Safeguarding Louisiana’s Natural Legacy
For nearly 40 years, The Nature Conservancy has been working in Louisiana to protect nature through conservation policy. Louisiana is a place where nature and people are deeply entwined. Enjoying the outdoors has long been a way of life here, a passion that unites the state’s economy, culture and history across generations. With your support, we can continue to work toward a vibrant future for our beloved state.
We advance policy solutions that strengthen the connection between nature and people.
Explore Our Legislative Priorities
Overview
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Founded in 1951, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is one of the largest environmental non-profits in the world. We are working to make a lasting difference in 81 countries and territories (40 by direct conservation impact and 41 through partners) and we have protected more than 125 million acres of land across the globe and here in Louisiana.
TNC has operated in Louisiana since 1987, working to restore and protect some of the most important ecological areas in the state. For example, in St. Tammany Parish and Southwest Louisiana, we have helped protect thousands of acres of longleaf pine. Along the coast, we have protected important coastal habitats, including the Mandalay marshes in the central coast, Chenier woodlands along the southwest coast, the live oak forests of Grand Isle, the White Kitchen area in the Pearl River Swamp, and the great Cat Island Swamp along the Mississippi River.
Along important rivers and waterbodies, we have focused on conserving land, including miles of forested frontage along Bayou Bartholomew, Bayou Dorcheat, and Corney Bayou in north Louisiana and along the Bogue Chitto River and other streams in south Louisiana. We’ve constructed 10 miles of oyster reef in Vermilion Bay, Grand Isle, along the St. Bernard Parish marshes, and in Calcasieu Lake. We’ve restored tens of thousands of acres of floodplain back to the pulses of the Ouachita River, and we’ve planted well over a million trees across the state, which provide homes for a full spectrum of species that depend on quality habitats here in Louisiana.
Thousands of wading birds depend on our Cypress Island Preserve near Breaux Bridge and waterfowl flock to areas like Grand Cote, Lake Ophelia, and the Red River wetlands we have protected. Our Louisiana Treesilience program is planting trees and helping maintain the tree canopy in parishes affected by hurricanes. These are just a sample of the great places we have worked to conserve in the last 35 years.
TNC in Louisiana has more than 20 staff members who are devoted to protecting and conserving this state. Louisiana’s position at the base of the Mississippi River and along the Gulf Coast means we have a variety of important habitats and critical needs to address in our work.
In 2024, TNC embarked on a process to identify the key areas of work to help us meet our global goals in climate mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity protection, and positively impacting people. Our legislative goals fall under our broader TNC Louisiana vision goals.
Our Priorities for Louisiana
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In TNC, we have a global goal of helping 100 million people at severe risk of climate-related emergencies by the year 2030 by protecting and restoring the health of natural habitats — from mangroves and reefs to floodplains and forests — that help protect communities from storm surge, extreme rainfall, severe wildfires and sea level rise. In Louisiana, we conduct conservation statewide that uses nature to provide flood resilience for communities and an accelerated protection and restoration of floodplains to increase flood resilience, improve water quality, and provide habitat for resident and migratory fish and wildlife.
- Lower Mississippi River Watershed Conservation and Protection
Louisiana sits at the base of the Mississippi River watershed, a challenging position that is also full of conservation potential. We advocate for science-based legislation that will restore ecological features, reconnect floodplains, protect sources of drinking water, and protect biodiversity.
- Louisiana Watershed Initiative and other state agencies
o We support the implementation of the Louisiana Watershed Initiative and other legislation that takes a comprehensive look at floodplains and watershed management, as well as keeping people out of harm’s way. We also support implementing resilience into state planning.
o We support the Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources and other state agencies’ priorities that support our goals of habitat protection and restoration in Louisiana.
