The Louisiana Wildlife Federation (LWF), along with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), is proud to announce the winners of our 2023 Youth Hunter of the Year competition. This is the first time since 2019 that we are honoring Louisiana’s Youth Hunters of the Year and because of that five-year hiatus, our panel of judges decided to select two boys and two girls who best represented the joy, thrill, camaraderie, and beauty of hunting in the Sportsman’s Paradise. LWF recently honored the winners at the 58th Conservation Achievement Awards. Each recipient received a plaque i ..read more

Louisiana Wildlife Federation (LWF) has recognized seven individuals and one organization for their significant achievements in natural resources conservation and education. The recipients were recognized as part of the 58th Conservation Achievement Awards Banquet, held in Baton Rouge on Friday, April 12. These awards, represented by unique wildlife statuettes, were jointly presented by the Louisiana Wildlife Federation and the National Wildlife Federation. Conservationist of the Year – Alexander Kolker, PhD. Our Conservationist of the Year is Dr. Alexander Kolker, a New Orleans native and an ..read more

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation (LWF) is calling upon residents and businesses throughout the state to join others in turning off bright or excess lighting from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m. each day between April 1 and May 31 to help protect the billions of migratory birds that fly through Louisiana at night during this period. Louisiana sits within the Mississippi Flyway migratory path, with the state’s vast wetlands, forests, and coastline serving as critical stops along the birds’ migration routes. Twice a year, 325 bird species travel the Mississippi Flyway, including 40% of shorebirds.  Du ..read more

Every six years, Louisiana’s Coastal Restoration and Protection Authority (CPRA) releases the state’s Coastal Master Plan, an expansive document that details projects and funding allocated for coastal restoration and guides coastal restoration work. Not only is our state’s plan one of a kind (Louisiana is the only state with an agency and plan this size dedicated to coastal restoration), but it is key to the work that protects our state, including our homes, livelihoods, culture, economy and wildlife. Louisiana’s coastal program has been very robust, with record-breaking investments in recent ..read more

This is an important time to speak up for our coast. With a change in administration comes changes in leadership across state agencies. It’s important that all decision makers understand the importance of maintaining a strong and effective coastal program. Monday, March 25, 2024 is Coastal Day at the Louisiana Legislature! This is an important opportunity to support coastal communities, ecosystems and economies as we highlight all the great progress that has been made in restoring south Louisiana and engage our state’s decision makers on the critical work that still needs to be done. This even ..read more

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is excited to announce the 2024 Edgar Veillon Conservation Leadership Corps, composed of 21 undergraduate college students representing 7 universities from across the state who are passionate about Louisiana wildlife conservation. The program kicked off in January at Chicot State Park in Ville Platte, LA. The 2024 cohort interacted with natural resource professionals from around the state and experienced the beauty and power of Louisiana’s natural resources. Sessions II and III will be held virtually with the fourth and final session held in at Baton Rouge. Ov ..read more

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission is poised to take the final step to ensure the recovery of Louisiana’s red drum (redfish) population. At their scheduled meeting on Thursday, March 7th, the Commission will vote one last time to approve their amended Notice of Intent (NOI), which they initially approved last December. The amended NOI sets the bag limit at three redfish per person/day and the slot limit at 18” to 27” with no fish allowed over 27”. With this one final vote, the Commission sets Louisiana’s prized fishery on a road to sustainability in just 13 years. That’s almost 20 ..read more

After local citizens and organizations, including Louisiana Wildlife Federation, expressed concerns about the potential impacts of a carbon capture and sequestration project in Lake Maurepas, Southeastern Louisiana University (SELU) has been tapped for third-party monitoring in the lake. According to SELU’s October 2022 announcement, “Southeastern will be monitoring all facets of this project involving the lake to ensure up-to-date data and information are available. We will make all the data we record available to the public to ensure everyone’s right to know any findings,” said Dan McCarthy ..read more

Alex Kolker, PhD, of New Orleans, and associate professor at the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON), specializing in oceanography, geology, and climate science, has been named 2023 Conservationist of the Year by the Louisiana Wildlife Federation. Dr. Kolker recently led the charge for collecting data to better understand the continuing evolution of Neptune Pass in the lower Mississippi River and related land-building. He also developed a new tool showing the sources of major greenhouse emissions and other pollutants in the state. The Conservationist of the Year Award is presente ..read more

Louisiana Wildlife Federation (LWF) advocates for forested lands for their economic, ecological, and recreational roles in Louisiana and has supported active reforestation as fundamental to the health of forest ecosystems.  Recently, LWF created an educational flyer outlining the benefits of mixed hardwood and pine plantings. To view the flier click HERE. This flyer was produced with the intention of reaching individuals and families whose small holdings are potential participants in reforestation programs.  We want to make sure participants are aware of the alternatives to lobl ..read more