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Walk Abouts – introductions to public sites in greater New Orleans to be explored by Master Naturalists of the New Orleans chapter.

These two hour educational sessions may include history of the site and other relevant details.  During the walk about, the biodiversity of the site can be observed.  Perhaps there will be a representative of the department that oversees the site who will provide pertinent details.  Of importance is that these short and informative educational sessions will count as educational hours towards one’s annual quota.

There are 3 walkabouts scheduled in November and December. 

On Sunday November 17th at 9 am, is a visit to a wooded lot on the University of New Orleans campus.  Modest in size, it is being converted into a native plants site.  The surrounding open spaces are being planted with native trees and shrubs.  Already a bird friendly site, this lot which has survived decades of US Navy and UNO development will be an oasis – a refuge for students and wildlife.  The host is Michele Mire. UNO Woodlot information.

On Sunday, December 15th at 10 am, is scheduled a visit to the New Basin Canal Park.  Located between the Pontchartrain Boulevard and the West End Boulevard, this park was once the site of the canal that ran from the lake to the business district. After Katrina, the open spaces were used to sort out and burn huge piles of debris.  Now the site is a brand new park with dozens of brand new trees.  The host is Nicole Greene.
 
And then six days later on Saturday, December 21st at 9 am is a visit to the West End Park located across from the Municipal Yacht Harbor.  The park was built almost a century ago to include a lagoon, rows of oaks and an arbor.  And on its west side, across a street is what was once the parking lot for a row of seafood restaurants located on pilings over the lake.  Now the eateries are gone so what is to become of the parking lot?  The host is Rebecca Stilling.

 

 These Walk Abouts are for members, spouses, friends and especially for potential recruits for the master naturalist program.   Children are welcome.  There is no fee for the event. 

To sign up for a Walk About, go to the Point Events page.  Once you sign up the host will contact you with info about the specific meeting site. 

Byron Almquist.               [email protected]                504 606-2207

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Please contact Eve Abrams directly with questions. [email protected]

On November 9th, from 6-9 pm, at Byrdie's Pottery (936 St. Roch Ave. NOLA 70117), join artist and Louisiana Master Naturalist Eve Abrams (Fall 2023) for the opening of her pottery show, "Essential Creatures."

This exhibition features intricate caterpillar sculptures and beautifully crafted plates and vases adorned with painted and carved caterpillars, moths, and butterflies. The artwork focuses on local species, especially those whose ecosystems depend on oak trees, a vital part of our region's ecology.

Through her art, Eve aims to inspire a greater appreciation for these often-overlooked creatures and encourage gallery visitors to protect and grow the native plants that these animals rely on for survival. The show invites us to recognize the importance of supporting our local ecosystems.

To enhance the experience, someone from a local native plant nursery will be present (with plants available!), a Master Naturalist will be available to talk about the animals featured in the pottery, and a selection of resource books will be on hand for those interested in learning more about how they can contribute to protecting our local wildlife.

Visitors can enjoy an evening of art, food, drinks, and meaningful conversations about our environment.

Essential Creatures
Date: November 9, 6-9 pm
Location: Byrdie's Pottery, 936 St. Roch Ave. NOLA 70117

 

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Join other Naturalists for a fun and educational weekend at Bogue Chitto State Park. Check out the event page to learn more. Register here.

Accommodations and Registration Fees
The registration fee is $40. The fee to sleep in the lodge (large dorms with bunk beds; indoor restrooms and showers) is an additional $10 for Friday and Saturday nights. This is optional - participants are free to make other arrangements. Registration grants access to any and all activities and meals throughout the weekend. Single-day tickets are not available.

 

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LMNGNO is participating in GiveNOLA Day this year.  Help us continue our work educating our members and the public about the environment. If you love nature as much as we do, please consider making a donation. 

What is GiveNOLA Day?
GiveNOLA Day, an initiative of the Greater New Orleans Foundation, is a one-day online giving event. For 24 hours, everyone who loves our region can support their favorite local causes by donating to one or more of 900+ participating nonprofit organizations. Since our first event in 2014, GiveNOLA Day has raised over $64.6 million for our region’s nonprofits. This year, we hope to do even more! 

