Walter B. Jacobs
Memorial Nature Park
Mission:
The Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park is dedicated to helping the citizens of Northwest Louisiana connect with nature by conserving a pine-oak-hickory forest for interpretation and recreation.
Vision:
The Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park is the recognized center for outdoor interpretation in northwestern Louisiana.
Located three miles west of Blanchard, the 160-acre nature park contains a pine-oak-hickory forest accessible by five miles of nature trails. The park has an interpretive building, a rentable pavilion with restrooms, a handicapped-accessible trail, and several naturalists who provide information and interpretation to park visitors. Nature oriented programs are available on an appointment basis.
Programs and Activities:
Park Naturalists offer a wide variety of programs, field trips camps, annual events, and more. Check the Nature Education page for more information and to see upcoming events.
Recent Posts
Floating pier at Earl G. Williamson Park temporarily CLOSED
July 30, 2026Safety first! The floating pier at Earl G. Williamson Park in Oil City is temporarily CLOSED to begin repairs to a bushing on the pier. The pier will remain closed until all repairs can be...
Caddo Youth Basketball Camp
July 10, 2026Caddo Parish Parks and Recreation will sponsor a two-day general skills and drills basketball camp, July 22-23, 2026, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, at LSUS, 1 University Pl, Shreveport, LA 71115, grades...
Robert Williams Basketball Camp
June 10, 2026Caddo Parish Parks and Recreation, in conjunction with Robert Williams of the Portland Trail Blazers, two-day general skills and drills basketball camp has been rescheduled for July 29 & July...
Recent Facebook Updates
We are at Grace Point Church of Nazarene Back to School Bash event. ... See MoreSee Less
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Remember to register for one of the sessions:
10:00 am-11:00 am or 11:00 am- 12:00 pm ... See MoreSee Less
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Sunday (July 26, 2026), members of the Louisiana Master Naturalist Northwest Chapter, led by Master Naturalist Board Member John Michael Kelley, explored the trails of Walter B. Jacobs Nature Center in search of one of Louisiana’s most elusive native wildflowers. The Three Birds Orchid (Triphora trianthophoros).
We are thrilled to report that several patches of this beautiful, rare orchid were found! Since the Three Birds Orchid blooms for only a brief time each year, spotting it is always a special event and a reminder of how important it is to protect healthy, mature forests like those at Walter B. Jacobs.
The Three Birds Orchid is just one of many botanical treasures that make our park so unique. Over the years, botanists have documented more than 600 species of plants at Walter B. Jacobs Nature Center, making it one of the richest botanical sites in Louisiana.
A heartfelt thank you to John Michael Kelly for sharing his knowledge and passion, and to everyone who joined the search. Every discovery reminds us why conserving special places like Walter B. Jacobs Nature Center is so important.
Lastly, please practice Leave No Trace! It helps protect rare plants like the Three Birds Orchid. Every wildflower plays an important role in the ecosystem, and picking flowers can prevent them from reproducing. Please enjoy these natural treasures with your eyes and camera, leaving them for wildlife and future visitors to discover.
Who knows what botanical treasure will be found next?
#WalterBJacobsNatureCenter #LouisianaMasterNaturalist #NativePlants #NativeOrchids #ThreeBirdsOrchid #Botany #LouisianaWildflowers #PlantConservation #NatureDiscovery ... See MoreSee Less
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We agree! What a fantastic Sunday Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park
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