Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge

Natural resources at the Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge are managed in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Sherburne Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Atchafalaya Spillway Water Diversion Project.

The Sherburne WMA, Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Bayou Des Ourses Area combine to form a 44,000 acre tract, collectively referred to as the Sherburne Complex. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries owns 11,780 acres, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service owns 15,220 acres, and the remaining 17,000 acres is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The area is managed as one unit by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Public access on Refuge lands is managed by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries under a cooperative agreement. Since the federal and state lands share common boundaries, LDWF technical and field personnel manage the wildlife on both the state wildlife management areas and the Refuge. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff are responsible for all forest management, law enforcement, and issuance of special use permits.

The Friends of Louisiana Wildlife Refuges Inc. support a wide variety of projects at the Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuges Complex. As a non-profit organization, our Friends group seeks funding from private and public sources and secures grants for habitat restoration, special events, and education projects.