Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge

Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge The refuge is rich in wildlife and in recreation opportunities.

Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge in east New Orleans contains a variety of wildlife habitats — including patches of bottomland hardwood forest, freshwater, brackish and estuarine tidal marshes, lagoons, canals, and natural bayous. Bayou Sauvage is a popular place to enjoy fishing, crabbing, hiking, paddling, bird watching, nature photography, youth waterfowl hunting, self-guided tours, and interpretive and educational programs.

WE NEED YOU!The Ridge Trail & Boardwalk is finally OPEN! And we’re looking for volunteers to help us celebrate the grand...
08/27/2026

WE NEED YOU!

The Ridge Trail & Boardwalk is finally OPEN! And we’re looking for volunteers to help us celebrate the grand reopening!

📅 Saturday, September 19
⏰ Volunteer hours: 9:00 AM–1:30 PM

We need helping hands for:
🚗 Parking & traffic flow
🎨 Tables & activities
🌿 Event setup & breakdown
🤝 Helping our visitors have a great day!

Come volunteer, meet your community, and be part of this exciting reopening!

Ready to join us? Sign up NOW!

📧 [[email protected]]
📞 504-756-6795

Let’s make this reopening one to remember!

SAVE THE DATE!Come celebrate the reopening of the Ridge Trail & Boardwalk at Bayou Sauvage Urban —and help us celebrate ...
08/24/2026

SAVE THE DATE!

Come celebrate the reopening of the Ridge Trail & Boardwalk at Bayou Sauvage Urban —and help us celebrate with Urban Refuge Day!

Join us Saturday, September 19, 10am-1pm, for an awesome day exploring the Ridge Trail’s new boardwalk and reconnecting with your wildlife refuge!

-Free family-friendly activities
-Boat rides
-Explore the new boardwalk
-Discover local wildlife
-And so much more!

Bring your family and friends and come celebrate this exciting new chapter for Bayou Sauvage! We can’t wait to see you out on the trail.

08/21/2026

Y’all asked, y’all waited… and now we’re excited to finally announce the Ridge Trail & Boardwalk is officially OPEN!!!!

After months of construction, we’re excited to welcome you back to experience YOUR beautiful new boardwalk and observation deck.

Come walk the new boardwalk, take in the wetlands, spot some wildlife, and reconnect with YOUR refuge.

We’ll see you on the trail!

Video: a pan of the new boardwalk- observation deck- overlooking the marsh at the Ridge Trail and Boardwalk

Wetlands, kinda chic.Bayou Sauvage Urban wetlands are kinda chic because they do it all:-Store carbon-Help reduce storm ...
08/16/2026

Wetlands, kinda chic.

Bayou Sauvage Urban wetlands are kinda chic because they do it all:
-Store carbon
-Help reduce storm surge impacts
-Provide essential habitat for wildlife
-Create a place of refuge, recreation, and connection for people

Protecting wetlands? Kinda chic.
Exploring your wildlife refuge? VERY chic.

Come visit, get curious, and learn more about YOUR wildlife refuge.

Photo description: various photos of refuge programs, from environmental education students activities, to paddling at the marsh and the new Joe Madere Marsh with writing on each of the pictures describing each activity as “Kinda Chic”

Photos: Giessell Aguilar/FWS

Slow down, you might miss a turtle! Did you know our wetlands are home to several turtle species, including the Alligato...
08/06/2026

Slow down, you might miss a turtle! Did you know our wetlands are home to several turtle species, including the Alligator snapping turtle, Red-eared Slider, Mississippi Map Turtle, Common Snapping Turtle, and the Three-toed Box Turtle?

Fun facts:
Turtles bask in the sun to stay healthy.
They've been around since the age of dinosaurs.
Some turtles can live for decades!

Next time you're exploring the refuge, keep an eye out along the water's edge. Which turtle will you spot first? Share pictures of your favorite turtles in the comments below.

Photo: Alligator snapping turtle, Garry Tucker/USFWS

Overnight, one of Bayou Sauvage's most talented artists clocked in for the night shift!Meet the Yellow Garden Spider (Ar...
08/01/2026

Overnight, one of Bayou Sauvage's most talented artists clocked in for the night shift!

Meet the Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia)—a master architect that spins breathtaking circular webs throughout the refuge. But have you ever noticed the bold zig-zag design in the middle? That's called a stabilimentum, and scientists think it may help keep larger animals from crashing through the web while also luring curious insects.

At Bayou Sauvage, even the smallest creatures play a BIG role in keeping our wetlands healthy. Every web, every wingbeat, and every ripple is part of the story that makes this urban refuge so wild.

Have you ever spotted a Yellow Garden Spider at the refuge? Share your photos in the comments—or tell us your favorite "tiny but mighty" wildlife find!

Photo description: A black and yellow garden spider on a zigzag web with green leaves in the background. Photo Credit: Journey Moore/ACE

With its bright white feathers, long curved bill, and striking blue eyes, the White ibis (Eudocimus albus) is one of the...
07/30/2026

With its bright white feathers, long curved bill, and striking blue eyes, the White ibis (Eudocimus albus) is one of the most recognizable wading birds along the Gulf Coast. This bird is more than elegant; they play a major role in our wetland ecosystem.

At YOUR Refuge, White ibis can be spotted foraging along the shallow waters and marshes, searching for insects, crayfish, crabs, snails, and other small aquatic species. Through their search for food, these birds help control pest populations and aerate the soil. That allows water, air, and essential nutrients to reach the deep root zone, promoting growth, healthier soil, and better drainage.

Have you spotted any during your visit to the refuge? Share your favorite photo and tag us!



Photo credit: Journey Moore/ACE

It’s Shark Week!Sharks might seem like deep-ocean animals but bull sharks have been found in Lake Pontchartrain, just be...
07/28/2026

It’s Shark Week!

Sharks might seem like deep-ocean animals but bull sharks have been found in Lake Pontchartrain, just beyond the Refuge.

Here is how wetlands and YOUR Refuge play a big role in ensuring marine wildlife, like sharks, thrive in the ocean. Wetlands act as natural filters, removing sediments, nutrients, and pollutants from water before it flows into lakes and the Gulf.
This cleaner water supports healthier ecosystems from marsh, to lake, to ocean. Everything is connected.

When we protect wetlands, we protect the ocean.

Address

17160 Chef Menteur Highway
New Orleans, LA
70129

Telephone

+19858822000

Website

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