About Friends of Black Bayou ("FoBB")
​Nonprofit Group

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 fieldtrips
• 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)
• Boat launch/fishing
• Canoe and kayak rentals
• 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.

Mission Statement, adopted 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.