Land Trust for Louisiana’s Annual Meeting on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026 was a true celebration of conservation, community, and Carnival spirit. Held at the Covington Firehouse Event Center, the lively open house featured delicious food and a sampling of local king cakes, setting a festive tone as longtime friends and new supporters gathered to reflect on another impactful year for Louisiana conservation.
Among those celebrated were dedicated volunteers Bonnie Lewis and Penny Daigle, who joined Land Trust for Louisiana in 2005 and helped grow the organization from its early days into a statewide land trust with more than 15,000 acres conserved today. Bonnie shared fond memories of monitoring conservation properties in those early years, while Penny inspired attendees with heartfelt remarks on how she truly feels the presence of God in nature. Both women, along with fellow longtime volunteer Marsha O’Brien, are featured in the Volunteer Spotlight section of our 2025 Annual Report.
The evening’s guests included Land Trust board members, and friends from organizations like Wild Ones Pontchartrain Basin, Pelican Park Nature Club, Canoe & Trail Adventures and Northshore Riverwatch. Special guest Keri Lejeune, a herpetologist with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, delighted the crowd with three gopher tortoises.
These gentle reptiles are a keystone species in longleaf pine ecosystems, which once covered much of southeast Louisiana. By helping landowners take advantage of resources for restoring and managing longleaf pine, we are helping hundreds of plant and animal species that depend on this resilient, bio-diverse habitat. Restoration Program Manager Jacob Bopp shared that one of the biggest impacts of this work is witnessing the joy that landowners feel when quail return, wildflowers bloom, and healthy grasses thrive on their land — proving that good land stewardship is the gift that keeps on giving.
Guests left with a copy of our 2025 Annual Report, filled with stunning photography and stories of conservation impact from across the state. We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who attended and continues to help Land Trust for Louisiana protect the lands and waters that make this place so special. Each and every one of our members play a keep role in advancing this work, and we couldn’t do it without you.
