Gratitude in Action | University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors Approves Naming of the Peter M. John and David M. John Wildlife & Coastal Preservation Center to Honor Brothers' Gift of Pecan Island School

When Hurricane Rita devastated Louisiana's coastline in 2005, the Pecan Island School was forced to close its doors after serving generations of students. What could have been the end of this community landmark's story instead became a new chapter when brothers Peter M. John and David M. John purchased the property in 2008 through their company, John Properties, LLC, as an investment in the appreciation of wildlife, conservation, and education.

Tuesday, September 2, 2025, the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors approved the naming of the Peter M. John and David M. John Wildlife & Coastal Preservation Center to honor the generous $1.4 million gift-in-kind, 39,000-square-foot facility the Johns have donated the to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where it will once again return to a place of learning.

The brothers spent years carefully renovating the 1960s-era school building, preserving original student artwork that still lines the walls, and transforming it into the Pecan Island School Lodge. Surrounded by some of Louisiana's premier hunting and fishing areas, the location has served as both a private retreat and a gathering place for community organizations.

Over the years, the Johns have welcomed former students who often return to show their children where they once attended school, underscoring the deep significance this building holds for the community, and its ongoing legacy.

Coastal preservation has long been a priority for the Johns. They have contributed to the Coastal Preservation Project at the nearby Rockefeller Refuge, helping enhance 6,000 acres of coastal marshland. The Johns are Ducks Unlimited Heritage Donors and have committed to a 10-year partnership with Parish Proud to provide branded bags for community initiatives.

​​"We hope this donation will help advance critical efforts to protect Louisiana's coastline and animal habitats for future generations," the Johns said. 

Since reopening the facility as the Pecan Island School Lodge, the brothers have allowed Pecan Island Ducks Unlimited to host its annual Opening Weekend Fundraiser there, an event that has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Louisiana coastal protection. They have also donated the use of the building to various schools and community groups, including LSU, UL Lafayette, Louisiana Youth Seminar, and the Episcopal School of Acadiana.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for us to expand our wildlife and coastal erosion research," said Dr. Jaimie Hebert, Provost for the University. "The lodging will attract visiting researchers from around the country. Thanks to the generosity of David and Peter, we can further expand our research efforts. We simply could not advance the study of coastal preservation without their generosity."

As Louisiana continues to face unprecedented environmental challenges, the Peter M. John and David M. John Wildlife & Coastal Preservation Center will serve as both a testament to the past and a beacon for the future, where education, research, and community come together.