Resident Volunteer - Visitor Center

The Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuges Complex manages six National Wildlife Refuges scattered throughout southeast Louisiana. These refuges include Atchafalaya, Big Branch Marsh, Bogue Chitto, Breton, Cat Island, and Delta. Habitats range from barrier islands, to coastal wetlands, to piney flatwoods, to one of the most undisturbed swamplands in the country. Some of these refuges are only accessible by boat, while Bayou Sauvage Urban NWR (sister refuge) is located within the city limits of New Orleans, making it one of the largest urban National Wildlife Refuge in the country. Winter temperatures can dip below freezing during the nights and summer temperatures can exceed 90ºF with high humidity levels. The complex headquarters and visitor center are located in Lacombe, Louisiana, a few miles north of Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge. The property has a rich history and includes formal gardens, which due to the climate require a great deal of gardening to maintain.

In 1998, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service purchased the property. The property’s former owners include Judge Borah, Louisiana Governor Leche and the Redemptorist Fathers. The Southeast Louisiana Refuges Complex moved their headquarters building to the site in 2003. It is now the main contact point for information on eight National Wildlife Refuges located throughout southeastern Louisiana. The property is a work in progress. Years of encroaching vines, shrubs and groundcover have overtaken the bounty of camellias, azaleas and other shrubs. Volunteer efforts are uncovering hundreds of flowering shrubs, fountains and original, brick walkways. The complex’s visitor center is open to the public Thursdays through Saturdays. 

Resident RV Volunteer Position Description

Position Description: We are looking for couples or individuals willing to assist us with one or all of the following:

• Staffing the Bayou Lacombe visitor center;
• Refuge maintenance projects including minor plumbing, carpentry, painting, masonry and janitorial work;
• Gardening projects related to landscape and trail maintenance;
• Photographing a variety of natural resources;
• Clerical activities, such as filing and answering the phone at the front desk;
• Leading interpretative canoe tours for families on Bayou Lacombe or other areas;
• Assisting with outreach/education programming: assistance in presenting curriculum-based, educational programs for students in local classrooms, on Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge and at the Bayou Lacombe Center in Lacombe, Louisiana.

Peak demand for school programs is usually spring (Feb-May) and fall (Sept-Dec).

A background in education or interpretation would be extremely helpful. New volunteers will accompany a Refuge Ranger to programs until they feel comfortable leading the program. In addition, we offer activities at our headquarters facility in Lacombe. The programs at the Bayou Lacombe Center are designed to allow a scout leader, parent or teacher to educate their group, class, home school student, scout troop or pack by supplying easy to follow guidelines, games, tools and handouts.

The Complex has five RV pads with cement patios and full hook ups (water, electric and sewer). Amenities for RV volunteers include community washer/dryer building, gas grill and picnic pavilion. Pets are allowed but must be under control at ALL times and non-intrusive to others. Use of RV pad will require a one-month minimum commitment and at least three, eight hour days for couples and four, eight hour days for individuals. The schedule is flexible; weekdays, weekends and holidays may be worked. All volunteers are given an orientation to the nine National Wildlife Refuges in southeast Louisiana and a volunteer hat, shirt and jacket, and name plate. Maintenance projects vary, and may include electrical, plumbing, construction, woodworking and “other” duties as assigned.