Terry and I went for a quick hike to Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge. It is located right next to Terry's mom house.
Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1990 and encompasses approximately 25,000 acres. It is the largest urban wildlife refuge in the country and one of the last remaining marsh areas adjacent to Lake Pontchartrain and Borgne. Most of the refuge is located within massive hurricane protection levees built to protect New Orleans from surges and flooding.
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The Ridge Trail Board Walk
The Ridge Trail Board Walk is the most popular short hike on the refuge, affording views of a variety of habitat. A boardwalk trail leads about ½ mile through woods with palmetto understory to an overlook which gives views of some marsh, swamp, and open water.
This live oak tree grows to only about 50 feet in height, but its large limbs may spread out 100 feet or more. The wood was commonly used for shipbuilding.
Madere Marsh Site
Madere Marsh Site is located approximately 1/4 mile Southeast of the Ridge Trail site. The lush marsh grasses not only provide excellent habitat for the alligators but are also a heaven for migratory birds and waterfowl. The viewing area at the end of the short boardwalk offers an excellent vantage point amid the lush grasses for viewing a variety of birds.
The diverse habitat supports 340 bird species during various seasons of the year. There are also healthy populations of alligators, turtles, otters, fish, and other wild animal species. We did not see any alligators who are a common sight on the refuge but we saw a bunch of rabbits.
Useful links:
1. Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuges - directions to refuge and other useful info
2. Wikipedia
