Robert (Bob) A. Thomas, Ph.D., Professor of Environmental Communication, herpetologist, Loyola University New Orleans – (rathomas@loyno.edu), w 504-865-2107, cell 504-909-6568
DATES & TOPICS FOR FALL 2019 COURSE The dates below are for the FALL 2019 course (sites and/or speakers may be adjusted). I & II. August 30 (3pm-10pm), 31 (9am-4pm + evening activities), September 1 depart by 11am - (NOTE: FRIDAY afternoon, SATURDAY all day, Sunday morning) – Orientation I & II – Fontainebleu State Park, Mandeville & Northlake Nature Center – ALSO NOTE: THESE ARE TWO (2) WORKSHOPS.
FRIDAY:
Introductions & getting to know one another
A short trail walk in Fontainebleu State Park to discuss how to look at nature – how and where to look
An evening walk at Northlake Nature Center to learn frog calls and see night critters
Assessment: reflections v. final test – what is your best choice?
Orientation to overall course and LMNGNO organization & communication
Blackboard
Listserv
Handouts
Evaluation
Pathway to certification
Brief overview of suggested equipment and their use
Binoculars
Field guides
Local experts
Others
Naturalists of Louisiana
Taxonomy & scientific/common names – our way of using them
Taxonomic lists and how to use them
How constructed
What we mean by commonly encountered species
The purpose of our Taxonomy Bank
How scientists talk (weasel words) and why
Thinking like a naturalist
SATURDAY:
Overview of basic natural history concepts
Andrew Barron – Basics of Naturalism, Overview of Geology
Michael Massimi replacement – Overarching Biological Concepts
Bob Thomas – Overview of plants and characteristics we use to the identify them
Educators: Andrew Barron, Bob Thomas, Dr. Aimée Thomas, and selected board members.
Coordinators: Dr. Bob Thomas, Dr. Janell Simpson, Carro Gardner & Chad Almquist.
III. September 13 – 4pm-10pm – Jean Lafitte National Park – How nature transitions from daylight to night: diurnal/crepuscular/nocturnal
Assessment of local water salinity and current weather In the field
How to walk trails and how to look at nature - each interpreter demonstrates what he/she does and why
Walking quietly
Speaking in soft tones
Moving slowly
Watching for movement, texture differences, shapes
Listening and recognizing sounds
Importance of the senses: touch, smell, etc.
Introduce the concept of seasonality, using local examples
Discuss the transect of habitats present
Indicator species - the concept & examples
Introduce concept of habitat specificity, and why there are exceptions
How does the presence of the spoil bank affect the distribution of species?
Re-enforce in the field terminology for exotic/invasive/introduced/native species/etc species & show examples
Insects - blacklight? Powerpoint posted
Spiders - Powerpoint posted
Frogs - information posted - discussion of how to find, define common groups, seasonality, vocalization; find and discuss specimens in the field
Bats - their presence, echolocation, and habits
Alligators - social behavior, tapedum lucidum eye shine
Debrief in Coquille parking lot
Educators: Dr. Bob Thomas, Zack Lemann, Dr. Craig Hood, & Dr. Aimée Thomas. Coordinator: Bob Thomas.
IV. September 27 - 9am-3pm – Turtle Cove Environmental Research Station -
Assessment of local water salinity and current weather – each habitat
Breakout groups
Intermediate marsh & its plants, galls on cypress trees, and loss of and research to restore cypress swamps
Aquatic macroinvertebrates (insects, spiders) and terrestrial invertebrates
Aquatic vertebrates
Interpretive boat ride to and from the research station
Optional pre- or post-workshop visit to Joyce Wildlife Area boardwalk – with guided learning handouts
Educators: Scott Eustis, Dr. Aimée K. Thomas, Tyrone Foreman, and Dr. Rob Moreau. Coordinator: Dr. Aimée K. Thomas.
V. October 4 – 9am-3pm – Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge –
How to walk trails and how to look - each interpreter demonstrates what he/she does and why
Walking quietly
Speaking in soft tones
Moving slowly
Watching for movement, texture differences, shapes
Listening and recognizing sounds
Importance of the senses: vision, hearing, touch, smell, taste (sometimes), etc
Assessment of local water salinity and current weather In the field (both the Ridge Trail and Joe Madere Marsh ecosystems)
How to look at trees & other plants
Ridge & freshwater plant assemblages
Mammals - emphasis on local species and those that are threatened and/or endangered
Water birds – basics of birdwatching, how to adjust your binoculars, use of field guides, seasonality in our bird fauna, etc.
Debrief at trailhead pavilion
Educators: Dinah Maygarden, Mark Meunier, Dr. Craig Hood, Sue Wilder, and Pon Dixon. Coordinator: Dinah Maygarden.
VI. October 18 – 9am-3pm – UNO/Coastal Education & Research Facility (CERF) –
Assessment of local water salinity and current weather
Brackish marsh plants
Blue crabs
Estuarine fish (seining or trawling)
Oysters
Ecology of the Pontchartrain Embayment
Debrief on dock outside at end of workshop
Educators: Dinah Maygarden, Carol Franzen, Alex Ameen, Tyrone Foreman, Chad Almquist, and Scott Eustis. Coordinator: Dinah Maygarden.
