Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge was formed through a unique partnership with the City of Monroe, Louisiana, in the summer of 1997. Almost simultaneously, as an integral part of the vision of Refuge Manager Kelby Ouchley, the Friends of Black Bayou (FoBB) was organized. Black Bayou Lake NWR is one of relatively few urban refuges, located just 5 miles from a community of nearly 100,000 people. The refuge covers more than 4,500 acres including a 1,600 acre lake with pristine wetlands and the associated flora and fauna of southern swamps The success of the refuge, and of FoBB, is tied to its proximity to Monroe and especially to the dedication of approximately 20 people. From its very start, FoBB hit the ground at a gallop. The group took advantage of the fact that one of its founding members was a retired graphic artist. By the end of its first meeting, FoBB was ready to publicize what its first president boasted would become a world-famous logo. While that prediction may have been somewhat overstated, FoBB’s logo is certainly recognized throughout the region.
FoBB has celebrated many successes since that first meeting. In its 7 years of existence, FoBB has not missed a single monthly meeting (though the December meeting is usually a party). Similarly, FoBB has become locally known for its increasingly anticipated Fall Celebration. Now poised for its 8th annual event, the Fall Celebration has grown from a affair of fewer than 100 supporters to more than 1200 attendees who come for environmental activities and free food. Many lessons have accompanied the group’s success. One lesson has been to keep long-term goals as the principal focus. These goals include support of Refuge System and especially Black Bayou Lake NWR, environmental education, and conservation of native species. Towards that end, FoBB has raised the money and volunteered the hours that have contributed to the following projects:
FoBB’s current project is the building of a fully equipped biology wetlab. This project was made possible by an effective fundraising effort resulting in $250,000 of local support matched by $150,000 from the FWS. Groundbreaking is expected this summer (2004). FoBB’s strength, of course, is its people. More than 700 contributors and volunteers, families and businesses, friends and neighbors, have provided the financial and moral support that puts Black Bayou Lake on the National map. FoBB and FWS have been fortunate to count the local media, government, corporations, foundations, and civic groups as valued partners. This outpouring makes FoBB’s accomplishments special and, most importantly, has helped to make Black Bayou Lake NWR the beautiful slice of Louisiana it has become.
|
