Got Acreage? Want to make it better?
We can help!
What can you do with larger plots of land?
Many people in Acadiana own an acre or more of land that:
- is no longer in agricultural production,
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they don’t want used for a new subdivision,
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is too small to get the attention of landmen developing mitigation banks, wildlife leases, solar farms, or data centers,
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or is a mowing chore!
And, some landowners just want to make a difference in the world!
If left untended, these lands can become overgrown with invasive and undesirable woody plants like chicken trees and Chinese privet. While land practices like mowing, haying and prescribed burns are helpful in this management, they can only go so far to improve ecological function.
We believe that these parcels of land scattered throughout Acadiana present a grand opportunity to do a lot of good. We also believe that most landowners want their land to contribute to the well-being of Acadiana’s coastline, prairies, and forests. Restoring the ecological value of these lands creates a connected network of biodiversity and climate resilience that serves the long-term environmental health of the entire Acadiana region.
You are not alone. Join the network.
ANPP leaders who own acreage have embarked on their own conservation journeys and found that it wasn't easy for everyday people like us to understand and navigate the world of conservation. Through trial and error, we identified the specific management tools and agency partnerships needed to achieve our conservation goals. These experiences highlighted a resource gap for small landowners, prompting our proposal for ANPP to support small landowners through the Acadiana Conservation Initiative.
The Acadiana Conservation Initiative will provide hands-on learning and community networking opportunities for anyone wishing to improve ecological function on their land. Our focus will be on improving biodiversity and hydrology at a larger scale than residential landscaping.
If you have similar goals or you just want to learn about potential conservation practices for your land, join the network! Filling out this form lets us know what you are looking for and will give us a way to let you know about upcoming opportunities to connect with people and resources to support your goals.
What will the Acadiana Conservation Initiative do?
The mission of this project is to connect landowners with resources for improving ecological function, hydrology and biodiversity on their land, and to support their efforts to do so sustainably and, as appropriate, in perpetuity. We are working on creating digital resources such as a Landowner Portal, fact sheets, virtual and GPS tours, and giving talks, workshops, and property tours.
Which federal and state agencies can help?
Your first step is to contact your parish office of the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Each parish's Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is usually housed in the same office. Either has technical staff who can advise you, though keep in mind their focus has traditionally been agriculture. The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFW) and Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries have programs for landowners too.
What about nonprofits?
Large nonprofit organizations often have biologists on staff who can advise you, free of charge, depending on the ecological characteristics of your land. Read about the work of Quail/Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy, and Land Trust for Louisiana to see if their goals align with yours.
What will this cost me?
These agencies and organizations can provide technical advice at no cost to you! Once you have a plan, it's time to get to work. Practices like prescribed burns, planting local ecotype seed or plants, and land work can be costly. You may qualify for cost-share programs that will compensate you for carrying out conservation practices on your land. You can use these funds to hire others to do this work, or save by doing the work yourself.
Want to get in touch?
Contact: Phyllis Baudoin Griffard, ourlouisianabio@gmail.com, 832 499 8249 Nicole DeJean, nicoledejean78@gmail.com, 337 230 3473