Wild Things, Saturday, October 10, 10 AM - 4 PM 

Find Your Wild at Wild Things 2026! Enjoy family-friendly outdoor activities including children’s activities, live animals, live music, hayrides, canoe paddling, and more! Admission, parking, activities and music are all FREE. Food will be available for purchase, benefiting the Friends of Louisiana Wildlife Refuges, Inc. Wild Things is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy nature at the Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuges complex. Great outdoor recreation awaits!  For more information about the event, or to volunteer email Ranger Becky Larkins at  Rebecca_larkins@fws.gov or call 985/882-2025.

Wild Things is held at our refuge headquarters at 61389 Hwy. 434, Lacombe, LA 70445. More information can be found on our Facebook Page @SoutheastLouisiana 

Wild Things Youth Art Contest

Calling all youth artists! Entries are now being accepted for the Wild Things Youth Art Contest!

If you are between the ages of 5 - 18 you can enter into the Wild Things Youth Art Contest. Each person may enter one entry of native Louisiana wildlife that can be found on a Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge. Only native plants, animals, habitats and landscapes are accepted - no exotic or invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

Learn more about invasive species . Artwork must be original and can use any medium (colored pencil, crayon, paint, etc.) except no digital artwork (scanned, traced or computer generated) is accepted. You do not have to enter with your school, entry can be on own, more information below!

Rules and entry information: https://www.fws.gov/media/wild-things-youth-art-contest-0

For additional information contact Refuge Ranger Becky Larkins at rebecca_larkins@fws.gov. Deadline for submissions is Friday, September 25, 2026. 

Service Saturdays August 8, September 5, and October 3, 2026;  8 - 11 AM

Community volunteers and groups of all ages and skill levels are invited to join a Service Saturday day event hosted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Friends of Louisiana Wildlife Refuges, Inc. These community service work days are a great way to get outdoors and meet new people. They are also an enriching opportunity for youth and young adults to gain community service credit.

Service projects typically consists of activities such general trails and garden maintenance or a wildlife habitat restoration project. Light snacks and water is provided by the Friends of Louisiana Wildlife Refuges, Inc. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. All equipment is provided and new volunteers are always welcome.

Nature Explorers 

1^st & 3^rd Friday of the month

Join refuge staff for this FREE, fun-filled educational program for young children 0 - 6 years old. Learn about native animals, create nature themed crafts, go on a short nature walk and more! Children must be accompanied by an adult through the duration of the program. Program meets at the Bayou Lacombe Visitor Center and is 45 minutes in duration. Programs vary with each nature explorers program and meet rain, mud or shine. No Registration is required.

Homeschool Fridays

4^th Friday of every month (no program in July)

Join refuge staff for this FREE, fun-filled educational program. Everyone is welcome but programs are geared for youth ages 12 and under (K - 8th grade). Homeschool Day programs are set up to help families explore native flora, fauna and habitats of Southeast Louisiana. This program is a great opportunity to explore the natural world and engage in hands on activities. All youth must be accompanied by an adult through the duration of the program.  

All programs are FREE courtesy of the Friends of Louisiana Wildlife Refuges, Inc. and are conducted rain, mud or shine. Program length is 90 minutes. Register by emailing Ranger Becky at rebecca_larkins@fws.gov.

Cajun Christmas December 12 from 2 - 4 pm 

The Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuges’ Bayou Lacombe Visitor Center is expecting a visit from Santa Claus Saturday. Admission, photos, refreshments, wildlife crafts and visits with Santa are all FREE. The event is made possible by the Friends of Louisiana Wildlife Refuges, Inc. 

Complimentary photographer will be provided, but parents are encouraged to bring their own cameras. Everyone can enjoy cookies, lemonade and the interactive wildlife displays at the visitor center. Free nature-themed holiday crafts will also be available during Santa’s visit. The trails and grounds of the historic Bayou Gardens will also be open for exploration, with many varieties of camellias in bloom adding to the seasonal mood.

For more information or to volunteer to assist with the Cajun Christmas event email Ranger Becky Larkins at rebecca_larkins@fws.gov. 

Bayou Gardens Open House, Saturday, February 27, 2027

Bayou Gardens was created beginning in the 1940’s by former Louisiana Governor Richard Leche on grounds surrounding his home on Bayou Lacombe. This horticultural attraction, now headquarters of the Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuges Complex, bloomed with over 400 varieties of camellias and azaleas. After Bayou Gardens closed, the property was purchased by the Redemptorist Order of the Catholic Church that established the Holy Redeemer Seminary School. The school operated until 1980 and then was purchased by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in 2005. 

The Bayou Gardens Open House celebrates this rich culture and historic flora and fauna of the now Bayou Lacombe Visitor Center. Featuring free guided garden and site history tours, nature-friendly gardening workshops and presentations. Native plant and refreshments for sale to support the Friends of Louisiana Wildlife Refuges Inc. 

Bogue Chitto Youth Fishing Rodeo 

Children will enjoy a morning of bank fishing at the refuge’s fishing pond with the chance to win prizes. Fishing starts at 7:30 a.m. and finishes at 11 a.m. Participating children must be between the ages of 4 – 15, accompanied by an adult, and be able to hold their own fishing pole. Registered children will receive a t-shirt, bait, and lunch for the whole family. Fishing poles rigged with tackle are available to borrow or bring your own pole. Registration opens in 2027

The fishing rodeo is co-sponsored by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Friends of Louisiana Wildlife Refuges, Inc. For more information or to inquire please email lwrfriends@gmail.com or call 985/882-2025.