LNF Mission
“The mission of the Louisiana Nutria Rodeo is to protect and preserve South Louisiana’s wetlands by turning the fight against invasive nutria into a community celebration that raises awareness, supports conservation, and strengthens the local economy.”
Conservation, Community, Culture.
About
LNF
Why Nutria Fest
Nutria may look harmless, but these swamp rodents are one of the biggest threats to Louisiana’s wetlands. Every day, a single nutria eats nearly a quarter of its weight in plants—not just the leaves, but the roots that hold marsh soil together. This leaves behind big muddy patches called “eat-outs,” which quickly wash away with the tides. This results in faster land loss, weaker levees, and disappearing habitat for the fish, birds, and wildlife that make Louisiana’s coast so rich and unique. In 2002, Louisiana launched the Coastwide Nutria Control Program to reduce nutria damage to wetlands. It works as an incentive bounty system: hunters and trappers are paid a cash reward (currently $6 per nutria tail) for every nutria they harvest.
Each year, participants remove hundreds of thousands of nutria, helping protect marshlands from further destruction. Nutria can be legally hunted or trapped year-round with the proper licenses. Many hunters treat it like a sport, and the state encourages harvests as a form of ecological protection. The Louisiana Nutria Fest is a part of the fight to protect the wetlands. Every nutria harvested means stronger marshes, healthier wildlife, and a safer Louisiana coast. When you join the festival, you are enjoying Cajun culture and helping save a way of life.
LNF Purpose
The primary goal is to reduce nutria populations, since nutria are invasive rodents that devastate Louisiana’s marshes by eating the roots that hold wetland soil together. By encouraging locals and visitors to hunt nutria, the rodeo helps protect fragile marshland, which serves as a buffer against hurricanes, sustains fisheries, and supports wildlife. The event educates the public about the nutria problem and the importance of coastal preservation. Through competitions, displays, and side events (like the nutria cookoff or nutria toss), it turns a serious ecological issue into something engaging, accessible, and culturally relevant. The festival draws hunters, families, and tourists to Venice, LA, and surrounding areas, contributing to the spending of food, lodging, fuel, and supplies. It also celebrates South Louisiana’s resilience and culture by blending conservation with community festivities, reinforcing local pride in protecting coastal heritage. While the event itself is relatively small compared to the statewide Coastwide Nutria Control Program, it complements it by motivating participation in nutria harvesting and showing the community the benefits of the bounty system.
LNF History
The Louisiana Nutria Fest is a beloved tradition that has drawn visitors from around the globe with a history that goes back decades. Hosted by our long-time partner, Venice Marina, the festival celebrates the unique culture and spirit of Louisiana’s coast. In 2025, National Geographic photographer Aaron Huey joined his friend Nathaniel Rich of Harper’s Magazine to experience the Nutria Rodeo firsthand. Together, they produced a stunning cultural feature for the 175-year-old publication, shining a national spotlight on our festivities. Over the years, our social media presence has reached millions of curious onlookers, growing stronger and more vibrant with each season.
The Rat Pack
Every great movement needs a fearless crew. Meet the Rat Pack Leadership Team — the driving force behind Louisiana Nutria Fest. They’re the strategists, the doers, and the bayou believers leading the charge to defend the Delta, celebrate Cajun culture, and throw one legendary festival. These are the faces behind the mission.
Event Guru
Robbie Carter
Classic Fishing Events Owner; LNF Event Director
Creative Guru
Gretchen David
GDDS Principal & Creative Director; LNF Creative & Strategy
Director
Logistic Guru
Brett Ryan
Professional Offshore Captain; Owner Waypoint Charters: LNF Logistics Director
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