Friends of Black Bayou Lake NWR
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 318-387-1114

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) 
Complete organizational by-laws can be found here


​About Black Bayou Lake NWR

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)
  • 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.
Picture
Picture
See wildlife up close and personal in the Conservation Learning Center at Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Picture
Conservation Learning Center Sign
Egrets, alligator, dragonfly, canoe, maypop passion flower, owl

FoBB Officers 2019-2020
President: Ann B. Smith (318) 503-5125  email: bloxom51@gmail.com
Vice President: Kristopher Kelley  (318) 680-6411, email: friendsofblackbayou@gmail.com
Treasurer: Robert Eisenstadt (318) 342-1151 
Recording Secretary: Theresa Do
Membership Secretary: Wanda Kelley
Education Director:  Angela Crigger Harrison
Shop Directors: Leslie Calhoun and Gloria Dedmon

At-Large Board Members:  Anna Hill,  Monica Boudreaux, Kelby Ouchley, Becky Ham, 
Jamie Parker, Cindy Hardaker, and Melanie Dedmon

Contact the Visitor Center at 318-387-1114 for more information.
Visitor Center is located at 480 Richland Place, Monroe LA

​
FoBB LOGO created by George Mouk
Website maintained and updated by Friends of Black Bayou Volunteers.  
Please let us know if you see something that needs changing. 
All content is copyrighted by Friends of Black Bayou, Inc., respective owners of content.  
Note to Photographers:  All photos used on the FoBB web site are with permission.  We may have cropped or optimized some of the photos to fit the pages and load quicker. If we have used YOUR photo and you would prefer that we remove it, Please send us an email and  let us know.  We do plan to change photos often.  Thank you for continuing to share your talents and the refuge with the rest of the world. 
  • Home
  • About
    • Volunteer
    • Trails
    • Donating >
      • Adopt a Tree
  • Location
  • Canoe Rentals
  • Join
  • Photo Contest
  • Events
    • Fall Celebration