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By the year 2030, TNC aims to globally reduce or store 3 gigatons of CO2 emissions annually. To contribute to this goal in Louisiana, we sequester carbon on TNC’s properties through tree plantings, and we advocate for renewable energy and carbon sequestration in the state. We understand a diverse energy portfolio is necessary for the future. Bringing wind and solar energy to Louisiana is necessary, but it must be done responsibly. We support responsible renewable energy siting that provides a future with abundant, clean energy that doesn’t needlessly harm habitats and fish and wildlife populations.
- Climate Action
We advocate for legislation that will help achieve TNC’s goal of avoiding greenhouse gas emissions or sequestering 3 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year. We support the development of energy sources including wind, solar, and carbon capture that help reduce emissions, provide energy security and expand growing economies in Louisiana.
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Restoring biodiversity and combating climate change require innovative and landscape-scale change. TNC’s Kisatchie to the Coast initiative will design and implement a robust network of protected natural lands across southwestern Louisiana, including coastal prairies and longleaf pine. This vital but imperiled region is often overlooked for conservation. We will restore and protect rare and resilient habitats that anticipate Louisiana's future coastal needs.
- Prescribed Fire Burn Management
Controlled fire on both conservation and working lands is beneficial for many of the state’s natural communities, helps return nutrients to the soil, and reduces risk to adjacent communities by lessening the impacts from wildfires. We advocate for the continued ability to maintain healthy habitats and wildlife on private property through the use of prescribed fire.
- Restoring Coastal Prairie
Coastal prairie once spanned more than 2.5 million acres of southwest Louisiana; today there remains less than 1,000 acres among many small patches. Restoring and recovering prairie in the coastal zone is a means of building a more resilient coast, renewing our cultural history and sense of place, and increasing wildlife habitat. We support legislation that assists landowners in restoring coastal prairies on their properties (especially in areas where crop production may be unsustainable).
- Coastal Protection
Since 2010, TNC has constructed 10 miles of oyster restoration/shoreline protection projects, including four miles in Calcasieu Lake. These projects are restoring oyster populations, slowing loss of coastal wetlands, and increasing production of recreationally and commercially important seafood species. We support legislation that continues to restore and maintain the natural coastal habitats that protect communities and enhance economies.
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By 2030, TNC has a goal to conserve 1.6 billion acres of land globally. Since TNC began operating in Louisiana, we have worked with public and private partners to conserve more than 300,000 acres of important habitats. We protect and manage more than 45,000 acres across Louisiana. On all of our properties, we conduct land management and monitoring on par with our promise to our donors and partners, the public, and most importantly, the species that use them. We seek to expand restoration at our preserves, provide access to nature, and protect rare and endangered species.
- Private Lands Management
We advocate for legislation that allows for responsible management of private lands.
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For decades, TNC in Louisiana has worked in tandem with our state agency partners to conserve and protect valuable habitat in Louisiana. We helped facilitate the acquisition of lands that were then transferred to state agencies for the creation of new Wildlife Management Areas and State Parks. We advocate for funding for Louisiana’s natural resources agencies to conserve our precious habitats. We believe that well-managed public and private lands provide quality habitat for fish and wildlife, safe and abundant recreational opportunities, and flood protection for Louisiana’s citizens.
- The Louisiana Outdoors Forever program and other Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) priorities
o TNC, with a group of dedicated partners, led the development of the Louisiana Outdoors Forever program, created in 2022. So far, the program has been allocated $11 million from the legislature. We advocate for additional funding to carry out this program’s mission.
o We advocate for other LDWF priorities and projects which support our goal of habitat protection and conservation in Louisiana.
- The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority’s (CPRA) programs and projects
o We support the approval of the CPRA annual plan.
o We advocate for other CPRA priorities and projects which support our goal of coastal habitat protection, oyster restoration, coastal resilience and conservation in Louisiana.
How to Work Together
to Make a Difference
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Partner
Invite us to the table to collaboratively address nature loss alongside landowners, organizations, communities, and local, state, & federal government agencies.
