Friends of Black Bayou's 22nd Annual Fall Celebration returns this Saturday, October 12, from 9 am-2 pm. The event is free to the public and highlights the beauty of one of Monroe's most treasured wildlife refuges, Black Bayou. The refuge is located at 480 Richland Place Drive, Monroe.
Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge was founded in the summer of 1997 as a center of habitat conservation that would provide environmental education and wildlife-dependent recreation as well. Throughout the years, Louisiana residents and visitors have enjoyed fishing, nature photography, hiking, and wildlife observation at Black Bayou. The volunteer group, Friends of Black Bayou, have been involved with the refuge from the beginning, and host the annual fall celebration to honor its development and success.
The Fall Celebration, this year, has a variety of activities that showcase different parts of the park. There will be free canoeing and kayaking on the bayou, a photo exhibit, button making, recycling information, and more! The newest edition of activites is a morning nature walk at 8:30 am before the event.
Ann Smith, a long-time member of Friends of Black Bayou, says, " Amy Ouchely, who is a biologist that graduated at ULM, will be leading the walk, and you are guarenteed to see some critters as you learn about our wildlife. But don't forget your closed toed shoes!"
After the hike, the celebration starts and will last until the afternoon. During lunch, there will be a selection of local food trucks and vendors at the park, so do not forget to bring some money for a meal. However, the refuge will be supplying their famous and free Mud Pie that originated at the very first Fall Celebration in 1997!
For more information about Friends of Black Bayou's Fall Celebration, contact Ann Smith at (318) 503-5125 or click here.