Black Bayou Lake

a sanctuary for wildlife and people

Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge is an urban nature park where the emphasis is on both wildlife and people. Nestled within the city limits of Monroe in northeastern Louisiana, this refuge offers trails for hiking and a lake for paddling, allowing visitors to experience nature up close.

embracing nature at black bayou lake

Maybe it was the breeze or the mix of sun and clouds that made an impression on me. Walking along the wooded trails of Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge, I wanted to slow down. I could hear the wind in the treetops and the sounds of birds and other wildlife. The reflections of trees and leaves in the rippling water reminded me of paintings by Monet. I was immersed in natural beauty.

the origins of black bayou lake

Erin Bellavia, the refuge manager, shares the history of Black Bayou. “Black Bayou used to be a free-flowing waterway until the railroad arrived in the early 1900s. They put the railroad in and it kind of dammed it up and created what today is the lake,” she explains. Since its establishment in 1997, the refuge’s guiding principle has been to preserve the natural habitat for animals while making it accessible for humans to see experience nature.

a close encounter with wildlife

As I strolled along the boardwalk, I felt a deeper connection to the wildlife. I paused to listen and noticed ducks swimming in the lake, a yellow songbird hopping onto the boardwalk, and a snake gliding between trees in a flooded lowland area. Just pause and wait, and you’ll see the movement nearby.

And if you don’t spot animals in the wild, there is a collection of the refuge’s animals inside the Education Center. Jim Kolinski, who takes care of the animals, gently removes a large Louisiana Pine Snake from a terrarium and tells me, “I’ve convinced more people that snakes are not monsters. They’re gentle as could be, most of the time.”

black bayou lake refuge featured on tv

The Friends of Black Bayou, a volunteer organization, sponsors educational programs and helps expand the refuge’s public facilities. The group provides kayak and canoe tours, led by volunteer Ani Girey. “We go out in the lake and we talk about nature and the natural habitat,” Girey says.

photography and citizen science

The wildlife and natural scenes at Black Bayou Lake are popular with photographers. Visitors can bring a camera to a photo blind and wait for the animals to appear. The structure keeps you in the shade and out of the animal’s line of sight.

Charles Paxton, another volunteer, explains that photographers participate in what he calls citizen science. He and other photographers upload their pictures to a research website called iNaturalist.org. “Scientists use our data for their projects and their papers,” Paxton says.

Ann Bloxom Smith of the Friends organization encourages people to visit the Monroe refuge. “So many people seem to be without a real connection to nature now,” Smith says. “And I think that connection to nature is crucial for all of our mental health.”

Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge offers a serene escape and a chance to reconnect with nature, whether you’re a hiker, paddler, or photographer.

getting to black bayou lake

The Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge in located on US Highway 165 on the north side of Monroe, Louisiana. The address is 480 Richland Place Dr, Monroe, LA. Phone: (318) 387-1114.

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