VII. October 25 – 9am - 3pm – North Shore (Northlake Nature Center) –
Habitats, creatures and plants of NNC
Snake, how they work, and how that effects their interaction with nature
Breakout topics
Characteristics of an upland forest and its common species
Pine flatwoods, longleaf pines and their recovery
Beaver Pond ecosystem
How to identify trees
Debrief at woodland amphitheater
Educators: Rue McNeill, Dr. Chris Reid, Fred Mattingly, Bob Thomas, and others. Coordinator: Rue McNeill.
VIII & IX. November 8 (10am-4pm) & 9 (9am-4pm) - (NOTE: FRIDAY & SATURDAY) – Grand Isle & Elmer’s Island – ALSO NOTE: THESE ARE TWO (2) WORKSHOPS.
Assessment of local water salinity and current weather – each site visited
Bird biology
Land birds, migration discussions (Grand Isle)
Beach and marsh birds (Elmer’s Island)
Geomorphology of barrier islands and their beaches & lagoons
How beaches wax and wane (ridges & runnels)
How to be a naturalist in the dunes - respecting the habitat
Beach plants - adaptations that allow them to live there
Salt marsh
Brackish marsh
Maritime forest
How does the presence of roads affect the distribution of plant species?
Breakout groups for birding (still TBD)
State park
Grilletta Tract & Bobby Santini home
Landry/LeBlanc Tract and others nearby
Breakout groups on beach
Beach front
Life in the swash zone
Beach and beach wrack goodies - how to be a beachcomber
What lives where, and why
How does animal life differ on the beach & in lagoons?
Thixotropy
Dunes and plants
Formation
Structure
Plant species and why they are there
Value and importance
Lagoon zone
What are lagoons and why are they where they are?
Critters of the lagoon zone; what are specific and what wide-spread
Plants of the back dunes
Bird use of lagoons
Washovers
Free time on beach after conclusion of breakout groups
Birding, more plant exploration, more beachcombing
Educators: Dr. Bob Rogers, Dr. Erik Johnson, Andrew Barron, Bob Thomas, and others. Coordinators: Ann and Bob Rogers.
X. November 22 – 9am-3pm – Urban Ecology – City Park (Couturie is pronounced cō-tour-ē-ā – 4 syllables, 1st, 3rd, and 4th vowels long)
Assessment of local water salinity and current weather – several habitats
Restoration of an urban park & its forest decimated by Hurricane Katrina
Plant succession - story of where City Park is in its succession -
What are seral stages?
What is the climax seral stage?
What will help it or prevent it from happening?
Chinese Tallow management program & why it is happening here
Invasive concerns and why we need to understand its relevance
Terminology for exotic/invasive/introduced/true natives/etc species & give examples
Bayou St. John restoration and projects
Couturier Forest & Trail – values
Rain gardens and their values in NOLA
Water management issues in City Park
Possible canoe adventure
Educators:Michael Massimi and others. Coordinator: HilairieSchackai.
XI. December 6 – 9am – 3pm – Overview of coastal restoration challenges (Bayou Dupont Wetland Restoration Project in the Spring and Hermitage Restoration Project in the Fall) –
Morning session at Belle Chase Library
30 minute drive to restoration site(s)
Boat ride to Lake Hermitage; drive and walk to Bayou Dupont site
Coastal wetland loss
Controversies – pumping vs. diversions – or both and more!
2017 Louisiana Coastal Restoration Plan
Coastal wetlands restoration
Identification and discussion about seral stages of plant arrivals
Educators: Barry Richard, Andrew Barron. Coordinators: Andrew Barron.
XII. December 11 – 5:30pm-9pm – NOTE: WEDNESDAY - Closing session – Loyola University, Communication/Music Complex (corner of St. Charles Avenue & Calhoun Street), Room 304 (3rd floor).
Closing exam – possibly given on blackboard or emailed
Draw together information – connect the dots
Turn in loaned books
Critique – roundtable
Food and drink
Led by Leadership Team, certified LMNs, & LMNGNO board members. Coordinators: Leadership Team.
FOR ALL COURSES: Keep in mind that the educational program will include being outdoors, walking (up to a couple of miles on some trips), and engaging in activities to observe nature. Dress will always be what is appropriate for each trip – always casual.
Participants will supply their own transportation unless group arrangements are made; carpooling is encouraged – it is environmentally friendly and participants enjoy the fellowship and conversation. Participants need to be well equipped and supplied for fieldwork. Suggestions to be well equipped include:
Food for lunch and snacks
Water bottle (we would appreciate your using refillable bottles)
Sunscreen if needed
Insect repellent (we will make suggestions)
Binoculars – decent to good quality will enhance your enjoyment
Appropriate field guides for your special interests; leaders will always have communal field guides to share
Camera
Pencil and/or pen and journal
Hand lens/magnifier loupe (useful) – we give you one
We will provide:
A dynamic agenda
All the presentations with excellent educators
Use of field guides specific to the focus or area
Special equipment needed to sample the flora and/or fauna
Posting of any slides and the like on blackboard (we will explain this in the orientation meeting)
