Briarwood Caroline Dormon Nature Preserve
From Natchitoches: Take Washington St./LA 6 East past the Red River bridge at Grand Ecore then turn left on LA 486 the Campti Cutoff at Campti turn right on LA 480 and immediately left on LA 71. In 1.2 miles turn right on LA 9 for about 19 miles – then turn left on Briarwood Preserve Road, immediately after the Briarwood Preserve sign. Enter the preserve through the gates, the visitors center is ¼ mile ahead.
From Shreveport: Take I-20 east to exit 61, turning right onto LA 154 continue south on 154 which will change over to LA 517 south of Gibsland. At Bryceland turn right onto LA 9 at the stop sign just past the railroad tracks. Continue south on LA 9 for 22 miles to Saline, turning right at the traffic signal – from there proceed an additional 3 miles and turn right on Briarwood Preserve Road just after the Briarwood Preserve sign. Enter the preserve through the gates, the visitors center is ¼ mile ahead.
Caroline Dormon was the first female forester hired by the U.S. Forest Service and the originator of the Kisatchie National Forest System in Louisiana. This 125-acre nature preserve, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is named for this pioneering native plant advocate. She lived here for many years, cultivating hundreds of species of Gulf Coast native plants, including rare or endangered species. The preserve is the home of the largest Long-leaf Pine in the United States and two specimens of the rare Torreya taxifolia (Florida Yew).
Visitors can begin birding after turning off the highway and onto Caroline Dormon Road. Signs lead to the visitor's center and parking area. During the drive to the parking lot, woodland species, including various woodpeckers, Red-shouldered Hawk, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, and Carolina Wren, can be observed along the way.
Primitive trails traverse mixed pine-hardwoods, hardwood slopes, and wooded bottoms. Great-crested Flycatcher, Yellow-throated and Red-eyed Vireos, White-breasted Nuthatch, and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers live here, as do numerous warbler species.
The trails meander throughout the property, passing through a large wildflower meadow, an iris bog, small stream habitat, a bog wetland, and two cypress-edged ponds. Around the meadow, look for species ranging from Eastern Wood-Pewee to Eastern Kingbird to Eastern Bluebird. Around the ponds, be on the lookout for Wood Ducks, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Solitary Sandpipers, and other water-loving species. Migration periods bring in a whole new cast of characters, including sparrows, thrushes, orioles, and numerous warbler species, along with Rose-breasted and Blue Grosbeaks.
This private site is open throughout the spring and fall months (typically Saturday and Sunday), and by appointment at other times. Amenities include good signage, parking, a visitors center/gift shop, restrooms, an outdoor classroom, and a picnic area. The site is partially handicapped-accessible. There are numerous trails for hikers, birders, botanists/horticulturists, and nature photographers.
