Cypress Island Preserve
“Lake Martin is part of the greater Lake Martin Important Bird Area and is situated within The Nature Conservancy’s Cypress Island Preserve, the largest remaining tract of hardwood forest in the Teche-Vermilion watershed. This preserve protects almost 10,000 acres of wild bottomland hardwood forest habitat and cypress-tupelo swamp. Lake Martin’s nationally significant waterbird rookery serves as a popular spring nesting spot for a variety of herons, egrets, neotropic cormorants, roseate spoonbills, white ibis and anhingas, and some species stay at the lake year-round.” Description from Water Heritage. There is a small boardwalk and visitor center at the south end of Lake Martin.
Visitor Center phone 337-342-2475 Here is the Preserve’s website.
Levee Walking Trail. 2.5 miles is open from fall to spring. It closes during alligator nesting season.
The boardwalk is short but fun, providing a safe and dry close up look at swamp plants and animals.
