Land Trust for Southeast Louisiana
Acqusitions
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THE PRESERVE AT WHISKEY ISLAND Whiskey Island Preserve, L.L.C., the owners of this 478-acre property, are launching a conservation-based, low impact residential development, which is a relatively new concept for the Florida Parishes region. The property is located on the outskirts of Ponchatoula in Tangipahoa Parish, in an area of increasing development pressure. A focal point of the project design is to protect a contiguous swath of 80+-acres of wetlands on the property, as well as nearly 240 acres of cypress-tupelo swamp outside an existing ring levee that surrounds the development. |
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The two tracts of wetlands provide significant conservation benefits, including wildlife habitat, promoting water quality, and absorbing flood and storm water. Not only is part of the property adjacent to the Ponchatoula Creek, local scientists have identified the property’s cypress-tupelo forests as being some of the healthiest in southeast Louisiana. LTSL has signed a conservation servitude to protect the first 80+ acres located within the ring surrounding the development. Further discussions will be held to consider protecting the 240 acres of cypress-tupelo swamp. The name of the development, The Preserve at Whiskey Island, is derived from the successful bootlegging operation on the property during the Prohibition era. |
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Laurel Hill Plantation The 133-acre Laurel Hill Plantation preserve is located along Highway 61 in West Feliciana Parish. |
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The land owners’ desire to help protect and preserve the rural area prompted them to seek out preservation options. The purpose of the easement agreement between the land owners and LTSL is to restrict development of this valuable environment and maintain the rural character along the highway corridor. |