When will GiveNOLA Day 2024 take place?
It will be from 12:00:01 a.m. to 11:59:59 p.m. on May 7, 2024. All event-related donations must be made online during the 24-hour period or during our scheduled giving period - April 23 through May 6.

Our community impact in 2023

  • Number of volunteers - 122
  • Number of events - 143
  • Volunteer hours - 4.46 k
  • Economic Impact - $137.75 k

To find out more visit our fundraising page.  

 

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BioBlitz and Community Nature Day on the Lafitte Greenway
May 10-12, 2024

 Learn more about nature and help your community! The Louisiana Master Naturalists and Friends of Lafitte Greenway are hosting a BioBlitz of the Lafitte Greenway and Community Nature Day on Saturday, May 11th. As a community, we will identify as many of the plants and animals that live on the Greenway as possible. There will be themed nature walks led by local experts throughout the day, as well as a nature-themed art project. All events are free and open to the public. All ages are welcome, and no prior knowledge or experience is necessary.

The Lafitte Greenway
The Lafitte Greenway is a 2.6-mile-long linear urban park that stretches from Mid-City to the French Quarter in New Orleans. The park, which was established in 2015, features sports fields and courts, playgrounds, exercise stations, a swimming pool, and a garden. A former brake tag station on the Greenway has been remodeled into an open-air event staging space with electricity and restroom, and a small, permanent stage has been installed nearby. The park also contains bioswales, bioretention areas, and large stretches of meadow that are marked by signs indicating, “Native meadow planting: Give nature a chance.” The Lafitte Greenway connects to Armstrong Park, Bayou St. John and is, at its most westerly point, less than half a mile from City Park.

What is a BioBlitz?
During a BioBlitz, people work together to find and identify as many species of plants and animals as possible in a specific area over a short period of time.

Purpose of the BioBlitz of the Lafitte Greenway
The purpose of the 2024 BioBlitz of the Lafitte Greenway is to document, for the first time, as many of the species living on the Greenway as possible. The data from the BioBlitz will help the Greenway’s managers plan the park’s natural and developed features, protect important habitats, and advocate for the Greenway’s importance. Submission of observations for the BioBlitz of the Lafitte Greenway will be accepted for three full days: Friday, May 10 through Sunday, May 12.

BioBlitz Session Schedule

Start End Topic Leader(s) Meeting point
9 AM 4 PM Aquatic macroinverte-brates (throughout the day) LMNGNO volunteers Greenway station
10 AM 12 PM Fungi Tres Fisher and Ann Plique Greenway station
10 AM 11:30 AM Tree session #1 Byron Almquist, Sean Duffy and Bill Van der Meer French Truck
10:30 AM 11:30 AM Native landscapes Emily Pontiff Greenway station
10:30 AM 12 PM Mosquitoes Rachel Denny French Truck
12 PM 2 PM Art project: Sun prints Courtney Egan Greenway station
12 PM 1 PM Butterflies and other day insects Sam Kanellos and Noah Hebert Lemann Pool
12:30 PM 2 PM Plants Matt Heron Greenway Station
2 PM 3:30 PM Tree session #2 Byron Almquist and Susie Allen Flour Moon
5 PM 6:30 PM French nature walk Maxime Bailleux and Marc Witham Flour Moon
5:30 PM 7 PM Mammals Rachel Denny Flour Moon
6 PM 8 PM Reptiles and amphibians Steve Stevens Greenway Station
7 PM 9 PM Bats Craig Hood Flour Moon
9 PM 10:30 PM Moths and other night insects Janna Wisniewski Flour Moon

*More sessions to be added. Check back for updates!

Download a printable schedule.

Who can participate?
All activities are free and open to the public. All ages are welcome (children should be accompanied by a guardian). No prior knowledge or experience is necessary. You do not need to pre-register for the nature walks or art project, just come to the designated meeting point at the start time.

