Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge

On July 12, 1913, naturalist and businessman Edward Avery McIlhenny bought about 86,000 acres of marshland in Louisiana with the help of donated money.

During the early years the marsh was patrolled to prevent poaching and the land was periodically burnt to encourage the growth of suitable fodder for muskrats and geese.

Fur–bearing mammals, waterfowl and alligators could be cropped on a sustainable basis and these and the oil available underground have been carefully harvested and have provided a steady source of income.

[6] When the Rockfeller Foundation donated the land it stipulated that:[6] Animals resident in the refuge all year round include mottled ducks, rails, nutria, muskrat, raccoon, mink, otter, opossum, white-tailed deer and alligators.

A reduction in the level of salinity in some areas encourages the growth of submerged aquatic and annual plants which provide suitable habitat for wildfowl.

[5] Brown pelican and bald eagle restoration projects are managed from here and striped bass are raised for distribution to river systems in the west of the state.

[7] Many are students and members of organisations who come to learn about wildlife conservation at the study centre which can provide lodging and laboratory facilities.