By Daniel Simmons

Nestled away in the woods in northwest Louisiana lies one of our state’s best-kept secrets, Briarwood Nature Preserve. Located just south of Saline, in northern Natchitoches Parish, about halfway between Natchitoches and Ruston, a stone’s throw from the Winn Parish line, the preserve has just as much to offer in history as it does in beauty of the flora and fauna.

Briarwood was the home of naturalist Caroline Dormon (1888-1971) who was a very influential conservationist. She was the first woman to be hired by the United States Forest Service. She also played a major role in the establishment of Kisatchie National Forest, which includes Briarwood but also covers a much larger area of northern Louisiana, Winn included. Dormon spent a large portion of her life at her home in Briarwood, observing and writing about nature.

One of the most famous attractions at the preserve is the Louisiana iris, a species created by Dormon. They come in many different colors and are a species of iris found only at the preserve. The irises are located in what is called the Bay Garden.

Coming up on October 26, the preserve will hold its bi-annual Tom Sawyer Day, a day where many local volunteers come out and help do work to keep the area in shape, and taking care of the Bay Garden is a critical part of the job. It needs to have weeds and invasive species removed to make the garden as clear as possible for the flowers. The bulbs also need to be rearranged and replanted. The irises bloom in April, and they are a sight to behold when in bloom, a very popular attraction among visitors.

Another fan favorite is “Grandpappy,” a pine tree that at one point held a Louisiana state record for tree height and tree diameter. Briarwood has never been used for timber harvesting, so the forest at the preserve is designated as an old-growth forest, one of very few remaining in the United States. Grandpappy has been estimated to be about 500 years old, and it is possible that it first began to grow even before Christopher Columbus arrived in America.

Shortly after Tom Sawyer Day, on Saturday, November 2, will be the annual plant sale fundraiser. The fundraiser was a success last year, as several people even ordered plants from out of state. “This year we are welcoming new vendors from across the state to have a more diverse variety of plants, seeds, and homemade items such as canned goods and art,” said Bayli Brossette, Curator of the nature preserve. “We are also in the process of getting a greenhouse, so we can propagate rare and endangered species native to North Louisiana. Briarwood is open for tours by appointment, all year. We also welcome volunteers at any time.”