What should participants bring?
We recommend wearing closed-toed shoes and sun protection and bringing water and a smartphone. It is a good idea to download iNaturalist in advance (see instructions below).

iNaturalist
Data will be tabulated using iNaturalist. Participants will be encouraged to download iNaturalist on their smartphones and post photos of the species that they observe to the project entitled “Lafitte Greenway BioBlitz 2024.”

You can learn how to download the app and create an account here: https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/getting+started

And learn how to make an observation here: https://vimeo.com/162581545

Those who opt not to use a smartphone will record their observations on paper data sheets.

Species identification
Participants will canvas the Greenway to find as many unique species of life as possible during the72-hour period. Although the emphasis will be on observing species and taking their photos (if possible), the LMNGNO will provide resources for identification including the iNaturalist and Seek apps, on-site experts, and a library of field guides during the main session on Saturday.

Participants will be welcome to search in any part of the Greenway, at any time, and for any types of life that they choose. However, participants can also join scheduled searches for specific types of life which will be led by local experts.

Have questions? Want to volunteer?
Contact Janna Wisniewski at [email protected].

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Sail Away on Lake Pontchartrain
New Orleans Community Sailing Center
May 18th 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Our previously schedule trip was postponed due to windy conditions on the lake. Note the new date - May 18th.

Join other Master Naturalists for a fun sail on the lake and earn 2 continuing education hours.

Sailing instructors from CSNOI will show us the ropes and explain how CSNOI impacts lives by providing accessible educational opportunities and the promotion of health on Lake Pontchartrain for all regardless of age, background, and abilities.

Suggested reading:

Cost is $32. Space is limited so sign up soon! You must sign up on Community Sailing's website and on POINT.

101 N Roadway St, New Orleans, LA 70124

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All,

Registration for Rendezvous 2024 is now open. See the state website for a link to register and hotel information. At the time of registration, you may also sign up for workshops, so it may be helpful to have the list of options on the website printed for your information. 

https://www.louisianamasternaturalist.org/rendezvous2024.html

Pay through Zeffy https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/af37cf13-54d9-44a0-9b1a-539726cc9c44

OR Mail check for $100 payable to Louisiana Master Naturalist Association to Martha Garner, 506 Plaza Village Drive, Lafayette, LA 70506

Rendezvous is a wonderful opportunity to explore the Northeast region of the state with fellow naturalists from all around Louisiana. The Northeast chapter has been working and planning to make this event a success for all. 

Janell Simpson, Secretary

Note: This event is open to dues paying members and those in training. At this time it is not open to "Friends of" members.

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Executive Committee Meetings 5:30 PM
LMNGNO Resource Room at STEM Library LAB
3011 N I 10 Service Rd E, Metairie, LA 70002
January 10, 2024
April 3, 2024
July 10, 2024
October 23, 2024
Board of Directors Meetings 5:30 PM
Open to all members in good standing
LMNGNO Resource Room at STEM Library LAB
3011 N I 10 Service Rd E, Metairie, LA 70002
January 17, 2024
April 10, 2024
July 17, 2024
October 30, 2024
December 4, 2024 (if needed)
General Membership Meetings
Social Hour begins at 5:30 PM.
Business meeting begins at 6:30 PM.
Feature Presenters to be determined.
Loyola University
Miller Hall Room 114
January 24, 2024 - Liz Sigler
April 17, 2024
July 24, 2024
November 13, 2024
Rendezvous 2024
April 12-14, 2024 Monroe Louisiana
Winter Gathering
October 11-13, 2024
Dates of Spring 2024 Workshops
Meet & Greet
January 12, 2024 6 - 8 PM
STEM Library Lab
Orientation
January 13, 2024 9 - 4 PM
Louisiana Nature Center
Bayou Sauvage Wildlife Refuge
January 20, 2024 9 - 3 PM
Urban Ecology-City Park
February 3, 2024 9 - 3 PM
Coastal Education and Research Facility (CERF - UNO)
February 24, 2024 9 - 3 PM
Northlake Nature Center
March 9, 2024 9 - 3 PM
Turtle Cove
April 6, 2024 9 - 3 PM
Elmer’s Island
April 19, 2024 10 AM - 4 PM
Grand Isle
April 20, 2024 9 - 3 PM
Jean Lafitte National Park
May 4, 2024 4 PM - 10:30 PM
Bayou Dupont Coastal Restoration site 9 AM - 3 PM
May 25, 2024
Closing STEM Library Lab
May 29, 2024

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Our quarterly general membership meeting will take place on Wednesday January 24, 2024. 

