Pass a Loutre Wildlife Management Area facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pass a Loutre Wildlife Management Area
IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
Pass a Loutre Wildlife Management Area Location in Louisiana
Location	Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana
Area	66,000 acres (270 km2)
Established	Nov. 1, 1921
Governing body	Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

The Pass a Loutre Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is a huge protected area in Louisiana, USA. It covers about 66,000 acres (which is over 267 square kilometers!) of wetlands. Wetlands are special areas where the land is covered by water, like marshes.

This WMA is located in Plaquemines Parish. It's right next to the 48,000-acre Delta National Wildlife Refuge. You can only reach this amazing place by air or by boat. Inside its borders, you'll find the historic Pass A L'Outre Lighthouse and the small community of Port Eads.

Where is Pass a Loutre WMA Located?

This special area sits at the very end of the Mississippi River. It starts where the river splits into different paths, known as the Head of Passes. The WMA includes parts of the Southwest Pass, all of the South Pass, and the Pass a Loutre itself. It's all part of the amazing Mississippi River Delta Basin.

Plants and Habitats in the WMA

The Pass a Loutre WMA is made up of different types of wetlands. You'll find areas of low marsh, tidal marsh, mudflats, and salt marsh. These are all unique habitats for different plants and animals.

The main plant you'd see here is a type of grass called Spartina, also known as Southern Cordgrass. There are also areas of Coastal Prairie, which are like grasslands near the coast.

Animals and Wildlife in the WMA

The Pass a Loutre WMA is part of the Mississippi Delta, which is sometimes called "The Birds Foot" because of its shape. This area is home to many different kinds of wildlife.

You might spot whitetail deer and rabbits. There are also fur-bearing animals and alligators living here. Many birds, both those that live here all the time and those that migrate, call this WMA home.

Fish Species in the WMA

The waters here are full of fish! In the freshwater areas, you can find bass, bream, catfish, crappie, warmouth, drum, and garfish.

In the saltwater marshes, you'll discover different kinds of fish. These include redfish, speckled trout, and flounder.

Dealing with Invasive Pests

Sometimes, new species can cause problems for the environment. Since 2017, a tiny insect called the "Roseau Cane Mealybug" (Nipponaclerda biwakoensis) has caused a lot of damage. It has harmed over 80% of the Roseau Cane reeds in the WMA. These reeds are important habitats for wildlife.

The Mississippi Flyway and Bird Migration

The Pass a Loutre WMA is a very important stop for birds. It's the final destination for many birds using the Mississippi Flyway. This flyway is a major route that about 40% of all migratory birds use when they travel long distances.

Many different bird species use this route. Some common ones include the American goldfinch, blue jay, northern cardinal, and ruby-throated hummingbird.

The Audubon Society also focuses on protecting certain bird species in this area. These include the brown pelican, mottled duck, and the piping plover.

Climate of the WMA

The climate at Pass a Loutre WMA is called a Humid subtropical climate. This means it has hot, humid summers and mild winters. The average lowest temperature in winter is around 28.8°F (-1.8°C).

Visiting the WMA

If you want to visit any land managed by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, including this WMA, you usually need a special stamp or license. This rule started on July 1, 1993. However, if you are under 16 or 60 and older, you don't need to get one.

Protecting and Improving the Wetlands

Many projects have been done to help the wetlands in the WMA. Since 1986, sixteen small projects have been completed to help new sediment (like mud and sand) build up. This helps create new land and keep the existing land from washing away.

Artificial Reef Program

The WMA even extends into the Gulf of Mexico as part of an "Artificial Reef Program." This program helps create new habitats for marine life by building artificial reefs. Different groups, like the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and Louisiana State University, work together on this.

Loutre Restoration Project

In 2015, the Pass a Loutre Restoration Project received a big grant of $1,000,000. This money helps restore and improve the coastal marsh and beach areas. It also helps protect important nesting islands for birds. The project aims to improve over 2,000 acres of marsh and 225 acres of beach habitat.