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Wild Things, Saturday, October 11, 10 AM - 4 PM

Description of event: Find Your Wild at Wild Things 2025! Enjoy family-friendly outdoor activities including children’s activities, live animals, live music, hayrides, canoe paddling, and more! Admission, parking, activities and music are all FREE. Food will be available for purchase, benefiting the Friends of Louisiana Wildlife Refuges, Inc. Wild Things is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy nature at the Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuges complex. Great outdoor recreation awaits!  For more information about the event, or to become an exhibitor or volunteer email Ranger Becky Larkins at   or call 985/882-2025.

Wild Things is held at our refuge headquarters at 61389 Hwy. 434, Lacombe, LA 70445.

Wild Things Youth Art Contest

Calling all youth artists! Entries are now being accepted for the Wild Things Youth Art Contest!

If you are between the ages of 5 - 18 you can enter into the Wild Things Youth Art Contest. Each person may enter one entry of native Louisiana wildlife that can be found on a Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge. Only native plants, animals, habitats and landscapes are accepted - no exotic or invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

Learn more about invasive species . Artwork must be original and can use any medium (colored pencil, crayon, paint, etc.) except no digital artwork (scanned, traced or computer generated) is accepted. You do not have to enter with your school, entry can be on own, more information below!

Please go to /refuge/big-branch-marsh/library to enter into the Wild Things Youth Art Contest

For additional information contact Refuge Ranger Becky Larkins at [email protected]. Deadline for submissions is Wednesday, September 24, 2025. 

Service Saturdays September 6 & October 4, 8 - 11 AM

Community volunteers and groups of all ages and skill levels are invited to join a Service Saturday day event hosted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Friends of Louisiana Wildlife Refuges, Inc. These community service work days are a great way to get outdoors and meet new people. They are also an enriching opportunity for youth and young adults to gain community service credit.

Service projects typically consists of activities such general trails and garden maintenance or a wildlife habitat restoration project. Light snacks and water is provided by the Friends of Louisiana Wildlife Refuges, Inc. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. All equipment is provided and new volunteers are always welcome.

Nature Explorers 

1^st & 3^rd Friday of the month

Join refuge staff for this FREE, fun-filled educational program for young children 0 - 6 years old. Learn about native animals, create nature themed crafts, go on a short nature walk and more! Children must be accompanied by an adult through the duration of the program. Program meets at the Bayou Lacombe Visitor Center and is 45 minutes in duration. Programs vary with each nature explorers program and meet rain, mud or shine. No Registration is required.

Homeschool Fridays

4^th Friday of every month (no program in July)

Join refuge staff for this FREE, fun-filled educational program. Everyone is welcome but programs are geared for youth ages 12 and under (K - 8th grade). Homeschool Day programs are set up to help families explore native flora, fauna and habitats of Southeast Louisiana. This program is a great opportunity to explore the natural world and engage in hands on activities. All youth must be accompanied by an adult through the duration of the program.  

All programs are FREE courtesy of the Friends of Louisiana Wildlife Refuges, Inc. and are conducted rain, mud or shine. Program length is 90 minutes. Register by emailing Ranger Becky at [email protected].

Bayou Gardens Open House February 28, 2026 from 9 AM - 1 PM

Bayou Gardens was created beginning in the 1940’s by former Louisiana Governor Richard Leche on grounds surrounding his home on Bayou Lacombe. By 1950 the gardens were being operated as a commercial tourist attraction and as a nursery for camellias, azaleas, and other plants. The gardens were later maintained by the Redemptorist order, which established the Holy Redeemer seminary school on the site in 1960. Bayou Gardens Open House Celebrates this rich culture and historic flora and fauna of the Bayou Lacombe Center 

Bogue Chitto Youth Fishing Rodeo 

30th Anniversary of the Bogue Chitto Youth Fishing Rodeo - June 2026, exact date TBD