The Lacassane Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Land management, Environmental stewardship |
| Founded | 1929 |
| Founder | Group of eight businessmen including W. P. Weber and H. G. Chalkley |
| Headquarters | Lake Charles , United States |
Area served | Jefferson Davis Parish, Cameron Parish, Ragley (Louisiana) |
| Products | Land leasing, cattle grazing, hunting leases, oil and gas development, wetland mitigation, native seed propagation |
Number of employees | At least 8 (The Lacassane Club staff: manager, head guide, four guides, executive chef, wildlife biologist) |
The Lacassane Company specializes in land management with a strong emphasis on sustainable practices through an environmental stewardship program utilizing techniques such as holistic management. Based in Lake Charles, Louisiana, its primary operations are located within Jefferson Davis Parish and Cameron Parish, with supplementary holdings near Ragley, Louisiana.
History
Established in 1929 by a group of eight businessmen from Lake Charles, including W. P. Weber and H. G. Chalkley, the company initially acquired 21,000 acres at a cost of $380,000. This purchase included the Lowery and Illinois plantations, which became known as "The Lowery Plant" and "The Illinois Plant." Early business activities encompassed tenant farming, expanding cattle herds, trapping, hunting, leasing for oil and gas extraction, and wetland mitigation efforts. In 1937, the company sold 13,000 acres located south of the Illinois Plant to the U.S. Government for $51,774; this transaction resulted in the creation of the Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge.
Operations
The Illinois Plant functions as the Lacassane Coastal Prairie Mitigation Bank, while the property in Ragley is managed jointly with Ecosystem Investment Partners (EIP) under the name Bill Jackson Longleaf Savannah Mitigation Bank. Both sites hold designation as mitigation banks by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, delivering environmental mitigation services in accordance with the no net loss wetlands policy aimed at preserving biodiversity and controlling greenhouse gas emissions. The company partners with The Coastal Plain Conservancy to maintain conservation easements on its properties, with oversight provided by Wildlands, Inc.
Current activities include leasing land for waterfowl hunting and other recreational purposes, cattle grazing operations, harvesting alligator hides and eggs, oil and gas development, and wetland restoration projects. Water for irrigation is drawn through a pumping system linked to nearby waterways. The company is classified under SIC code 6519 (Lessors of Real Property, NEC) and NAICS code 531190 (Lessors of Other Real Estate Property).
Seed Propagation Project
In 2006, The Lacassane Company expanded its portfolio by acquiring Louisiana Native Seed Company, which focuses on native plant species such as Little Bluestem, Brownseed Paspalum, Florida Paspalum, Switchgrass, Partridge Pea, and Eastern Gamagrass. The firm employs consultants with backgrounds in agricultural science and botany and is recognized as a supplier to the United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service.
The Lacassane Club
The Lacassane Club, created in 2013 as a subsidiary entity of The Lacassane Company, occupies 14,000 acres out of the total 21,000-acre property. It provides membership options for both individuals and corporations interested in hunting activities. Facilities include a lodge, casitas, and a three-bedroom, two-bath residence known as Jed's Cabin. The club employs a professional team comprising a manager, head guide, four additional guides, an executive chef, and a wildlife management biologist specialized in zoology.