The Nature Conservancy and Lake Martin

Since the first time I visited Lake Martin and The Nature Conservancy’s Cypress Island Preserve, it has been one of my favorite Louisiana destinations. The 200-acre lake, located near the Cajun city of Breaux Bridge, is the perfect south Louisiana postcard.

You can count on Lake Martin to deliver gorgeous sunsets, as long as clouds don’t get in the way. The Cypress Island Preserve at Lake Martin is at the top of my list of Louisiana sunset locations. I snapped the above photo only a short distance from the parking lot at the lake’s boat launch. You do not need a boat to enjoy a spectacular view of the setting sun and cypress trees on the lake.

A partnership – The Nature Conservancy and Lake Martin

A 1950’s dam helped create Lake Martin, according to Jill Andrew of The Nature Conservancy. She works in the visitors’ center at the Cypress Island Preserve. The preserve includes 9,500 acres of cypress and tupelo bottomland swamp in and around Lake Martin. The lake is well-known for its nesting wading birds, including great white egrets, roseate spoonbills, and other species, that congregate in the trees near the shoreline. You can paddle a canoe or kayak, or walk along the levee road, to get a glimpse of the birds on their nests from late winter through mid-summer.

the birds of lake martin

The Nature Conservancy provides both access for bird lovers and protection for the nesting birds of Lake Martin. A boardwalk near the visitors’ center provides an area for bird watching. But storm damage has closed portions of the walkway.

lake martin and the nature conservancy featured on tv

getting there

The Cypress Island Preserve at Lake Martin is located a few miles south of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. Address: 1264 Prairie Hwy, Saint Martinville, LA 70582. Phone (337) 342-2475.

1264 Prairie Hwy, St Martinville, LA 70582