<![CDATA[FRIENDS OF BLACK BAYOU, INC. - News & Upcoming Events]]>Wed, 20 May 2026 03:19:50 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[Toxic Algal Bloom Dissipated]]>Sat, 16 May 2026 12:11:18 GMThttps://www.friendsofblackbayou.org/blog/avoid-lake-water-toxic-algal-bloomHarmful Algal Bloom Advisory. 
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The FoBB Board Meeting (Monday May 18) heard that the potentially harmful Algal bloom detected at Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge has now dissipated. ​
Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) can produce toxins that can cause serious illness in pets, other animals and humans.
  • Algae may be blue, green, orange, red or brown.
  • Avoid contact with the water. Do not drink the water.
  • Keep children and animals away from the water and away from any algae along the shoreline.
  • Eating fish caught from affected waters is an unknown health risk. Some algae toxins have been found to accumulate in fish tissues, especially in the internal organs.

Contact your doctor if you or a family member experiences sudden or unexplained illness. Contact your veterinarian if your animal experience is sudden or unexplained illness.

For more information see the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/habs/   
or see the EPA website https://www.epa.gov/cyanohabs.
]]><![CDATA[Pink Moon Walk!! No April Fool]]>Tue, 31 Mar 2026 22:51:40 GMThttps://www.friendsofblackbayou.org/blog/pink-moon-walk-no-april-fool
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Join us April 1st in front of the Black Bayou Lake NWR Visitors' Center at 7.00 pm for the April 1st Pink Moon Walk! Bring a flashlight or head-lamp (preferably with red mode for better night vision). Prepare for a lovely evening, bring personal refreshment and skeeter repellant.
]]><![CDATA[Timberdoodle Talk and Woodcock Walk]]>Tue, 03 Feb 2026 16:24:30 GMThttps://www.friendsofblackbayou.org/blog/timberdoodle-talk-and-woodcock-walkThis coming Saturday, Feb. 7th, Louisiana Master Naturalist Suzanne Laird-Dartez will deliver a free illustrated talk at the Black Bayou Lake Conservation Learning Center and then lead a Woodcock Walk with her doughty bird-dog Quill! This event follows the public Louisiana Master Naturalist Northeast Q1 members' meeting that kicks off this lunch and learn event at 12 pm. 

Poster showing a bird-dog and Woodcock in forested scene with information about the event.
Advertisement of free public event
]]><![CDATA[Refuge Reopened]]>Wed, 03 Dec 2025 22:02:19 GMThttps://www.friendsofblackbayou.org/blog/refuge-reopenedWe're very pleased to say that the Refuge is open again after the government shutdown.]]><![CDATA[FoBB Photo Contest 2025 Announcement]]>Thu, 09 Oct 2025 01:25:50 GMThttps://www.friendsofblackbayou.org/blog/fobb-photo-contest-2025-announcementPicture"Nature Provides", a magnificent shot of a Green Heron catching a fish by Tony Tramontana was judged Best in Show!
Congratulations and thank you to all the great photographers who entered 220+ pictures in this year’s FoBB Photo Contest, an annual event organized originally in 2003 by Charlie Heck, Sr.

​First-place winning photos will be displayed in the Refuge Visitor Center as soon as possible, and all ribboned photos will be displayed on the webpage: Annual Photo Contest - FRIENDS OF BLACK BAYOU LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE in a slideshow pdf.

Our thanks to the contest chairs, Leslie Calhoun and Kimberly Paxton, along with the anonymous judges.

The Charles Heck Memorial Grand Prize winner this year was taken by amateur photographer Tony Tramontana and is entitled "Nature Provides" 
]]><![CDATA[Govt. Shutdown Closes Refuge Buildings]]>Fri, 03 Oct 2025 22:28:18 GMThttps://www.friendsofblackbayou.org/blog/govt-shutdown-closes-refuge-buildingsFall Celebration 2025 Canceled Due to Government Shutdown
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Friends of Black Bayou regrets to announce that the annual Fall Celebration, originally scheduled for Saturday, October 11, has been cancelled due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, which has temporarily closed refuge facilities and visitor access to buildings at Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

Although the Visitor Center and Conservation Learning Center are closed, the refuge’s trails and boat launch remain open for public use. Visitors are encouraged to continue enjoying the natural beauty of the area responsibly during this time.

Friends of Black Bayou looks forward to resuming programs and events when the refuge fully reopens, including a future dedication of the newly completed Snake Room in the Conservation Learning Center.

We appreciate the community’s understanding and continued support of our mission to celebrate and protect Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

Sincerely,
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Board of Directors
Friends of Black Bayou, Inc.

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