Brief History


The Northlake Museum and Nature Center, Inc. was established in 1982 by as a project of the Greater Covington Junior Service League as an independent non-profit corporation directed to preserve, study, and publicly exhibit the natural and cultural resources of the Florida Parishes in southeastern Louisiana.

In 1985, the Northlake Museum and Nature Center, Inc. entered into a 50-year lease with the State of Louisiana for a 52 acre tract of land situated along Bayou Castine on Highway 190 east of Mandeville across from Fontainebleau State Park, just 45 minutes from New Orleans. Situated in the heart of St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, it is also adjacent to Pelican Park Sports Complex and the new Rails-to-Trails path.


Boardwalk across Beaver Pond

The Experience


The Center offers visitors the opportunity to experience three different ecosystems: hardwood forest, pine-hardwood forest and pond-swamp. The ponds in the cypress swamp area are the result of beaver dams and a beaver lodge is visible from one of the centers raised boardwalks. Interpretive signs and an outdoor classroom north of the pond enhance the visitors experience of the facilities. The site has recently been expanded to 400 acres. Click here to see a detailed map of the newly expanded Center.
In addition to the outstanding natural features of the site, areas of cultural interest include the site of an archaeological survey yielding evidence of a 700-year-old Acolapissa Native American population and the ruins of a clubhouse for the never-finished golf course of Louisiana Governor Richard W. Leche, who went to prison in the sensational scandals of 1939.
The site is used for environmental education programs, hiking, and other nature activities by members and the public. Completed in April 1998 is a 20' X 30' open-air pavilion overlooking the Beaver Pond. The pavilion will be available for group activities, picnics and individual relaxation.

Vision and Mission Statement
Board of Directors and Staff

Fast Facts

Nature Center Hours:

 Dawn to Dusk, 365 Days a Year

Admission Fee:

 Free (Fee-based activities and guided nature walks.)
Location: The Nature Center is located on U.S. Hwy. 190, across from Fontainebleau State Park, on Bayou Castine, just a few minutes east of Mandeville.
Organization: The Northlake Nature Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.

Activities
On-Site and Outreach Programming
© 2000 - Northlake Nature Center, Inc.
P.O. Box  8511, Mandeville, Louisiana  70470