Who We Are

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation (LWF) is the Bayou State's leading organization of sportsmen and conservationists with 24 state and local affiliated clubs and 9,600 members. It represents a broad constituency of hunters, anglers, campers, birders, boaters and other outdoor-oriented citizens. 

The goals of the LWF are to conserve the natural resources of Louisiana, with particular emphasis on fish and wildlife and their habitats, to protect the rights of Louisiana citizens to enjoy these resources in accordance with sound, scientifically established resource management principles, and to accomplish this primarily through education and advocacy.

Perhaps best known for its pioneering role in the establishment of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, and the constitutional amendment dedicating the Conservation Fund for the operation of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the LWF has a long history of defending habitat and winning advances for conservation and the environment. A more recent achievement is advocating for the opening of Elmer's Island to the public that resulted in the State's Elmer's Island Wildlife Refuge. LWF also called for stronger protection for the Artificial Reef Development Fund that resulted in voters passing a constitutional amendment in 2014.

LWF's staff and volunteer leaders are working hard on a number of conservation fronts. Here are a few examples of these ongoing efforts:

LWF is the chief advocate for fish, wildlife and outdoor recreation on the State Water Policy Advisory Task Force, a body established by the Legislature to guide the development of water management policy and planning for Louisiana.

With continued LWF involvement and support, the state's Atchafalaya Basin Program has moved forward with projects and plans to enhance recreational opportunities and improve water quality through water management.

The Federation also played an important supporting role in convincing national conservation/environmental organizations to view the loss of the Mississippi River Coastal Delta as a national environmental issue worthy of more emphasis in their agendas.

LWF is addressing the negative impacts of feral hogs by calling for a coordinated, planned approach.

LWF is encouraging the review of forestry practices in the coastal zone to ensure the sustainability of this important element of the ecosystem that serves as a line of defense against coastal erosion.

LWF supports farm conservation and land management programs to reduce the runoff of nutrients responsible for the growing "Dead Zone" in the Gulf of Mexico.

LWF monitors legislative proposals concerning natural resources conservation and environmental quality, provides representation before the Louisiana Legislature and the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, and reports on the status of legislation to its members and the outdoor media in an effort to keep the public apprized of legislation that can impact the natural resources, environment and recreational opportunities in the state.

LWF is represented on numerous panels, committees and task forces pertaining to natural resources conservation and the quality of the environment including the Pesticide Advisory Commission,  the Atchafalaya Trace Commission, the Water Management Commission, the Water Advisory Task Force, the Management Conference of the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program, and the Louisiana Oilfield Site Restoration Commission, among others. 

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation continues to be in the vanguard of conservation and environmental policy in our state. Our future enjoyment of the outdoors in the "Sportsman's Paradise" can continue only with grassroots support from citizens like you. Please JOIN US!