Lafitte Woods Preserve

Why You Should Visit
This site encompasses the best remaining tracts of live oak and hackberry forest on the barrier island. Well-known to birders as one of the most important migratory songbird stopover sites in coastal Louisiana, this preserve features several walking trails, including a migratory bird trail with kiosks and a 300-foot-long elevated boardwalk that overlooks 22 acres of salt marsh tidal ponds. The boardwalk was built with help from the Port Commission, Entergy, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. There are also hummingbird and butterfly gardens that are a must-see for visitors.

Location
Grand Isle

Size
The 13-acre Grilletta tract, donated by Mr. Xavier Grilletta in 1998, makes up the main Lafitte Woods Preserve. The elevated boardwalk overlooks 22 acres of salt marsh tidal ponds in their natural conditions. We've also helped restore 30 acres of ExxonMobil's property in the form of a live oak/hackberry restoration project.

How to Prepare for Your Visit
There is a parking lot for the Lafitte Woods Preserve and for the elevated boardwalk located at the corner of Ludwig and Medical Lanes. These two sites are open during daylight hours. Any other access must be requested by calling The Nature Conservancy of Louisiana at (225) 338-1040.

Please review the following visitation guidelines:

The preserve is suitable for children that are accompanied by an adult.
There are no restroom facilities available on site.
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

Turn south from US Highway 90 onto LA Highway 1 toward Grand Isle.
Continue to Cut Off, LA. Look for a sign that says Port Fourcon-Grand Isle. It is near a store named Southern Home Furnishings. Turn right.
This takes you to a 4-lane by-pass, LA Highway. 3161, and will take you south past Golden Meadow, LA.
Continue through Leeville, past Port Fourchon to Grand Isle. The TNC Lafitte Woods are approximately 3 1/2 miles from the Grand Isle bridge.

There is a parking lot on the left surrounded by a split rail fence. Inside the fence is an information kiosk and a sign that reads: The Nature Conservancy Lafitte Woods-Grilletta Tract. Park and enjoy. Information about the Grand Isle Birding Trail and the lands managed by TNC can be found at the site.

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
The importance of this unique barrier island stems from two main factors: the tracts of live oak and hackberry forest, and the birds that use them. More than 300 bird species are attracted to the island each year (one-half of the species found in the United States). Through our restoration process, we hope to bring several of the unique tracts back to their original form.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
Through a variety of conservation efforts (including easements, cooperative projects, preserves, boardwalks, and reforestation projects), we've accomplished many of our goals set for this unique habitat.