Join the Friends of Louisiana Wildlife Refuges to Find Your Wild!
The Friends of Louisiana Wildlife Refuges is proud to support the conservation efforts of the Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuges Complex and host events at the Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge. Join us to #FindYourWild with either a Beach Sweep Coastal Clean-up Volunteer opportunity or wildlife photo scavenger hunt or BioBlitz! activity – the wildlife fun awaits!
Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge Event Details:
Event #1 – Find Your Wild 5k Walk
Date – September 26 – September 28, 2025
Time – Daylight Hours
Location – Big Branch Marsh Trailhead (30°17’02.6″N 89°55’00.7″W)
Find Your Wild 5k Walk is a 2.5km out and 2.5km back walk on Big Branch Marsh Refuge. The Walk will start at the parking area. Signs and Mile Markers will be set up along the Boy Scout Trail, Big Branch Marsh Refuge. Walk 5K, or however far you can, and take a selfie photo of your FINISH point. There will be two selfie stations one at the turn around and one at the Finish Line. Take your selfie and send it to us to claim your prize. Send your photos to: lwrfriends@gmail.com Enjoy other optional activities while you walk: You can participate in a Bio Blitz by visiting Big Branch Marsh Refuge, and record any animals or plants you observe as you walk using the i-Naturalist app or take a photo and upload to the Big Branch Marsh i-Naturalist website. Take the Animal Olympics challenge along the trail (follow signs at Boy Scout Road Trail). You also have the option to participate in the Wildlife Photo Scavenger Hunt by downloading this card and taking a photo of each of the items. Send your photos via email to lwrfriends@gmail.com or tag us on Facebook @ Friends of Louisiana Wildlife Refuges.
Event #2 – Beach Sweep
Date – September 27, 2025
Time – 9am – 12pm
Location – Hwy 434 Lake Road, LACOMBE, Louisiana 70445-2667 (30°16’54.5″N 89°57’12.9″W)
The Friends of Louisiana Wildlife Refuges, Inc. and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge will be hosting Beach Sweep! The focus for this Beach Sweep will be cleaning up debris and litter along Lake Road on Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge. Lake Road, is one of the most visited public use site on any of the nine refuges in Southeast Louisiana. Nearly 100,000 visitors use this area annually for, fishing, launching boats, recreational crabbing, hiking and wildlife observation opportunities. The Friends, will provide light snacks and water for Beach Sweep participants throughout the clean-up. Space is limited to 30 volunteers and will be filled fist come first served.