Photo Credit: Barred Owl in a Bald Cypress tree By Monica Boudreaux
Friends of Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Friends of Black Bayou, Inc., known to many as FoBB, or Friends of Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge, is an award-winning, non-profit community organization that supports the protection and enhancement of Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge located in Monroe, Ouachita Parish, Louisiana. FoBB came into existence in August 1997 with a core group of dedicated supporters and volunteers who cared about the new Refuge and dreamed big. In a very short time, members saw dreams taking shape.
The century-old planter's home was renovated and is now the Visitors’ Center. FoBB sponsors an annual Fall Celebration with a Photo Contest, and free games and activities for kids, food, exhibitors, and lots of wildlife themed fun! The Conservation Learning Center opened in October 2005, provides spectacular live native wildlife exhibits and a well-equipped classroom. Educational opportunities are a top priority for FoBB. Curriculum materials were developed, and learning about wildlife became fun and convenient from
Art is a part of nature, too. Photographers and other artists are able to observe wildlife from the comfort of the photo blind, the wildlife pier, and the observation deck. Kids of all ages enjoy experiencing nature from trails that include a paved walkway or a raised boardwalk. And grownups appreciate the fact that the Refuge is free, educational, not far from Monroe, and best of all--fun! Throughout the year, events are scheduled at the Refuge, and the public is invited to visit any time the Refuge is open (from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset). Whether there is a special event or not, nature is always here. You can also call the Visitor Center at (318) 387-1114 or email [email protected] for more information about any program at the refuge. The volunteer answering the phone will be able to answer your questions, or can refer you to the person who can answer them.
Remember that feeding, harassing, removing, or otherwise interfering with alligators or other wildlife on the Refuge is against federal law!
Did you see someone feeding or harassing the alligators? Just snap a photo and text it with the details to our refuge officers at 318-355-6842 or 318-351-4965. You can also call the Louisiana Dept of Wildlife & Fisheries 24hr line at 1-800-442-2511 and give details. (Suggestion: add that hotline number to your phone contacts list now). Nobody wants their child, grandchild, or dog attacked by a wild animal because that wild animal associated PEOPLE with FOOD. Stop it, y'all! News
Fun for All at Louisiana National Hunting and Fishing Day 2026
September 26, 2026 9am to 2pm: Want to know where your kids can learn how to catch a big ol' bullfrog, pepper a target with BBs, or populate a lake and woodland habitat with wildlife? Black Bayou Lake NWR was the place! Over 1000 visitors enjoyed Hunting and Fishing Day 2026 in Monroe.
August 17, 2026: The man with over 10000 teeth! ULM Prof. Emeritus of Geology, Dr. Gary Stringer educated and engaged a good turn-out with FoBB on Monday, August 17 at the CLC with his unforgettable, free evening illustrated talk on the subject of Ancient Megatoothed Sharks of Prehistoric Northeast Louisiana! We got to see his tooth from the mighty Odotus auriculatus, a 34 million yr-old resident of Louisiana's tropical coast that could snuggle over 30ft the length of a school bus if it had benefit of a time machine! This excellent Speaking of Science event was courtesy of The Louisiana Board of Regents.
Timberdoodle Talk and Woodcock Walk 2/3/2026
This 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. Refuge Reopened 12/3/2025 We're very pleased to say that the Refuge is open again after the government shutdown. FoBB Photo Contest 2025 Announcement10/8/2025 Congratulations and thank you to all the great photographers who entered 220+ pictures in this year’s FoBB Photo Contest. Tony Tramontana won Charles Heck Memorial Grand Prize! "Nature Provides". First-place winning photos will be displayed in the Refuge Visitor Center as soon as possible, and all ribboned photos are displayed on the FoBB Photo Contest 2025 webpage in a slideshow pdf. Learn more ... Jim Kolinski Earns Prestigious Louisiana Wildlife Federation's Volunteer Conservationist of the Year Award! Jim Kolinski serves as curator and environmental educator at the Black Bayou Lake Conservation Education Center in Monroe, LA. His passion for, and devotion to, wildlife and nature education receives wide-spread, and well-deserved respect and recognition! Learn more ... Arboretum Tour with Kelby Ouchley July 17, 2026 Through this account, embark with us on an arm-chair tour of Black Bayou's excellent arboretum with its creator, celebrated nature writer and Wildlife Protected Area Manager, Kelby Ouchley. Watch this space for volunteer opportunities to assist in its restoration and maintenance. 
Screenshot of observation statistics from inaturalist.org as of 8/7/26.
Citizen Science at Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Learn how to use your smartphone to record wildlife observations on iNaturalist. Skill with your phone camera will be helpful in the Annual Photo Contest (remember to select high resolution mode) and the Pollinator Bioblitz too! 
Click on the kayaker to watch the excellent Convention Visitors' Bureau video about Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge on YouTube™!
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Turtles on the 10th!
ULM Professor of Biology John L. Carr will present on his 30 years of turtle research at Black bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge CLC at a free event. Learn about the turtles and launch rescued turtles into Black Bayou Lake!
Save The Date for Fall Celebration at Black Bayou Lake NWR Saturday, October 17th 10-1 PM
Full Moon Walk, Oct. 26, 2026!
Join FoBB's Full Moonlit Walk at Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Monroe, LA for free family fun, scheduled for Monday, October 26, 2026, meeting at the Visitors' Center at 5.45 P.M. for prompt departure at 6:00 p.m for our Moonrise window (6.00 - 7.04 PM) 
Become a member! Join todayArt in Nature WorkshopsTaught by LaTech art professor
Daniel Moore sponsored by Friends of Black Bayou, Inc. Every 3rd Saturday (No charge)Friends of Black Bayou supports many vital activities at the refuge including animal upkeep and environmental education. Your support helps us run the Conservation Learning Center!
Other Information Weblinks:
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