Atchafalaya Basinkeeper

Atchafalaya Basinkeeper A grassroots organization dedicated to protecting and restoring the Atchafalaya Basin in South Central Louisiana.
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Atchafalaya Basinkeeper is a proud Member of Waterkeeper Alliance. Atchafalaya Basinkeeper is a grassroots organization dedicated to protecting and restoring the Atchafalaya Basin in South Central Louisiana. We work for the people who use the Basin and for countless future generations who have the right to a world as good as or better than what we inherited. Two major threats to the long-term heal

th of the Basin are unsustainable cypress logging and sedimentation which is filling in our deep swamps year after year. We do anything within the law to protect the Basin, including ensuring that our environmental laws are enforced. We help preserve the Basin through monitoring and enforcement, education and outreach, and building grassroots support of our program. With regular monitoring flights, Basinkeeper is the only group in the state monitoring for illegal cypress-tupelo logging. Our monitoring efforts are largely responsible for stopping illegal cypress logging in coastal Louisiana. The Atchafalaya Basin is the more than 1.4-million-acre basin of the Atchafalaya River, containing North America’s most productive and biodiverse forested wetlands and includes 885,000 acres of forest and 517,000 acres of marshland. The Basin houses the largest remaining contiguous forested wetlands in the Mississippi River floodplain. These forests provide critical habitat to over 300 bird species, over 40 species of mammals, more than 40 reptilian species, over 20 amphibian species and are important wintering grounds for migratory birds. Providing habitat to about 100 species of fish and shellfish, the Atchafalaya Basin is culturally and commercially important as well. Much of the food and lifeways associated with the Cajun culture arose from life in the swamp. This area is still fished by Cajuns, many of whom are losing their ability to earn a livelihood because the fisheries are declining due to the deteriorating health of the swamps and bayous in which they fish. Some people still make a living fishing, but their fishing culture is fading away as their kids and grandkids are forced to find work elsewhere. As the health of our wetlands declines, so does the vitality of the wildlife and the people that these ecosystems support. If we can successfully restore the Atchafalaya Basin, the fishing culture will thrive again and it will become possible to build a strong ecotourism industry stemming from the beauty and abundance of this exotic natural area. Healthy fisheries and a strong ecotourism industry could provide a sustainable income source for the people living in and around the Basin for years to come.

Do you know the difference between an alligator and a crocodile?One you will see later and the other after while 😂😂😂😂Why...
06/18/2026

Do you know the difference between an alligator and a crocodile?

One you will see later and the other after while 😂😂😂😂

Why did the alligator cross the road?
He wanted to be BAYOU!
😂😂😂😂

Ever wondered how the Atchafalaya Basin came to be—and why it’s so vital to Louisiana? Join geologist and Babineaux Sist...
06/14/2026

Ever wondered how the Atchafalaya Basin came to be—and why it’s so vital to Louisiana? Join geologist and Babineaux Sisters musician Dr. Gracie Babineaux as she uncovers the fascinating story of where the water meets the road and how the Basin continues to protect our communities.

June 15, 6:00pm at

06/11/2026

You may recognize Dr. Gracie Babineaux from the incredible local band, The Babineaux Sisters, but she is also a geologist with a deep passion for Louisiana’s landscapes and waterways.

We are excited to welcome Dr. Babineaux to our June meeting, where she will present “Where the Water Meets the Road: The Formation of the Atchafalaya Basin and How It Protects Our Communities.” Through this engaging presentation, she will explore the unique geology of the Atchafalaya Basin and share insights into one of Louisiana’s most remarkable and important landscapes.



June 15, 6pm at Cavalier House Books…see y’all there!

Check out Atchafalaya Basinkeeper's Executive Director, Dean Wilson, and Community Engagement Coordinator, Kirby Vining,...
06/10/2026

Check out Atchafalaya Basinkeeper's Executive Director, Dean Wilson, and Community Engagement Coordinator, Kirby Vining, as they promote the upcoming ABK Acadiana meeting featuring Dr. Gracie Babineaux, who will be discussing the geology of the Basin!

👩‍🏫Here are a few fun facts to get you jazzed up about the meeting, courtesy of Dr. Babineaux:
,
-The land of southern Louisiana we know and love, has been created, shaped, and reshaped by river geology

-The edges of the Atchafalaya Basin were formed from different pathways of the Mississippi River, which created ridges (high areas) to enclose the area where the basin is now

- The Atchafalaya River, without current river control structures, would be the new main pathway for the Mississippi River

- Wax Lake is the ONLY spot in Louisiana (and most of the Gulf Coast) actively growing coastline

Come and learn more about the geology of our incredible Basin with us this upcoming Monday, June 15th, 6:00 PM at Cavalier House Books - Lafayette!

A big thank you to KATC-TV 3: Acadiana's Newschannel for their continued support of our Atchafalaya Basin!

"Protecting what protects us": Atchafalaya Baskinkeeper to host mee...

Volunteering is one of the most direct and meaningful ways to create real impact. It transforms concern into action and ...
06/07/2026

Volunteering is one of the most direct and meaningful ways to create real impact. It transforms concern into action and helps protect the places and communities we care about most. Whether you’re helping at a tabling event, assisting with mailouts, participating in Save the Basin monitoring efforts, entering data, or preparing for community events, every contribution matters. Join our volunteer team today and be part of the movement to protect and preserve Louisiana’s natural treasures!

For more information, contact: Community Engagement Coordinator, Kirby Vining
225-692-1964 | [email protected]

World Environment Day is June 5th, and what better way to celebrate than by treating yourself to a day in our wondrous l...
06/05/2026

World Environment Day is June 5th, and what better way to celebrate than by treating yourself to a day in our wondrous local environment? Despite the inevitable heat Louisiana summers bring, our state offers countless ways to cool off and reconnect with nature. From shaded bayous lined with towering tree canopies to winding waterways rich with wildlife, Louisiana’s natural beauty provides the perfect escape from the summer sun and a reminder of why protecting these places matters so much.

Recently, Team ABK has been hard at work advancing our mission on multiple fronts. We’ve been diligently pursuing grants, expanding community outreach through ABK Acadiana, participating in media interviews, attending the River Connections Conference, meeting with state agencies, and engaging in important fundraising efforts. We’ve also been tabling at community events, developing and strengthening our programs, responding to logging threats, and continuing the day-to-day work required to protect Louisiana’s treasured landscapes and waterways.

Every conversation, partnership, and action helps build momentum for a healthier, more resilient future for our communities and ecosystems. Thank you for standing with us and being part of this important work.

📸 : Chad Landry

Early morning in Buffalo Cove and the birds are already enjoying their breakfast. The Atchafalaya Basin has many coves a...
06/03/2026

Early morning in Buffalo Cove and the birds are already enjoying their breakfast. The Atchafalaya Basin has many coves and rookeries that are home to countless wading birds like egrets, herons, spoonbills, and ibises. The birds rely on these secluded, shallow-water areas to nest, feed, and reproduce. In protecting the Basin, we are also protecting the beautiful birds who live there. Visit our website to learn more about how you can donate to support our efforts.

📷 : Greg Guirard

Address

Plaquemine, LA
70765

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+12256921133

Website

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