Loyola University - Room 205 Miller Hall (note the room # is different for this meeting only)

5:30 Social Hour and potluck (sign up link to follow); visit with Study Group leaders, collection of 2024 dues, 

6:30 Business meeting with certification of new members and presentation of the Donald Muir Bradburn Award to the winner from the Class of Fall 2023

7:00 Presentation by Liz Sigler (LMNGNO Class of Spring 2022) 
Title: Urban Bird Habitat and Environmental Education at the University of New Orleans

Parking instructions for the Loyola parking garage.

Carpool document is LINKED HERE - sign up to indicate your willingness to participate or your need for a ride. Check back in a few days to see if someone in your neighborhood has also signed up. 

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Walks in the Woods – Byron Almquist

Revised on November 21, 2023

Intent is to provide opportunities to increase nature observation skills, learn some history about an area and to how to identify native trees.  Six Walks are scheduled during coming months to local public lands.   All are scheduled on the second Sunday of each month except for February and April.  Meet time is 9 am with ending time about midday.  The pace is very leisurely with a stop for lunch.  Most often a handout is provided about the public land, trails and trees to be encountered.   To sign up for a Walk, send me a note along with your cell phone number that you are coming.  On Thursday night before the outing, I will send an email with driving directions and other pertinent details.

The walks are lead by Byron Almquist.
Class - fall 2013 - Percy Viosca awardee 2021       
[email protected]  

 Sunday November 12, 2023 Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge northeast of Covington.   The refuge is in the Pearl River Basin – a bottomland hardwood swamp located in a floodplain.  By the fall, the basin except for larger streams has dried out.  This means that explorers can walk on the floor of the floodplain – an experience not available most of the year.  Specifically, we will wander through a “gum” pond - stands of tupelo and cypress with water marks over our heads.

Sunday, December 10, 2023      Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge northeast of Covington.   The refuge is in the Pearl River Basin – a bottomland hardwood swamp located in a floodplain.  By the fall, the basin except for larger streams has dried out.  This means that explorers can walk on the floor of the floodplain – an experience not available most of the year.  Specifically, we will wander through a “gum” pond - stands of tupelo and cypress with water marks over our heads.

Sunday, January 14, 2024      City Park – how many species of native trees are there in this century old park?  The app “Picture This” has ided about 30 species of native trees.  Our intrepid crew of naturalists will seek to concur or disprove that number.  This Walk will involve convoying from the northwest corner to Gro Dat near I 610 to canvas the park’s natives in one day. 

Sunday, February 18, 2024    Northlake Nature Center east of Mandeville.   By having vehicles at two trailheads, our crew of explorers will connect trails seeking out a variety of habitats and the trees and shrubs that reside in them.  Intend to mosey through wetlands of cypress, upland forests of oaks and hickories and then the restored site of the long leaf pines.

March 10, 2024   Audubon Park – looking over fences, giraffes and horses will observe humans zigzagging from tree to tree.  Surprisingly, there is in the southeast corner of Audubon Park, about 35 native trees – perhaps more than anywhere else in greater New Orleans area including City Park.  This walk is in the area of the massive live oak, Tree of Life, and the maze. 

April 21, 2024   Bogue Chitto State Park north of Folsom.   Spring will have sprung by the middle of April in the park.  What will be in bloom or newly leafed out?   This venture may involve some off trail hiking – either out on a threatened peninsula or up the slopes to the white oaks on the forested bluffs which overlook the floodplain of the Bogue Chitto river.