The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Yellow Pitcher plant and prescribe burn. © B. Rivers/The Nature Conservancy

Open to the Public

Yes

Things To Do

Can you spot all twenty-four rare, threatened, or endangered plants while hiking? View All

Plan Your Visit

The preserve is suitable for children that are accompanied by an adult. View All

Get Directions

Why You Should Visit

At this preserve, you can view pine-dominated wetland communities, including longleaf pine savanna, longleaf flatwoods, bayhead, slash pine/pond cypress woodland and riparian forest. You can also see the carnivorous pitcher plant from a boardwalk that runs through portions of the preserve.

Location

St. Tammany Parish

Size

950 acres

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site

The Nature Conservancy selected this site for its mosaic of high quality, pine-dominated wetland communities.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing

The Nature Conservancy of Louisiana is restoring the degraded areas of Abita Creek Flatwoods Preserve to high quality savanna by selective timber cutting and prescribed burns. The Conservancy is also conducting intensive research to monitor and document the restoration process.

Things To Do

Twenty-four species of plants considered rare, threatened or endangered by the Louisiana Natural Heritage Program have been located on the tract thus far, and many more are likely to be found. The most notable discovery to date has been the Louisiana Quilwort, a federally endangered species. These plants represent the only officially protected population for this species in Louisiana.

Plan Your Visit

Abita Creek is open seven days a week during daylight hours. The preserve is suitable for children that are accompanied by an adult. There are no restroom facilities available on site. Please review the following visitation guidelines:

• Dogs and other pets are not permitted.
• Do not collect, remove, injure, damage, or destroy any artifact or mineral or any animal living or dead.
• No hunting, trapping, fishing, or discharge of firearms is allowed.
• No camping is allowed.
• Absolutely no fires are allowed, and smoking is not permitted in the preserve.
• Do not litter.
• No permanent photography blinds may be constructed. Portable blinds are allowed, but we ask that you remove them when you leave.
• Do not scatter feed or seed of any kind. Do not use taped calls to attract wildlife.
• Keep your vehicle locked at all times, and do not leave equipment or valuables in your vehicle. Do not leave equipment unattended anywhere on the preserve.
• Leave the preserve before darkness falls.
• Please respect the rights of adjacent landowners. Do not trespass. Do not block neighbor's driveways. Please do not use any entrance other than the one designed for the preserve.

Directions

From I-12 at the Abita Springs/Mandeville Exit (Exit 65, the first exit east of Hwy. 190, Causeway Blvd.) go north on LA Hwy 59 about 5 miles until you get to the town of Abita Springs.  At the traffic circle, take the Level St. exit (1/2 around the circle) which will curve left and turn into La. Hwy 435.  The Abita preserve is approximately 4.5 miles from the traffic circle.  It is just past 2 closely-spaced bridges.  You will see signs on the right with golf names, like Par, Birdie, and Eagle.  The entrance to the preserve is on the left across from Green Street.  If you get to the Abita Springs Golf and Country Club entrance, you have gone too far.

Discussion

Have you been to this preserve? Are you thinking of visiting? See what others are saying about their experiences and add your comments below.

Add Your Comments

Time for you to join the discussion. Tell us about your experience at this preserve. What plants and animals did you see? When did you go? You can help others plan their visit when you share your thoughts. And thank you for visiting one of our nature preserves!

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