot wildlife observation pier
Observation deck
Mile-long nature trail (paved and boardwalk) through wetlands
Eight miles of rustic trails
Arboretum
Amphitheater
Wildflower and prairie area with concrete walkways
Butterfly gardens
Hunting area (brochures with regulations available)
and many other opportunities for wildlife observation, education, photography and more.
Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located 7 miles north of I-20, about 1.5 miles north of CenturyLink headquarters, off US Hwy 165. And one more thing about us....we're on FaceBook, too!
About Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Birds, Butterflies, Alligators, Fish, Turtles, Deer, Raccoons, Armadillo, Snakes, Foxes, and lots more wild animals make their home here. The folks at the NWR have some great information about the refuge.
See wildlife up close and personal in the Conservation Learning Center at Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge