12,252 ACRES CAMERON PARISH LOUISIANA
Cameron Marsh is a vast wetland ecosystem located in the heart of Cameron Parish, Louisiana. This area is home to an abundance of wildlife and plant species that thrive in the unique mix of freshwater and saltwater that is expertly managed. The marsh’s wetlands provide a vital habitat for migratory and resident birds, fish, and other species, making it a prime spot for conservationists.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the Cameron Marsh ecosystem is its varied bird life. More than 200 bird species can be found in the area, including species like the spoonbill, great blue heron, and white-faced ibis. The marsh also attracts an abundance of Mallard, Green & Blue-winged Teal, Pintail, Northern Shoveler, and Gadwall. Throughout the year, songbirds, raptors, and shorebirds speckle the marsh as well.
The marsh’s wetlands are home to dozens of species of freshwater and saltwater fish, including redfish, catfish, bream, and bass. Shrimp, crabs, and crawfish also thrive in the marsh’s brackish water areas, providing a crucial source of food for the area’s other inhabitants. Additionally, species like nutria, muskrat, otter, and alligator are found in abundance.
photo by Gary Meyers
The wildlife in and around Cameron Marsh make it a one-of-a-kind property, but another truly remarkable aspect of this beautiful land is its unique and sustainable management system.
Water control structures have been specially designed and installed to control how much water is in the marsh. This helps with the diversity of bird species and wildlife and can also assist in regulation of the breeding of alligators and number of eggs harvested each year.
Salinity meters on the property help regulate the flow of saltwater into the marsh. Keeping a close eye on the salt-to-fresh water ratio ensures the balance that keeps grasses, aquatic life, and birds thriving in the area.
Hunting on the property has been by invitation only and has been closely monitored. This practice has provided sanctuary for many of the bird species that spend more of their time on this property due to the lack of pressure from hunting.
Tags are allotted each year for alligator hunting, and alligator eggs are harvested yearly and sold to a nearby nursery. They in turn bring back a portion of the small gators for release on the property.
The ecological importance of Cameron Meadows is virtually unmatched. The wildlife as well as coastal protection is vitally important for humans and wildlife alike.
Photos (clockwise from top): American Alligator, (photo by Chris Alexander) White-faced Ibis, Black-winged Stilt (photos bt Gary Meyers)
Photos (clockwise from top): American Alligator, Tricolored Heron, Heron, Mallard, Spoonbill
All Photos by Gary Meyer
One of the most important factors about Cameron Meadows is the protection the marsh provides for hurricanes and storms. The marsh is the first and biggest natural barrier to prevent tidal surges from moving further inland from hurricanes. Louisiana has lost a dangerous amount of the inland freshwater marshes over the years, and this loss has caused several hurricanes to be worse than they would be, had the natural habitat continued to thrive. The Cameron Meadows Marsh Restoration Project has helped restore the marsh to a thriving habitat and protective barrier.
The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA), in partnership with the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA) and the federal sponsor, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) worked together to plan and establish a solution that would not only help maintain this important barrier, but also served as the genesis of new growth that would restore the lost marsh and wildlife. In this roughly $34M project, “nearly two million cubic yards of sediment that was dredged from the Gulf of Mexico [was] pumped five miles inland to build more than 300 acres of marsh and 2.3 miles of terraces to increase sediment deposition and reduce the impacts of wave erosion and saltwater intrusion,” according to the LCPA.
This project was completed in 2022, and since then, remarkable growth and a thriving habitat are the marks of the success of this project.
Photos (clockwise from top) Least Bittern, Nymphaea Ampla, blues eggs in nest, CPRA project map
The Marsh at Cameron Meadows is being offered for $17,054,784. To obtain additional information, please submit your contact information using the QR code or by contacting JJ Keeth (318.470.0483) or Pam Pelafigue (337.764.9216) All requests remain confidential.
