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- LOUISIANA: Southeast Louisiana Complex National Wildlife Refuges
Site Location and Description
Situated in the Lower Mississippi Valley and around the shores of Lake Pontchartrain, the Southeast Louisiana Refuges Complex includes the Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), the Bogue Chitto NWR, the Big Branch Marsh NWR, the Atchafalaya NWR, the Delta NWR, the Breton NWR, and the Shell Keys NWR. A variety of wetland habitats, from tidal-influenced brackish marsh and freshwater marsh to open water, provide refuge for migratory waterfowl.
Ecological Values
Brackish marshes bordering Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Borgne provide a nursery area for many marine animals, including Redfish and Southern Flounder. Considered an Important Bird Area, more than 340 species of birds have been observed on the refuges, including 33 Audubon WatchList species. Bottomland hardwood forests in the refuge complex are important nesting habitat for declining Neotropical migratory birds such as the Swainson’s Warbler and the Swallow-tailed Kite. The Big Branch Marsh NWR protects a unique ecosystem that is almost gone from the Southeast, the Longleaf Pine savanna. Because this system requires frequent fires for its maintenance, it is one of the most rare ecosystems in the United States. Its specialized inhabitants include the highly endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker and the rare Bachman’s Sparrow.
Public Use and Benefit to the Community
Located within one hour’s drive of New Orleans, the Complex provides a unique opportunity for city residents to explore and learn about wetlands and their associated flora and fauna. Every year, nearly 100,000 visitors enjoy the environmental education programs at the Bayou Sauvage and Big Branch Marsh NWRs. The refuges are also used for hiking, canoeing, and other recreational activities.
Threats
The shores of Lake Pontchartrain face development pressures from the expanding city of New Orleans. Moreover, U.S. Highways 90 and 11 and Interstate 10 all cross wetlands in the Complex, adding to the difficulty of protecting these important habitats.
Acquisition Status
The Complex is working to protect the ecology of Lake Pontchartrain through preservation and management of the surrounding wetlands. The long-term LWCF need for the Southeast Louisiana Refuges Complex is $2 - 3 million per year for the next five to ten years. For FY06, $3 million is needed to acquire a minimum of 4,000 acres of wetlands, which will increase water purity and provide habitat for migratory waterfowl and wading birds.
Public Support
The Big Branch NWR acquisition project receives significant support from the local community. Supporters include the City of New Orleans, the New Orleans East Economic Development Foundation, the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, the Coalition to restore Coastal Louisiana, the St. Tammany Parish Police Jury, the St. Tammany Parish Tourism Commission, the St. Tammany Parish Homebuilders Association, and the Friends of Southeast Louisiana Wildlife Refuges. The Baton Rouge Audubon Society and the Orleans Audubon Society also provide strong support for the Complex.
Habitat
Hardwood forest
Scrub
Freshwater marsh
Tidal marsh
Pine flatwood/savanna
Species
Bald Eagle
Brown Pelican
Southern Flounder
Reddish Egret
Chuck-will's Widow
Red-cockaded Woodpecker
Painted Bunting
Mottled Duck
Bobcat
White Ibis
King Rail
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