Cypress Island

Nancy Camel

© Nancy Camel

Learn more about this project with the Online Field Guide.

Location
The Cypress Island Preserve, which includes the focal point of Lake Martin, is situated between Breaux Bridge and Lafayette, Louisiana.

Hours                                                                         Open during daylight hours. The walking trail starting along the levee is closed during alligator nesting season, June through October. The rookery is closed to all entry from February 1 through July 31 for breeding bird season.Size
Approximately 9,500 acres of important cypress-tupelo swamp and bottomland hardwood forest habitat is protected.

Conditions                                                                   The 2.5-mile walking levee trail and connected 1-mile trail system is open from the fall to the spring and is suitable for children. Because this remarkable natural area is easily accessible and affords visitors with incredible wildlife viewing opportunities, our Cypress Island Preserve receives thousands of visitors a year. We have completed our new boardwalk and are currently in the process of building a public Visitor Center and picnic pavilion where Rookery Road meets LA Hwy 353. The Visitor Center is expected to open in the fall of 2009. Please contact us if you are interested in volunteer opportunities at the preserve, including working with a team of docents to staff the Visitor Center. There are currently no restroom facilities on site.

How to Prepare for Your Visit                                                                                                   Please review the following visitation guidelines:Directions
Cypress Island Preserve is located approximately halfway between the town of Breaux Bridge and the city of Lafayette. Lake Martin, the preserve's main visitor attraction, is approached by two paved roads, Highway 353 from Lafayette and Highway 31 from Breaux Bridge. A small parking area is located at the southwest end of Lake Martin, where the walking levee trail may be accessed through the adjacent gate. Another parking area is located at the northern end of the lake from Rookery Road, where the north end of the walking levee trail may be accessed through the adjacent gate.

What to See: Plants
This cypress-tupelo swamp and bottomland hardwood forest habitat is a relic of the mysterious swamps of the past, with old-growth live oaks and cypress covered with Spanish moss.

 

What to See: Animals                                                                                                                    The preserve is home to a spectacular wading bird rookery that supports thousands of nesting birds each spring. Nesting White Ibis, Anhinga, Cormorant, Snowy Egret, Little Blue Heron, Green Heron, Great Egret, Roseate Spoonbill, Tri-color Heron, Yellow-Crowned Night Heron, Black-Crowned Night Heron, and Great Blue Heron may be observed. The walking levee trail on the preserve is also a superb place to observe trans-gulf migratory songbirds. As you visit the preserve, keep an eye out for the many reptiles and amphibians that call this area home, including all sizes of American alligators.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
The Nature Conservancy of Louisiana's goal is to restore 20,000-acres of natural cypress-tupelo swamp and bottomland hardwood forest, in order to support a diverse array of indigenous species of plants and wildlife. Using culturally appropriate and eco-friendly building techniques to add a public parking area, picnic area, much needed restrooms, and a short boardwalk will enable the Conservancy to minimize disturbance to the rookery while accomodating public visitation.

  • Dogs and other pets are not permitted off of levee trail. Because of the heat, alligators, and other natural pests, it is not recommended to bring pets with you while you visit.
  • 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 in the preserve. Fishing is allowed in the open water in Lake Martin.
  • 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 ones designed for the preserve.