BREC's Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center

Natural Landscape

The 103-acre facility combines conservation, education, and recreation. Open since 1997, it was the first nature conservation-focused park in the Baton Rouge area.

Visitors can explore diverse ecosystems, including a cypress-tupelo swamp, beech-magnolia forest, and hardwood forests via over a mile of gravel and boardwalk trails.

Wildlife

Wildlife is abundant throughout the nature center. Visitors commonly spot birds, squirrels, turtles, snakes, and small mammals such as raccoons and rabbits.

Lucky visitors might catch glimpses of foxes, coyotes, deer, and otters that occasionally visit the preserve.

Exhibit Building

The centerpiece of the park is its 9,500-square-foot exhibit building. This space hosts live animal exhibits, photographic displays of local flora and fauna, and various natural artifacts like mineral samples and Louisiana duck decoys.

The building offers hands-on educational opportunities with touch tables featuring snakeskins, feathers, and pelts. A working beehive exhibit called "The Bee Hive" and a gift shop with nature-themed souvenirs enhance the experience.

Programs and Events

Regular programming includes birding walks, nature education workshops, and family-friendly events. Seasonal activities such as "Rockin' at the Swamp", "Duck Duck Goose Day", and "Swamp Haunted Hikes" enrich the calendar with interactive and themed content.

The center also prioritizes education through programs for toddlers, youth, and school groups, making it a destination for learning and recreation alike.