Friends of Black Bayou NWR

Friends of Black Bayou NWR FOBB is a nonprofit community organization that supports Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
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04/17/2026

Earth Day 2026 Celebration 🌎

Saturday, April 18

Ribbon Cutting at Noon

Followed by a Nature Walk

Join us for the Conservation Learning Center’s new Snake Room Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and the Louisiana Plein Air Competition.

Stay updated by checking our page Friends of Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge (FoBB) or visit friendsofblackbayou.org for more information.
📍 480 Richland Place, Monroe, Louisiana 71203

Join us on Instagram for latest updates
04/17/2026

Join us on Instagram for latest updates

186 Followers, 3 Following, 98 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Friends of Black bayou ()

04/17/2026

Meet the rarest snake in North America, Louisiana pine snake. We have two of them brother and grouchy. Come join us on April 18 on Earth Day to witness this spectacular snake room with variety of non-venomous snakes found in Louisiana..

04/13/2026

10 feet Alligator Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge # #

2026 Louisiana Plein Air Competition:    Registration and Artist Contract3rd Annual Louisiana Plein Air Competitionhoste...
04/08/2026

2026 Louisiana Plein Air Competition:

Registration and Artist Contract
3rd Annual Louisiana Plein Air Competition
hosted by Friends of Black Bayou, Inc.
April 18, 2026

email Daniel Moore with questions: [email protected]

https://docs.google.com/forms/u/0/d/e/1FAIpQLSe3fowYyWhLagBAGTvIO8e0qnb_sYaxKsHRB8GxOtf18AALLw/viewform?pli=1&authuser=0

This form must be signed prior to participation in this event.

All entry fees must be paid in the form of a donation to Friends of Black Bayou on or before the day of the event.

If paying through friendsofblackbayou.org please use special instruction “PLEIN AIR”

Registration Categories & Fees:
(entry is half-price for members of FoBB)
Professional Artists (18+): $20
Teen Artists (junior high + high school): $10
Young Artists (3rd – 5th
grade): $10
Tiny Artists (2nd and younger): $10

PAY ONLINE (special instruction: PLEIN AIR)

Event Details:
Saturday, April 18, 2026, 8:30am-noon
Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Monroe, Louisiana (check-in at the Visitor Center)
480 Richland Place, Monroe, Louisiana
Schedule:
8:30 - 9:30am, Artist Check-in (at the Visitor Center)
9:00 - 12:00, Art-making
12:00 - 12:45, Judging, all work must be submitted by 12:00 to be judged
1:00, Awards Ceremony

What a beautiful evening for our Full Moon Walk at Black Bayou NWR! 🌕✨We had a great turnout and were lucky to enjoy suc...
04/02/2026

What a beautiful evening for our Full Moon Walk at Black Bayou NWR! 🌕✨
We had a great turnout and were lucky to enjoy such a peaceful night under the glow of the Pink Moon.
The sounds of the bayou really came alive — we heard bullfrogs, bronze frogs, bird-voiced treefrogs, a squirrel treefrog, and cricket frogs filling the night air. 🐸🎶 And to top it off, we even spotted three gators! 🐊

Thank you to everyone who joined us for such a special night exploring the refuge after dark. Hope to see you all again soon!

2026 Louisiana Plein Air Competition:    Registration and Artist Contract3rd Annual Louisiana Plein Air Competitionhoste...
03/26/2026

2026 Louisiana Plein Air Competition:

Registration and Artist Contract
3rd Annual Louisiana Plein Air Competition
hosted by Friends of Black Bayou, Inc.
April 18, 2026

email Daniel Moore with questions: [email protected]

https://docs.google.com/forms/u/0/d/e/1FAIpQLSe3fowYyWhLagBAGTvIO8e0qnb_sYaxKsHRB8GxOtf18AALLw/viewform?pli=1&authuser=0

This form must be signed prior to participation in this event.

All entry fees must be paid in the form of a donation to Friends of Black Bayou on or before the day of the event.

If paying through friendsofblackbayou.org please use special instruction "PLEIN AIR"

Registration Categories & Fees:
(entry is half-price for members of FoBB)
Professional Artists (18+): $20
Teen Artists (junior high + high school): $10
Young Artists (3rd – 5th
grade): $10
Tiny Artists (2nd and younger): $10

PAY ONLINE (special instruction: PLEIN AIR)

