A Piece of History

The Black Bayou Refuge Visitor Center is a restored 1880’s planter's house. It was moved about a quarter-mile to its current location and renovated by members of the nonprofit group, Friends of Black Bayou.

The beautifully restored building contains interactive exhibits, which introduce visitors to the refuge's wildlife and habitats.  A "Touch Me!" table filled with bones, snake skins, fur, feathers and turtle shells provides hands-on learning for children. The center also has a meeting room and nature shop on the main floor and offices for the refuge's professional staff upstairs.

Because the refuge is wildlife habitat, everything from small alligators, turtles and wading birds to swamp rabbits, coyote and deer live in and around the ponds surrounding the Visitor Center. A large covered amphitheater behind the visitor center accommodates groups participating in refuge educational programs. A Nature Trail begins near the Visitor Center, beside an authentic plantation bell.

A new Conservation Learning Center, located adjacent to the visitor center, opened in October 2005. There, visitors can see live exhibits of native fishes, reptiles and amphibians and explore the Discovery Room.