The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

What makes this preserve unique?

Caddo Black Bayou Preserve encompasses a complex mosaic of five exemplary natural communities including a complex mosaic of wetlands and a unique sandhill forest harboring 14 rare plant species and globally rare and threatened plant communities. 

Western xeric sandhills are considered one of the rarest ecological communities in the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain Ecoregion.  The Caddo Black Bayou xeric sand ridges are a droughty, infertile, upland site supporting grassy, prairie-like open areas of shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) savanna with bare patches of sandy soils intergrading into sandy woodland dominated by scrub oaks such as bluejack oak (Quercus incana) and margaretta oak (Q. stellata var. margaretta) and Arkansas oak (Q. arkansana).  All of the rare plant species identified at the site occur in areas of deepest sand, including golden wave tickseed (Corepsis intermedia), heart-leaved skullcap (Scutellaria cardiophylla), and Louisiana squarehead (Tetragonotheca ludoviciana).   The high quality wetland forest communities present include cypress-tupelo swamp/tupelo-blackgum swamp, bottomland hardwood forest, and forested seep/hardwood slope.  Sizable, contiguous older-growth wetland forest mosaics such as this one are rare in the area.

Due to the fact that Caddo Black Bayou is surrounded by private property, public access is limited to field trips guided by Conservancy staff.  To date, many individuals and groups have enjoyed visiting the preserve and learning of its ecological significance.

Location

The property is located in Caddo Parish in the extreme northwestern corner of Louisiana approximately 1.5 miles northwest of Rodessa, Louisiana. 

Size

656 acres

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing

A natural area survey of Caddo and Bossier parishes in 1994 identified the Caddo Black Bayou area as the most important conservation target in the region.  The Conservancy initiated acquisition efforts on the first of what would be four tracts to make up the preserve.  Partners in the effort included the Dickson family of Shreveport, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Devon Energy, and Arkla Gas.  

Much of the land surrounding the preserve has been converted to pine plantations, historic or current oil and gas sites, and rural homes.  The Conservancy is focusing its efforts on restoring and enhancing remnant western xeric sandhill plant communities by reintroducing fire as an ecological process. 

Things To Do

Plan Your Visit

Directions

Discussion

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