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Queen Bess Island Wildlife Refuge
Queen Bess Island, located near Grand Isle, holds historical significance for Louisiana’s state bird, the brown pelican. Pelicans ceased nesting in Louisiana in 1961 and by 1963 had virtually disappeared from Louisiana’s coastal wetlands primarily because of the now-banned pesticide DDT. In 1968, LDWF began a project to restore the species. From 1968 through 1976, brown pelican chicks were captured from Florida and relocated to coastal Louisiana, including Queen Bess Island. In 1971, 11 nests were documented on the tiny island, marking the first successful recolonization of brown pelicans in Louisiana.
For more information,
contact James Donovan at
jdonovan@wlf.la.gov or
504-284-5264.
In 2019, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission approved a resolution that converted Queen Bess Island to a Louisiana state wildlife refuge to enhance protection of the island, a vital waterbird colony that annually produces more than 4,400 nests. It is the fourth largest brown pelican rookery in Louisiana, producing 15 to 20% of the state’s nesting activity. It also provides nesting habitat for about 10 species of nesting colonial waterbirds, such as tri-colored herons, great egrets, and royal terns.
In February 2020, LDWF and the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority completed a project to restore the islands' available nesting habitat from 5 to 37 acres.
Refuge Details
Acreage
37 acres
Parish
Jefferson Parish
Owner/Manager
LDWF
Regulations
- Public access by any means to the exposed land areas, breakwaters, and areas between land and breakwaters is prohibited without a permit.
- Disturbing, injuring, collecting, or attempting to disturb, injure, or collect any flora, fauna, natural debris, or other property is prohibited without a permit.
- Littering on the refuge or in Louisiana waters or wetlands is prohibited.
Directions
You can access Queen Bess Refuge by boat from Grand Isle, Louisiana.