The Nature Conservancy

by Hilary Creamer

LOUISIANA HAS MANY unique qualities – our culture, food, music, language and the general way we live. That goes for our lands as well. Much has been written about the importance of our coastal areas and the Atchafalaya Basin, but we’ve got some impressive and unique land here in St. Tammany worthy of note. The East Gulf Coastal Plain, which extends from the eastern part of the Florida Panhandle to the Southeast Louisiana region, contains a broad area of longleaf pine flatwoods and savannas.

Of that sweeping range, The Nature Conservancy, an environmental nonprofit that works to preserve lands throughout the world, is working to preserve and restore three areas of St. Tammany Parish. The Talisheek Pine Wetlands Preserve, Lake Ramsay Preserve and Abita Creek Flatwoods Preserves make up The Nature Conservancy’s Southeast Louisiana Pine Wetland Mitigation Bank.

According to The Nature Conservancy, it’s important to preserve these areas since only a small fraction of the original, vast acreage of longleaf pine savannas remains today. Further, there is a great need for conservation concentration in the flatwood areas.

While the Talisheek Preserve doesn’t allow public access, I had the chance to visit Lake Ramsay Preserve and the Abita Creek Flatwoods Preserve.

Many rare plants live in these preserves, some listed as endangered and only found in this area of Louisiana. Among the vast biodiversity are several varieties of orchids and—what piqued my interest— several carnivorous plants.

I could see carnivorous pitcher plants at both locations, although the Abita Creek site had a lot of variety within easy viewing along the boardwalk. Both locations had an expansive array of wildflowers.

And while I did not encounter a gopher tortoise or any other of the rare animals that inhabit these sites, I was ringed by a small swarm of beautiful ebony jewelwings as I crossed one of the two bridges along the raised boardwalk.

The walking trail at the Abita Creek Flatwoods Preserve is just over half a mile. Two sections of the trail are boardwalks and bridges over the water with a few places to sit and educational placards to read. The rest is on the ground.

The Horse Branch Trail at the Lake Ramsay site is about twice as long and can be a bit more challenging in some areas. Both trails gave me broad views. fresh air to soak in and that feeling of significance that comes when you know you’re witnessing something special.

To learn more about The Nature Conservancy’s efforts in Louisiana, the Southeast Louisiana Pine Wetland Mitigation Bank, and the rules and regulations for visitors to the Lake Ramsay and Abita Creek Preserves, visit www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/wherewe-work/united-states/louisiana/.