The Flatwoods Savanna Wildlife Management Area

Deep in the heart of southern Louisiana lies one of the state’s last old-growth longleaf pine savannahs, a critical ecosystem that provides a lifeline for many rare species, while safeguarding wetlands and resilient soils. These indispensable forests are some of America’s most beautiful areas, but also some of our nation’s most threatened. With support from Atira Conservation, EJK Foundation, Louisiana Foundation for Fish and Wildlife, Louisiana Outdoors Forever Fund, Partnership for Gulf Coast Land Conservation, Restore the Earth Foundation, and The AES Corporation, TPL is helping the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries create Allen Parish’s first state-owned wildlife management area (WMA).

With the permanent protection of more than 426 acres, the WMA will create recreational access to the public in an area where it’s greatly needed. Already known as the Sportsman’s Paradise, the conservation of this land would allow Louisianans to enjoy hunting and birding across these parts. Residents and visitors alike would also be able to hike, photograph, and study this unique landscape as the only place in the state with old-growth pines and unaltered flatwoods ponds. By protecting and celebrating this piece of Louisiana’s rural heritage, we will be able to unlock the potential of the Southern outdoors for this generation and generations to come.