The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Mary Ann Brown Preserve © Harold E. Malde

Open to the Public

Yes

Things To Do

The preserve contains roughly 2 miles of walking trails. View All

Plan Your Visit

Overnight primitive camping is available to scout and school groups by reservation only. View All

Get Directions

This site was donated to the Conservancy by the late Mr. & Mrs. L. Heidel Brown in memory of their daughter, Mary Ann.

Location

The Mary Ann Brown Preserve is located along the eastern boundary of the Tunica Hills, in West Feliciana Parish, between St. Francisville and Jackson, Louisiana.

Size

110 acres

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site

The Nature Conservancy selected this site for its mature stand of beech and magnolia trees.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing

The Nature Conservancy of Louisiana has developed this site into one of our more accessible preserves because of its scenic beauty and relatively low sensitivity to public use.  Mature beech-magnolia-holly forest, unusual topography, and high plant and animal species richness, make this preserve especially inviting to visitors.  Stewardship activities have focused on trail construction, restoration of old fields back to diverse native forest, and control of non-native weeds.  

Mary Ann Brown Preserve supports a mature stand of beech-magnolia forest. Several streams cross the property and are bounded by centuries-old beech and magnolia.  The combination of sweet loess soil and the microclimate created by the deep ravines provides an environment with unique plant and animal life.  This uniqueness is demonstrated by the large diversity of woody plants found in the preserve.  In addition, the preserve affords an excellent opportunity for bird watching.

Things To Do

The preserve contains roughly 2 miles of walking trails.  The Main Loop Trail (1.3 miles) begins at the Trailhead near the front entrance gate, continues over numerous foot bridges through the preserve, past the pavilion, around the pond and returns hikers to the front gate entrance.  Hikers may add 0.7 miles to their hike by taking the Outer Loop, a spur trail off the Mail Loop.   If you are new to the preserve, please take a trail map, which are available at the information kiosk near the front entrance.  Please help us protect the preserve by keeping to the established walking trails.  Bicycles are not allowed on the walking trail. The preserve contains roughly 2 miles of walking trails.

Plan Your Visit

The trail system is open to the public daily during daylight hours only.  Access is through a pedestrian passageway in the split rail fence at the front parking area.  The preserve features a covered pavilion and pond house, which are available for day outings.  Overnight primitive camping is available to scout and school groups by reservation only.  Please call our office in Baton Rouge at (225) 338-1040 for more information or to make a reservation.  A refundable deposit is required and service projects coordinated through our office are much appreciated.

Please review the following visitation guidelines:

• The preserve is suitable for children that are accompanied by an adult.  
• Restroom facilities are not available for the general public.  The restroom facilities on-site are available only by group reservations.
• Dogs and other pets are not permitted.  They can disturb wildlife and other visitors.
• Do not collect, remove, injure, damage, or destroy any plant, artifact, mineral or any animal living or dead.  Please do not harass the wildlife.
• No hunting, trapping, fishing, or discharge of firearms is allowed.  Catch and release fishing only is allowed at the pond.
• No camping is allowed except by group reservation.
• Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the preserve.  Absolutely no open fires without written permission.  The fire ring facility is for use only by groups with reservations and special rules apply.
• Do not litter.  Please take your trash with you when you leave.
• No permanent photography blinds may be constructed.  Portable blinds are allowed, but please 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.
• Make arrangements to 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

The preserve is located 30 miles North of Baton Rouge off of Highway 61. Turn east on Highway 965 and travel 5.5 miles. The preserve will be on the left. You will see the front entrance gate and a small parking area.  The physical address is 13515 Highway 965.

Discussion

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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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