Freewheel Foraging at Allen Acres

Imagine spending the weekend in a place where native shrubs and grasses thrive, and where you might encounter more species of butterflies and moths than you do people. If this sounds like your kind of escape, welcome to the woodland paradise of Allen Acres, a sprawling property featuring a bed and breakfast that stretches across 26 acres of meadow and prairie land in the tiny hamlet of Pitkin in western Louisiana.

A labor of love created by Dr. Charles Allen and his wife Susan, Allen Acres, which occupies land adjacent to the Kisatchie National Forest and Ouiska Chitto Creek, is an homage to the tallgrass Louisiana prairie that once dominated this corner of Louisiana. As a retired botanist and professor, Dr. Allen is a knowledgeable guide to the flora and fauna of Southwest Louisiana, and a passionate advocate for reestablishing the native Cajun prairie species that once stretched across some 9 million acres of coastal plain through Louisiana and Texas.

Over many years, the Allens have nurtured vibrant wildlife gardens that extend across every part of their property. By encouraging plant species native to the area, they’ve allowed a thriving ecosystem to bloom, bursting with vibrant flora such as swamp sunflowers, blue water leaf, hurricane lilies, and purple false foxglove, that attract hummingbirds and myriad insect species which feed off and pollinate the plant life. The property’s plant species number around 450 –– so, naturally, there is much for guests to discover at this charming destination in the heart of Vernon Parish. As for those aforementioned butterflies and moths, the Allens have documented more than 640 species on their property (and at last count, the human population of Pitkin numbered a little less than 600).

With a full roster of springtime classes and workshops on the calendar, Allen Acres invites  curious naturalists to heed the call of wildlife exploration. Basic Plant ID, a three-day workshop led by Dr. Allen, which is held multiple times over the course of the spring season, leads visitors on field trips to identify more than 200 species of herbaceous plants, shrubs, vines, trees, grasses, and ferns in their natural habitat. For those who (quite literally) enjoy hyper-local flavors, an Edible Plants class provides an opportunity to identify various of the region’s edible native species, and taste breads flavored with wild grains, and teas of specialized brews, made of specimens collected throughout the day.

After a day spent foraging and exploring, guests at Allen Acres are invited to settle into a porch rocking chair (where a pet or two might venture over for a pat on their head) for a spell, before heading inside for a restorative home-cooked meal. https://vernonparish.org/stay/bed-breakfast to learn more.