Creole Nature Trail
Cheniers, LA

Along the Creole Nature Trail are wooded, sandy ridges that formed thousands of years ago through a combination of silt deposits from shifting river deltas and water currents from the Gulf of Mexico that carried and trapped these deposits, isolating strips of sandy beaches. Over time, these isolated or "stranded" beaches continued to build up and become ridges. The results are these cheniers which, because of their elevation above sea level, support the growth of hardwood trees such as live oaks. The word "chenier" is actually French for "oak tree."

The highest cheniers are barely more than ten feet above sea level, but this critical extra height makes settlement possible. Besides hunting and fishing, many residents make their living raising cattle. The cattle are allowed to graze in the marsh during the winter when the insects are few and then moved to the top of the ridge during the summer when insects fill the marsh.