April 25, 2019 – In recognition of the unparalled conservation efforts of Edward Avery McIlhenny, his descendants at Avery Island were recently honored by several conservation organizations for his role in creating three wildlife refuges in Louisiana.
 
McIlhenny, who died in 1949, coordinated the donation of three large tracts of property deeded to Louisiana to be held in perpetuity as wildlife refuges, inlcuding State Wildlife Refuge, Marsh Island Wildlife Refuge and Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge. All three refuges are administered by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF).
 
The three refuges were aquired and donated to Louisiana between 1911 and 1919. State Wildlife Refuge was the first wildlife refuge in the U.S. privately donated for the public good. Together they encompassed nearly 175,000 acres at the time of donation.
 
McIllhenny’s work was applauded in a formal letter by the chairman of the Crocodile Specialist Group (CSG), the chair of the Species Survival Commission (SSC) and the director general of the Interational Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The McIlhenny family was represented by John E. Simmons, senior manager of the McIlhenny Company.
 
“The selfless dedication of Mr. McIlhenny and the McIlhenny family to natural resource conservation are an inspiration,’’ LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet said. “The wetlands preserved have been and will continue to be enjoyed by future generations. It is nearly incomprehensible that a family might make or secure such generous financial donations for the benefit of Louisiana’s wildlife.’’
 
The IUCN has 1,200 members, all non-profit organizations and state bodies. The SSC is a network of some 10,000 international science-based conservationists. The CSG has 622 members in 64 countries, all volunteers. IUCN is the world’s largest international conservation organization and the SSC is the knowledge-based driver of species conservation and management within IUCN.
 
These world renown conservation organizations recognize the profound importance of McIlhenny’s contributions and are hopeful other philanthropists might consider similar such generous donations in support of wildlife resources.
 
Louisiana, known as the Sportsman’s Paradise, and the wildlife species residing in its many varied habitats have greatly benefitted from the generosity of the McIlhenny family.
 
Pioneering American alligator research was conducted on these sites which has led to similar endeavors on crocodilians worldwide, many of which are critically endangered.
 
Numerous species, including waterfowl, furbearers, alligators and fish, have made these havens their home. The arboretum and gardens established by the McIlhenny family draw visitors world-wide to the region. International scientists and graduate students have conducted their studies on these refuges and knowledge gained has led to preservation and wise utilization of wildlife species of global importance.