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The first membership meeting of 2025 will be held on January 29, 2025 in Room 114 of Miller Hall at Loyola University. See map and parking directions. 

Thanks to Marianne Maumus for organizing our Pot Luck supper. Remember to bring your own reusable plate, cup, utensils to decrease our contribution to the waste stream. Those who bring food are entitled to 1 volunteer hour. The POTLUCK starts at 5:30 p.m., so bring your dish early to set up. We must fill out all the slot categories and then the slots as needed. Please review the available slots below and click the button to sign up. Here is the link. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0E4FAAAB2BA7F85-54475302-general

We have a long list of newly certified naturalists to recognize during the business meeting as well as our second cohort of invited naturalists. 

We look forward to seeing you all at the meeting. 

5:30 Potluck
6:30 Business Meeting
7:00 PM Speaker Richie Blink, Director of Delta Discovery Tours, Topic: 10,000 years on the Mississippi River Delta via Plaquemines Parish

Finally, look for an email from Tres Fisher, Vice-President, about Rendezvous, our state-wide gathering of Master Naturalists taking place on April 11-13, 2025 in Baton Rouge. 

Janell Simpson, Secretary

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The Louisiana Master Naturalists of Greater New Orleans invite you to our upcoming event: Walkabout: Wintering trees in Lafreniere Park
Date: Sunday, February 2, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM
Address: Lafreniere Park, 3000 Downs Blvd, Metairie, LA 70003. Meet in the parking lot of the Foundation Center, which is on South Scenic Drive just east of the Children’s Memorial Garden.

Open to: Certified members and Friends of LMNGNO (we ask that you have paid this year’s dues) and those undergoing certification. Children are welcome with a parent or guardian.
Cost: No cost to attend.
Agenda: In the park there are about forty species of trees with some twenty-seven being deciduous broadleaves. During the winter season there is an opportunity to look at these trees in their winter mode – bare profiles, buds, seeds, and leaf litter. Byron Almquist and Anna Hernandez will lead the group on a walk around the park, observing and identifying trees.
Hours: This activity counts for continuing education hours.
Bring: Dress to be outside and bring your favorite outdoor equipment (binoculars, notebooks, field guides, etc.), and water. There is a restroom on site.
Questions: Contact Byron Almquist at [email protected]
About Lafreniere Park: "Lafreniere Park was once one of the last pieces of large undeveloped acreage in East Jefferson, it has blossomed into a lush, thriving natural green space. With careful planning and vigilant nurturing for over three decades, the park now sports open green spaces, multiple use lawns, fountains, family picnic areas, hills, landscaped gardens, fishing, tot-lots, paths, trails, man-made ecological marsh environment, a championship Frisbee golf course, carousel, soccer, a conference center, and dog park. The marshes and gardens offer educators a wealth of native plant life to use as an aid for teaching students; the open spaces and family picnic areas are enjoyed by all." https://lafrenierepark.org/.

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Volume 20 of the LMNGNO Newsletter is out. Check out our new president's message and read about the recent Mississippi Delta Tour and more. Click the image below to read the newsletter. To view previous ones, click here. 

If you would like to volunteer as part of the newsletter team, WE NEED YOU! Contact Bill Van der Meer, editor. 

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LMNGNO Calendar of Meetings and Events for 2025

Download the calendar.

Executive Committee Meetings           5:30 PM
STEM Library LAB
3011 N I 10 Service Rd E, Metairie, LA 70002    

  • January 15, 2025
  • April 9, 2025
  • July 9, 2025
  • October 8, 2025

Board of Directors Meetings     5:30 PM
Open to all members in good standing
STEM Library LAB
3011 N I 10 Service Rd E, Metairie, LA 70002

  • January 22, 2025
  • April 16, 2025
  • July 16, 2025
  • October 15, 2025
  • December (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 29, 2025
  • April 23, 2025
  • August 6, 2025
  • October 22, 2025

LMNA State-wide Rendezvous 2025
April 11-13, 2025
Baton Rouge, LA

2025 LMNGNO Annual Gathering at Bogue Chitto State Park
October 24-25, 2025

Spring 2025 LMNGNO Workshop Dates

All workshops are from 9:00 – 3:00 unless otherwise noted

  • Orientation (two parts)
  • January 10 Pt 1 Social Hour- STEM Library Lab (6-8 PM)                          
  • January 11 Pt 2 Audubon Nature Center   (9:00 – 4:00 PM)                       
  • January 25 Bayou Sauvage    
  • February 8 City Park/Urban Ecology   
  • February 22 CERF
  • March 8 Northlake Nature Center
  • March 22 Turtle Cove   
  • April 25-26 Elmer’s Island/Grand Isle (two-day trip)
  • May 3 Jean Lafitte/Bayou Coquille Trail (4:00 – 10:00 PM)
  • May 24 Bayou Dupont
  • May 28 Closing – STEM Library Lab (6-8 PM)

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Happy fall! Please come to our final meeting for 2024 on November 13 at Loyola University in Miller Hall, room 114.  Our theme will be Thanksgiving Dinner.  Please prepare your favorite dish for the potluck social, which starts at 5:30 pm. You can receive a volunteer credit by bringing a dish and an educational credit for attending. Remember to come a little early so we are ready to serve at 5:30 pm. Please try to help us conserve paper products by bringing your own silverware, plate, and cup. 

 The link for SignUp  is 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0E4FAAAB2BA7F85-53030163-lmngno

 See you there!
Marianne Maumus

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The last Louisiana Master Naturalists of Greater New Orleans general membership meeting of 2024 will take place at Loyola University on November 13 in Room 114 of Miller Hall on November 13, 2024. Click for parking information. 

November 13, 2024
Room 114 Miller Hall 
Loyola University

5:30 PM Potluck (link to sign up will follow) 
6:30 Business meeting

  • Certifications of new Master Naturalists
  • Results of election for board members and officers
  • Spring 2024 Bradburn Award

7:00 Speaker: Nancy Newfield, 2024 Percy L. Viosca Award, "The Wonderful World of Hummingbirds."

Important Announcements:

  1. All LMNGNO members who have paid dues for 2024 will shortly receive an electronic ballot to vote for the slate of officers for 2025 and the 2027 cohort of Board Members. Please submit your ballot promptly. Thank you to all who vote.
  2. The Nature Store is running a SALE of LMNGNO merchandise. Order by 11/12/24 to pick up your items at the general meeting on 11/13/24.  Details of items on sale and link to order are HERE. 

Janell Simpson, Secretary

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Want to update your LMNGNO wardrobe?   LMNGNO offers a variety of logoed items on our online store including T-shirts, fish shirts, caps, bandanas and more. There are a limited number of older fish shirts marked down to $25.00 and some T-shirts for just $15.00. Get yours now before they are gone! 

Order by 11/12/24 to receive your goodies at the general meeting on 11/13/24. 

If you are unable to attend the meeting we can arrange pickup at the STEM Library Lab.

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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.