The Barn is located at the Christwood Boulevard Campus and provides a sanctuary for both abandoned domestic animals and native Louisiana fauna that are non-releasable because of permanent injuries sustained in the wild.

For many, the most beloved facility on our campus is our unique Barn. Under the guidance of Margaret deLaureal, The Barn offers a safe and nurturing environment for children to observe and interact with animals and provides an appreciation and context for their place in the world.

Those in fifth grade and above have the unique opportunity of spending lunchtime at The Barn, among a variety of more than 25 native and domestic animal friends.

The Barn’s open-air classroom provides a nonlinear, interactive learning environment for all grade levels. The second grade visits The Barn weekly to learn about native flora and fauna, environmental conservation, and Louisiana wetlands through hands-on lessons.

The Barn is licensed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to operate as an educational facility.

The Barn provides permanent sanctuary to more than 25 animals, including a pelican, a barred owl and a screech owl, an American kestrel (small falcon), a Mississippi kite, and rabbits and ducks.