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Places We Protect

Mary Ann Brown Preserve

Louisiana

A wooden gazebo can be seen across a clear, calm lake surrounded by forest.
Mary Ann Brown Preserve The Nature Conservancy's Mary Ann Brown Preserve is located in Louisiana. © Seth Blitch/TNC

John James Audubon painted some of his famous bird paintings not far from this part of Louisiana.

Viewing

Overview

Description

Donated by the late Mr. and Mrs. L. Heidel Brown in memory of their daughter, the Mary Ann Brown Preserve includes a native forest of loblolly and shortleaf pines mixed in with old-growth beech, southern magnolias and other hardwoods. To maintain the health of the forest, TNC restored former agricultural fields and regularly works to control non-native, invasive weeds.

Contrary to many Louisiana landscapes, the Mary Ann Brown Preserve also boasts steep slopes formed by loess (wind deposited) soil. The resulting deep ravines create a microclimate that fuels unique plant and animal life, including eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus), summer tanager (Piranga rubra) and Swainson’s Warbler (Limnothlypis swainsonii).

Access

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Highlights

The preserve contains roughly two miles of walking trails.

Size

110 acres

Explore our work in this region

Visitors Welcome

In addition to protecting the forest and unique topography, TNC has developed the Mary Ann Brown Preserve as a public preserve, with two miles of trails and boardwalks created and maintained to provide easy accessibility to nature. Depending on the time of year, visitors have an opportunity to enjoy bird watching and view chipmunks that are unique to this part of the state.

More About Mary Ann Brown Preserve

  • Park in designated parking areas only. TNC keeps the front gate closed, but not necessarily locked, to discourage unauthorized vehicle entry.

  • The trail system is open to the public daily during daylight hours only. Please remain on the established walking trails. 

    The Main Loop Trail (1.3 miles) begins and ends at the front entrance gate after guiding hikers over numerous footbridges, past the pavilion and around the pond. Hikers can add 0.7 miles to their hike by taking the Outer Loop, a spur trail off of the Mail Loop.  

    Be vigilant on the trails, including an awareness of poisonous snakes, ticks, chiggers, stinging insects, holes, roots, stumps, fallen and low branches, poison ivy and other hazards.

  • The preserve features a covered pavilion and pond house, which are available for daytime outings. There are no public telephones located at the preserve.

  • Overnight primitive camping and other preserve amenities are available to scout and school groups by reservation only. Contact TNC’s Baton Rouge Office (225-338-1040) to make a reservation and learn about additional guidelines for enjoying the preserve beyond the daylight hours. (NOTE: Paper products, cleaning supplies, brooms, mops and a shovel are available for visitors in the maintenance room.) 

  • Bicycles are not allowed on walking trails.

    Fishing is permitted. However, fish larger than 6” must be returned to the pond.

    Swimming is prohibited.

  • If you bring your dog to this preserve, they are required to remain on a leash.

  • Smoking is prohibited, except for at the pavilion. Please properly dispose of cigarette butts.

Mary Ann Brown Preserve Snapshot

Check out some of the wildlife found at this unique nature preserve.

Yellow flowers bloom from a thick green, leafy stem.
A hand surrounds a small green sapling that is emerging from wet leaves.
A wooden boardwalk leads to a gazebo overlooking a wetland.
An orange mushroom emerges from a leafy forest floor.
A black and gray snake rests in leaves.
Yellow flowers bloom from a thick green, leafy stem.

Carpenter's Groundcherry: Carpenter's Groundcherry (Calliphysalis carpenteri) grows at The Nature Conservancy's Mary Brown Preserve in Louisiana. © Will deGravelles/TNC

A hand surrounds a small green sapling that is emerging from wet leaves.

Swamp Chestnut Oak: A swamp chestnut oak (Quercus Michauxii) grows at The Nature Conservancy's Mary Ann Brown Preserve in Louisiana. © Will deGravelles/TNC

A wooden boardwalk leads to a gazebo overlooking a wetland.

Mary Ann Brown Preserve: The Nature Conservancy's Mary Ann Brown Preserve in Louisiana features a gazebo. © Sydney Finn

An orange mushroom emerges from a leafy forest floor.

False Caesar's Mushroom: False Casear's mushroom (Amanita parcivolvata) grows at The Nature Conservancy's Mary Brown Preserve in Louisiana. © The Nature Conservancy

A black and gray snake rests in leaves.

Timber Rattlesnake: A timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) rests in some leaves at The Nature Conservancy's Mary Ann Brown Preserve in Louisiana. © Erin Bryan

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