ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION OAK SOCIETY
JULY/AUGUST 2026
A PATH HOME FOR THE LOUISIANA BLACK BEAR This work is especially important near the Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge, home to the southernmost population of Louisiana black bears. Bears can travel dozens of miles in search of food, mates, and suitable habitat, but fragmented forests and busy roadways can make those journeys dangerous. Since 1992, vehicle collisions have been the leading cause of bear deaths in Louisiana. By restoring native bottomland hardwood forests along the bayou, these plantings create a natural corridor that allows bears and other wildlife to move safely across the landscape. As the forest grows, it also strengthens wetlands, protects waterways, and supports the rich biodiversity that defines this region — from wading birds to crawfish and countless other species. Along the winding banks of Bayou Teche, the forest is coming back and with it, one of Louisiana’s most beloved residents. Once common across the bottomland hardwood forests of southern Louisiana, the Louisiana black bear nearly disappeared as wetlands were drained and forests cleared for agriculture and development. By the early 1990s, only about 200 bears remained in the wild. In 1992, the species was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Today, reforestation is helping write the next chapter of the bear’s recovery. Along this 125-mile waterway that winds through Cajun Country, the Arbor Day Foundation and local partners are planting 150,000 trees to rebuild critical habitat and reconnect forests that once stretched across the region.
Thanks to decades of conservation and habitat restoration, the Louisiana black bear was removed from the Endangered Species List in 2016 — a powerful reminder of what’s possible when people come together to restore nature. But the work isn’t finished. Each tree planted helps rebuild the forests wildlife depend on, giving this iconic species, and the ecosystems it calls home, room to thrive. Read the full story and learn more about the restoration along Bayou Teche at arborday.org/bayou-teche.