Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuges Complex

06/01/2026

NOTICE: High Water Forces Cancellation of Annual Youth Fishing Rodeo Hosted at Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge, Steps taken to protect visitors and volunteers

Due to heavy rains the past couple of weeks and high water levels in the Pearl River the upcoming Youth Fishing Rodeo at the Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge has been canceled. The Jim Schmidt Boardwalk and Trail, youth fishing rodeo site location, has been underwater for over a week. In addition, water at the I-59 Service Road (Atlas Road), is impassable for vehicles in some locations. All areas must be assessed before reopening the site to public access.

With the Pearl River still running high and more rain forecast throughout the week, we have made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s youth fishing rodeo. This action has been taken for the safety of Refuge visitors and the volunteers and staff who work the event.

If you had a child(ren) registered for the event, please be patient as the Friends of Louisiana Wildlife Refuges, Inc., the Refuge’s support group, will be reaching out about reimbursement of
registration fee(s). Your patience is appreciated. If you have questions please reach out to the Friends at [email protected]. River levels on the Pearl River can be checked through the National Weather Service office in
Slidell, Louisiana at 985-649-0357, select option 1, then option 3, then 2 or at Pearl River near Pearl River.

Boaters are advised to use extreme caution during high river levels.

For more information, please contact the refuge headquarters at 985/882-2000.

USFWS Photo of the pavilion under water at the Jim Schmidt Boardwalk & Trail the Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge; site of the youth fishing rodeo.

06/01/2026

Happy June 1st! Be on the lookout for some awesome moths emerging this month. . . What’s your favorite large moth? Let us know in the comments!

June is peak silk moth season. The largest, most spectacular moths in North America emerge this month — and most of them fly for less than two weeks.

Already flying since May: hummingbird clearwing and snowberry clearwing at the flowers during the day. White-lined sphinx hovering at dusk. Giant leopard moth with bold black spots on white wings.

🌿 Emerging this month:

- Polyphemus moth — five-inch wingspan with enormous eyespots on the hind wings. One of the largest moths in your yard.
- Luna moth — pale green, long tails, no mouth. Roughly a week to find a mate and lay eggs. That's the whole adult life.
- Io moth — bright yellow with eyespots. The caterpillar stings — the adult is harmless.
- Imperial moth — yellow and brown, nearly as large as the polyphemus. Emerging in mid-to-late June.
- Promethea moth — males fly during the day. One of the few silk moths you can see in daylight.
- Rosy maple moth — bright pink and yellow. The most photographed moth in the eastern US.

Most of them have no mouth as adults. They emerged to reproduce, not to eat. June nights are when it happens 🐾

05/30/2026

We are at the Lacombe VFW Davis-Moran Memorial Post 8290 May 30th Farmers Market - stop by and say “Hi,” we will be here until 1 PM.



USFWS photo of outreach at the Lacombe VFW.

05/29/2026

Due to the High Water conditions at the Jim Schmidt Boardwalk and trail the Service Saturday event scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, May 30 has been CANCELED. Thank you for understanding!



USFWS Photo of High Water at the entrance to the Jim Schmidt Boardwalk & Trail at Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge.

05/21/2026

School is out for the summer. . . it's time for Summer Reading!! Join our rangers at the St. Tammany Parish Library Kick-off events THIS Thursday at the Madisonville Library and THIS Friday at Slidell Library (Robert Road) from 4 - 7 PM. Let's dig-in to some fun summer nature learning!



USFWS Photo collage of Ranger Becky & Ranger Alana with the logo for the 2026 St. Tammany Parish Summer Reading Theme "Unearth a Good Story."

05/20/2026

Don't forget to register for this month's Homeschool Day! Homeschool Day will be hosted THIS Friday, May 22 at 10 AM. Register today by emailing Ranger Becky at [email protected] - come learn about nature with us!



USFWS Photo by A. Harrelson of Ranger Becky teaching a school group.

05/18/2026

***NOTICE*** Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge Prescribed Burning May 19, 2026

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) plans to conduct prescribed burning at Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) near Lacombe, LA on May 19, 2026, weather permitting. The unit scheduled to be burned is Mossler N, which lies South of Hwy 190, bordering Transmitter Rd to the West and Bayou Paquet Rd to the South. Approximately 80 acres will be affected. Smoke may be visible in surrounding areas but minimal impact to the public is expected.

Prescribed fire is the burning of vegetation based on a prescription that takes into consideration fuel type, fuel moisture, relative humidity, air temperature, wind speed, wind direction, and other atmospheric conditions to ensure a safe and successful burn. All prescribed fires must have approved plans and meet rigorous criteria developed by agency fire experts. Prescribed burns will also comply with all State of Louisiana open burning regulations.

The objectives of the Big Branch Marsh NWR Fire Management Program are to: 1) provide protection to private property and human lives against uncontrolled wildfires through vegetative fuel reduction, 2) provide protection to both natural and constructed Refuge resources from catastrophic wildfires through fuel reduction, 3) maintain biological diversity in fire-adapted plant communities, and 4) maintain habitat for Service trust resources, including endangered and threatened plant and animal species through the use of prescribed fire as a management tool.

USFWS is a leader in the use of prescribed fire to support healthy ecosystems and reduce the risk of wildfires, which can threaten people, fish, wildlife, and plants. The recently established U.S.
Wildland Fire Service (USWFS) and USFWS staff are dedicated professionals working across the country to implement safe, effective solutions to address some of our greatest natural resource challenges.

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The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American
people. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov/southeast. Connect with us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usfwssoutheast, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws, and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwssoutheast.

USFWS map of Mossler Until N at the Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge in Lacombe, LA.

05/12/2026

Pssstt…have your heard the news?? The registration for this year’s Bogue Chitto Youth Fishing Rodeo is OPEN!! Register today at www.FLWR.org

05/10/2026

We need YOU!! To help with operations at the Bayou Lacombe Visitor Center! We are hosting an informational training THIS Wednesday, May 13 from 9 AM- 12 PM at the center. Questions? Or to register email Ranger Becky at [email protected]