donate to briarwood nature preserve

Briarwood Nature Preserve is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and sharing the legacy of Caroline Dormon—botanist, author, conservationist, and the first woman hired in the U.S. Forest Service. We rely on donations from individuals, families, and organizations to continue our work in conservation, education, and stewardship.

Your support helps us:

Maintain and protect rare native plant habitats
Offer environmental education programs to children and adults
Restore and preserve historical landscapes, like the Bay Garden
Provide access to outdoor experiences for local communities and schools

All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

Tax ID: 23-7132458

Office Address: 107 Broadmoor Shopping Center, Natchitoches, LA, 71457

One-Time or Monthly Gifts

Every gift makes a difference. You can donate securely online or mail a check to:

Caroline Dormon Foundation
107 Broadmoor Shopping Center
Natchitoches, LA 71457

Set up a recurring monthly gift to help us plan long-term projects with confidence.

Honor & Memorial Gifts

Celebrate someone special by making a gift in their honor or memory. A personalized acknowledgement can be sent to the honoree or their family upon request.

Bequests & Planned Giving

Leave a lasting legacy. By including Briarwood in your will or estate plans, you help ensure the preservation of this irreplaceable landscape for generations to come.

Sample bequest language:

"I give to Briarwood Nature Preserve, a nonprofit organization located in Saline, Louisiana, the sum of $___ (or ___% of my estate) to be used for its general purposes."

We recommend consulting with your attorney or financial advisor when planning your gift.

In-Kind Donations

We also welcome donations of tools, gardening supplies, educational materials, and services that support our work. Please contact us to discuss current needs.

Corporate Sponsorships & Matching Gifts

Many companies offer matching gift programs or sponsorship opportunities. Ask your employer if they’ll match your donation, or contact us about partnering through your business.

Whether you give $5 or $5,000, your contribution directly supports the land, plants, and people who make Briarwood so special. Thank you for helping us continue Caroline Dormon’s mission.

Projects You Can Support

Field Trips

Not every child gets the chance to explore the woods, hear frogs sing, or hold a magnolia leaf in their hands. Your donation helps us welcome school groups—especially from rural and underserved communities—to experience the wonder of Briarwood.

Gifts support educational supplies, lunches, and guided experiences that align with Louisiana curriculum standards. For many students, it’s their first time in the forest. You can help make it one they’ll never forget.

Give the gift of nature. Sponsor a field trip today.

Research

Briarwood is more than a preserve—it’s a place where new knowledge takes root. Your donation helps fund research that protects Louisiana’s rare plants, restores native habitats, and deepens our understanding of the natural world.

Gifts support field equipment, student research stipends, data collection, and habitat monitoring across our 212-acre living laboratory. By supporting research at Briarwood, you’re helping to preserve biodiversity, train future scientists, and carry Caroline Dormon’s vision into the next generation.

Invest in discovery. Support research at Briarwood.

Restoration

Nature is resilient—but sometimes it needs our help. In 2019, a devastating tornado tore through Briarwood, damaging trails, toppling trees, and altering delicate ecosystems. Your donation helps us restore these impacted areas while continuing our broader mission of habitat restoration across the preserve.

Gifts support the replanting of native species, removal of invasive plants, repair of trails and boardwalks, and the revitalization of historic gardens like the Bay Garden.

Help us heal the land. Restore what the storm took, and protect Louisiana’s natural legacy for generations to come.

The Briarwood Nature Preserve Synagogue

Briarwood runs on passion—but we still need hands to do the work. With only one full-time staff member, part-time help is essential to keeping the trails clear, gardens thriving, and programs running smoothly.

Your donation helps us hire seasonal and part-time workers to assist with maintenance, restoration, educational programming, and daily operations. These roles are vital to protecting the preserve and welcoming visitors year-round.

Support the people who care for the place. Donate toward our part-time team.

The Briarwood Nature Preserve Observatory

The Briarwood Nature Preserve Observatory is a modern observatory that offers stunning views of the night sky. It is a great place to learn about astronomy and stargaze.

The Briarwood Nature Preserve Canal

The Briarwood Nature Preserve Canal is a historic canal that was once an important transportation route for goods and people. It is now a popular spot for boat tours and leisurely walks.