By Kim Montie, Leadership Class of 2024 and Cameron Parish Port Director
In a day filled with exploration and education, the Leadership Southwest Louisiana Class of 2024 recently visited Cameron Parish to learn about the groundbreaking conservation efforts at the Rockefeller State Wildlife Refuge. The trip offered the group of 38 community leaders a firsthand look at the refuge’s century-long commitment to wildlife, fisheries, and wetlands research, along with insights into coastal protection strategies critical to the region.
Led by Scooter Trosclair, Program Manager of the Rockefeller State Wildlife Refuge, the tour highlighted the refuge’s international reputation for its pioneering research. “For over 100 years, the natural resources at Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge have been conserved through biological management,” Trosclair explained. “This property serves as a vital test site for marsh management strategies that aim to limit saltwater intrusion, reverse marsh deterioration, and create productive wildlife habitats.”
One of the most memorable parts of the visit was the group’s experience at the alligator research lab, where they witnessed the hatching of young alligators and even had the chance to hold the hatchlings. This close encounter with one of Louisiana’s most iconic species underscored the importance of the refuge’s work in sustaining local wildlife populations.
The adventure continued as the group boarded fifteen airboats, generously provided by the refuge, local wildlife and fisheries agents, and supporting businesses. The airboats carried the group out to the Gulf Coast, where they observed recent shoreline protection measures designed to combat coastal erosion. Trosclair detailed how local grant money has been used to reinforce the shoreline with rocks, successfully reducing erosion caused by wave action. The group saw the positive effects of these efforts, including beach accretion and the thriving fishery that has developed around the newly created habitat.
After the coastal tour, the group gathered for a luncheon featuring a variety of fresh Cameron seafood, generously provided and prepared by GIS Engineering. The meal offered a taste of the region’s rich marine resources and was accompanied by a legislative update from District 47 Representative, Ryan Bourriaque.
Rep. Bourriaque, who grew up in Cameron Parish, shared how his experiences in the community shaped his journey to state office. He spoke passionately about his decision to run, driven by the frustration of feeling that the voices of smaller communities like Cameron Parish were not being heard. His remarks resonated with the group, emphasizing the importance of local leadership in advocating for the needs and interests of their communities.
The trip to Cameron Parish left the Leadership Southwest Louisiana Class of 2024 with a deeper understanding of the region’s environmental challenges and the innovative solutions being implemented to address them. It also reinforced the critical role of community engagement and advocacy in shaping the future of Southwest Louisiana.
Photos from the trip are featured on Page 10 of today’s issue.