Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

There is no Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge in the state of Wisconsin.


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Summary

However, there is a Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge located in Lacombe, Louisiana. The following summary is about the Louisiana refuge:

Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge is located on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain in Louisiana. The refuge spans over 18,000 acres and is known for its diverse habitats, including pine flatwoods, marshes, and cypress-tupelo swamps. Visitors can enjoy a range of outdoor activities, such as hiking, birdwatching, fishing, and hunting.

One of the main attractions of the refuge is the Big Branch Marsh boardwalk, which offers stunning views of the marsh and is a great spot for birdwatching. Visitors can also explore the refuge's many trails, which offer opportunities to see a variety of wildlife, including alligators, otters, and migratory birds.

Interesting facts about the area include that it was once a popular spot for hunting and trapping, and that the refuge was established in 1994 as part of a larger effort to protect wetlands and coastal habitats in Louisiana.

The best time of year to visit the refuge is in the fall and winter months, when temperatures are cooler and migratory birds are passing through. However, visitors can enjoy the refuge year-round, with each season offering unique experiences.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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