About us:

Bayou Teche Black Bear and Birding Festival

Is one of the youngest, yet ever growing festivals in St Mary Parish. Making its debut in 2004 on the banks of the beautiful and historic waterway that bears part of its name, the Bayou Teche Bear Festival, renamed the Bayou Teche Black Bear and Birding Festival, has gained momentum and expanded its mission. With the overwhelming response of volunteer participation, throughout the community, each year the festival promises to be bigger and better.

While the over-arching mission of the festival was and continues to be the development of an eco-friendly environment for the endangered black bear population that resides in St. Mary Parish, last year's organizers also decided to add the observation and impact of migratory birds that travel through the parish en route back to their home nests. These birds are migrating back to their breeding range after spending the winter in south and central America. 

With that said the goals of the festival include:

• Raising awareness by educating residents of the Louisiana black bear population and its environment in St. Mary Parish
• Assisting with the development of recreational opportunities at the Bayou Teche Wildlife Refuge
• Identifying the bird species that visit St. Mary Parish en route to their home nest
• Developing and cultivating an appreciation and respect for the environment
• Providing another opportunity for economic development in St. Mary Parish

Festival Committee Co Chairmans
Diane Wiltz and Karla F. Byron
info@bayoutechebearfest.org
337-578-3581 or 985-518-7970

Black Bear Conservation Coalition

The mission of the Black Bear Conservation Coalition , a broad based coalition of diverse interests, is to promote the restoration of the Louisiana black bear in its historic range, through education, research, and habitat management.

The Black Bear Conservation Coalition (BBCC) strives to accomplish its mission through partnerships among stakeholders, credible science-driven management, cooperation, and a genuine commitment to the goal of bear restoration. We believe that a healthy bear population can be an asset to the community and that with protection and responsible management, the Louisiana black bear can coexist with other land use objectives.

Since it's founding in 1990, the BBCC has had the primary objective of reversal of those factors that have brought about the steady decline of the Louisiana black bear. The BBCC believes that it is possible to secure a place for the continued existence of the bear within its historic range.

The BBCC continues to actively solicit input from all parties that may be affected by a larger bear population and work with them to resolve potential conflicts. Without the support of the general public, and the landowner in particular, the goals of the BBCC can never be achieved and the Louisiana black bear will likely remain listed as threatened under the provisions of the Endangered Species Act.

By working together, BBCC members believe that we can help restore a truly unique and magnificent component of our natural heritage.

Black Bear Conservation Coalition

Paul Davidson
P.O. Box 80442
Baton Rouge , LA 70898
Phone: (225)763-5425
Fax: (225)765-2452
pauldavidson@bbcc.org
Website: www.bbcc.org