Event Details:
Saturday, April 18, 2026, 8:30am-noon
Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Monroe, Louisiana (check-in at the Visitor Center)
480 Richland Place, Monroe, Louisiana
Schedule:
8:30 - 9:30am, Artist Check-in (at the Visitor Center)
9:00 - 12:00, Art-making
12:00 - 12:45, Judging, all work must be submitted by 12:00 to be judged
1:00, Awards Ceremony
Artwork Requirements:
All 2D media is accepted, so long as materials are used responsibly while at the refuge.
Works may be no larger than 24 inches in height or width.
Only one work per artist may be submitted for judging.
Work must be completed the day of the event and submitted by 12:00 for judging.
Awards:
Artwork must be made in accordance to the Louisiana Plein Air Competition rules stated herein to be eligible for awards.
Each category will be granted a Best-in-Show Award and one Honorable Mention, awarded by judges established by Louisiana Plein Air event organizers.
An artist does not need to be present during the awards ceremony to receive the award. Efforts will be made by the event organizers to contact the winning artist(s) in the event of the artist's absence.
Artwork must be made at Black Bayou Lake NWR on the day of the event, in participation of the event, in order to be eligible for awards.
The advertised solo exhibition at Northeast Louisiana Arts Council will occur in April, 2027. More details will follow and communication will be established between the winning artist and the Arts Council following the Louisiana Plein Air Competition.
The advertised solo exhibition at Northeast Louisiana Arts Council will only be awarded to one artist, the winner of Best-in-Show in the Professional Category.
Rules:
Each artist may submit only one work to be judged.
Contest check-in ends at 9:30 a.m.
Work must be submitted to judges by 12:00 to be judged. Late work will not be considered.
Artists are responsible for the protection of their work during the contest.
Works are the property of the artist. No artwork is to be sold during the event or at Black Bayou Lake NWR. As such, artists are solely responsible for handling of their artworks.
Works must be left on display at Black Bayou Lake NWR until May 16, 2026.
Artwork must be picked up from Black Bayou Lake NWR on or by May 30, 2026. Any work left at Black Bayou Lake NWR after this date becomes the property of Friends of Black Bayou, Inc.
Artist will handle art materials responsibly while at the refuge.
Friends of Black Bayou has permission to include images of artwork in promotion material, giving credit to the artist.
Artist agrees to pay the entry fee, paid in the form of a donation to Friends of Black Bayou, on or by the day of the event.
I fully understand and acknowledge that there are risks associated with
participation in this event, including but not limited to bodily injury, partial and/or total disability, paralysis and death; social and economic losses and/or damages, these risks and dangers may be caused by the
negligence of participants or the negligence of others, that there may be other risks not known to Friends of Black Bayou or are not reasonably foreseeable at this time. I further accept and assume such risks and responsibility for the losses and/or damages following such injury, disability, paralysis or death, however caused and whether
caused in whole or in part by the negligence of the Releasees named above.
Questions:
email Daniel Moore with questions: [email protected]

Earth Day 2026 Celebration 🌎Saturday, April 18Ribbon Cutting at NoonFollowed by a Nature WalkJoin us for the Conservatio...
03/11/2026

Earth Day 2026 Celebration 🌎

Saturday, April 18

Ribbon Cutting at Noon

Followed by a Nature Walk

Join us for the Conservation Learning Center’s new Snake Room Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and the Louisiana Plein Air Competition.

Stay updated by checking our page Friends of Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge (FoBB) or visit friendsofblackbayou.org for more information.
📍 480 Richland Place, Monroe, Louisiana 71203

🌕✨ **Full Moon Walk at Black Bayou NWR – What an Incredible Evening!** ✨🌕What a beautiful night under the glow of the Wo...
03/04/2026

🌕✨ **Full Moon Walk at Black Bayou NWR – What an Incredible Evening!** ✨🌕

What a beautiful night under the glow of the Worm Moon at **Black Bayou National Wildlife Refuge**! 🌙

We were thrilled to welcome **100+ participants** who joined us for a peaceful evening walk filled with laughter, learning, and the calming sounds of nature after dark. Seeing families, friends, and nature lovers of all ages come together made the night truly special.

As we explored the refuge trails, we experienced a different side of the outdoors — from the quiet rustling of nocturnal wildlife to the serene reflection of moonlight on the water. It was a reminder of how magical nature can be when we slow down and simply observe.

A very special **thank you to our dedicated volunteers** — both new and long-time supporters — who helped organize, guide, and ensure the event ran smoothly. Your time, energy, and commitment are what make events like this possible. We truly couldn’t do it without you!

Thank you again to everyone who came out and made this Full Moon Walk such a memorable success. We look forward to seeing you at our next event! 🌿🌌

Kiroli Park is temporarily closed due to extensive damage from the ice storm. If you are a regular walker there, you mig...
02/11/2026

Kiroli Park is temporarily closed due to extensive damage from the ice storm. If you are a regular walker there, you might try the nature trail at Black Bayou Lake NWR!

PARK UPDATE | Kiroli Park Closure 🚧

For the safety of our visitors and staff, Kiroli Park is currently closed until further notice while crews work to clear storm debris and address safety concerns. Our Parks & Recreation teams are actively working to make the park safe for the public, and we will share updates as progress continues. While we know this isn’t easy and not where we hoped to be, the closure is necessary to ensure everyone’s safety.

In the meantime, all other City of West Monroe parks are open, and we encourage you to visit and enjoy our other beautiful park spaces around the city. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to restore one of our community’s favorite places. 💚

Address

480 Richland Place
Monroe, LA

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