The Ridge Trail boardwalk, a popular 2/3 mile nature walk at Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge, has been reopened to the public. The boardwalk suffered major damage during Hurricane Katrina, and was completely rebuilt following the storm. The boardwalk entrance and parking area are located on the north side of U.S. 90 (Chef Menteur Highway), 3.8 miles east of I-510.
The Ridge Trail is the primary hiking access point on Bayou Sauvage, and also is the site of the refuge?s environmental education programs for local schools, which will resume this fall. The site features a pavilion with tables, and public restrooms. Interpretive signs at the parking area and along the boardwalk provide information about the habitat and wildlife that visitors may see while at the refuge.
The boardwalk traverses a section of the forested ?ridge? that runs parallel to the Bayou Sauvage waterway and Chef Highway. While most of the refuge consists of marsh habitat, this small, slightly more elevated strip features one of the few wooded zones on the refuge. The boardwalk also features an overlook with a view of the interior marsh area of the refuge, which is not readily seen from the highway.
Katrina caused a loss of as much as 80% of the forest canopy in this area, and visitors will notice much more sun along the boardwalk as compared to conditions before the storm. Habitat restoration work is continuing at the site and elsewhere along the forested ridge, and includes control of invasive Chinese tallow trees and mulching of dead trees and other vegetation in preparation for reforestation. Tree planting will take place this winter, with species such as live oaks, cypress, sweetgum, green ash, and hackberry being planted to aid in the forest?s recovery.
Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge is open 7 days per week during daylight hours only, from sunrise until sunset. Other available access points for the refuge are along U.S. 90 and on U.S. Highway 11, where a launch provides access for boaters with outboard motors of up to 25 hp. For more information please phone 985-882-2000.