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Policy
Develop conservation policies that reflect our shared values and goals, ensuring the protection of nature while enabling effective natural resource management strategies.
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Fund
Invest in our future by funding initiatives that encourage conservation of our lands and waters, and balance development with ecological integrity.
Decades of Hands-on Expertise Working with Communities & Government at All Levels
Since 1951, we have shared policy recommendations and fostered a world where both people and nature thrive. As a non-partisan, evidence based organization, we strive to advance policy solutions that support land and water conservation.
Policy + People + Nature Share a Connection
Policy makes conservation possible. Without it, we cannot preserve land. Land is the foundation of our existence, providing us with food, energy and space where we build our cities and communities. Our culture and way of life are deeply connected to the natural world, reminding us that we depend on healthy lands, waters, and ecosystems. Our land flows with natural springs and rivers that produce water, supports vital wildlife corridors for endangered species, and ecosystems for marine life. It protects vulnerable coastlines and adds beauty to developed areas. Recognizing this fundamental connection, we must conserve our land in order to safeguard all we cherish for generations.
Feature
Louisiana's Living Landscape
The Atchafalaya River Basin, spanning nearly a million acres, is North America's largest floodplain swamp. Ecosystems like this provide vital wildlife habitat and act as a natural floodway, safeguarding communities from flooding.
How TNC Uses Land Acquisitions & Conservation Easements to Conserve Louisiana
These powerful and effective tools allow us to protect open space lands from intensive development. TNC uses land acquisition to purchase land to preserve it for conservation, agriculture, and outdoor recreation. Conservation easements offer a unique solution, allowing landowners to protect their land while continuing to live on and use their land, at the same time potentially providing them with tax benefits.
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Louisiana residents care about preserving the environment and the places they call home. Land conservation helps improve water quality and supply, boosts resiliency against storms and provides habitat for diverse species. Protecting land also has economic benefits such as support for agricultural productivity and creating more opportunities for people to get outdoors and connect with nature. Investing in land conservation today ensures a healthier, more resilient environment and quality of life for all who call our state home.
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Our mission is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.
We see an exciting future for nature. A future filled with opportunities and possibilities. A future where nature beats the odds. Where a better tomorrow exists thanks to forests, grasslands and streams. Coral reefs and mountain ranges. Animals great and small. Our human communities. By collaborating across boundaries, borders and divides, we can manifest this reality because together, we find a way.
Conservation policy helps maintain the delicate balance of ecosystems, which in turn supports human well-being.
Advance Meaningful Policy for Louisiana
Thoughtful conservation policies drive meaningful statewide progress. Let’s unite to conserve nature, empower communities, and ensure lasting solutions for wildlife and biodiversity today.
Wading in the water: An american alligator in White Kitchen Preserve, Louisiana. © Marybeth Temples
Tree Planting: Volunteers plant a tree at a Louisiana Treesilience Program event. © The Nature Conservancy/Amanda Takacs
A Pod: White pelicans in LSU Lakes, Baton Rouge, LA. © Gail Suberbielle/TNC Photo Contest 2019
Outdoor Recreation: Paul Kieu kayaks past cypress trees in Lake Martin in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana within the Atchafalaya River Basin. TNC Louisiana is working to preserve and restore this region © Rory Doyle
CC Road Savanna Preserve: The Nature Conservancy's CC Road Savanna Preserve contains some of the best remaining examples of wet longleaf pine flatwood savanna in southwestern Louisiana. © The Nature Conservancy/Will DeGravelles
Take Action for Louisiana
Every acre we preserve, every river mile restored, every habitat we save for wildlife is because of you.
Real Stories, Real Impact
Louisiana Watershed Initiative
The Nature Conservancy and partners are pursuing a science-based approach to managing freshwater resources in ways that respect the natural functions of watersheds.
Bad Water Out, Good Water In
The Nature Conservancy is working in the Atchafalaya River Basin to restore water quality for trees to grow, plants to flourish and wildlife to thrive.