In a significant move to bolster conservation efforts in Allen Parish, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, in partnership with Trust for Public Land, has announced the creation of a new Wildlife Management Area (WMA), as reported by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The Flatwoods Savanna WMA, encompassing 426 acres, is poised to become the 52nd WMA and will be nestled between Reeves and LeBlanc in southwest Allen Parish.
Funding for the WMA was sourced partially from the Louisiana Outdoor Forever Fund, a program initiated during the 2022 legislative session to support outdoor conservation projects in the state. "We are proud to add this property to our WMA program while also highlighting the Louisiana Outdoors Forever program and our conservation partners," said Tyler Bosworth, LDWF Acting Secretary, to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The fund underscores the state's commitment to preserving its natural environments and providing more recreational spaces for residents. The tract of land represents a significant conservation achievement, as it contains the last remaining mature longleaf pine savanna in Southwest Louisiana, including both mature longleaf pine flatwoods and pristine flatwood ponds.
Stacey Shankle, the Mid-South Program Director for Trust for Public Land, expressed excitement over the outdoor opportunities this WMA will open up for the Louisianans. "The establishment of this new Wildlife Management Area in Allen Parish marks a major accomplishment in protecting Louisiana’s natural landscapes and expanding opportunities for outdoor recreation," Shankle explained, according to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries news release.
Featuring old-growth longleaf pine savanna and areas ripe for longleaf pine reforestation, this WMA serves as a haven for an array of rare and globally significant species, providing habitats that accommodate both consumptive and non-consumptive outdoor activities including hunting, hiking, wildlife and botanical viewing, and educational pursuits; once it welcomes visitors starting July 1, 2025. The WMA will operate uniquely in that it will champion working lands, restoration, and preservation, said LDWF in anticipation of the site's public opening.
The project has seen support from various partners, including Atira Conservation, the EJK Foundation, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation/Restore the Earth Foundation, Partnership for Gulf Coast Land Conservation, and The AES Corporation. These collaborations underline the agency's commitment to conservation and the promise of long-term ecological benefits.
