In 1996 Viola and Joseph Womack entered into a conservation easement with the Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust creating the Valley Wild Wildlife Sanctuary. On this sanctuary, as with all sanctuaries protected by the Wildlife Land Trust, recreational and commercial hunting and trapping are strictly prohibited. In addition development and logging are permanently restricted.

The Valley Wild Wildlife Sanctuary is 40 acres in Frierson, Louisiana, twenty miles south of Shreveport. The gently rolling terrain was cleared for agriculture at one time, probably for pasturage and subsequently logged. Now the existing pine stand is mature. Water flow through the Caldwell Bayou is very slow, but it does flood during heavy rains.

The sanctuary provides safe haven for numerous birds and wildlife. Raccoons and squirrels, opossum and armadillos all call the sanctuary home, along with moles, groundhogs, skunks and beaver.

When Joseph Womack died in 2004, the title to the property passed through his will to WLT. That means WLT is responsible for all property taxes and maintenance costs for the property – every year, forever.  In addition periodic inspections are made to ensure that the wildlife habitat remains in good condition.  These inspections, plus the handling of any damage or destruction, cost heavily in professional staff time and travel expenses.

WLT has promised to keep this property as a sanctuary forever – and that promise will be kept.  If you can help with the cost of stewardship for this and the other properties WLT protects, please donate here.