DEALING WITH THE COVID-19 ANOMALOUS PERIOD: This fall, our class will be what is called “hyflex” in the university world. That is, we will combine in-person field experiences, assigned readings, live zoom presentations, and some recorded zoom presentations. For your convenience, all of these will be posted on Canvas, the “Learning Management System”. We know this will give you a great experience and launch into the study of local natural history, and it will allow you the freedom to move at your own pace and 2) to review your zoom lectures.
The Louisiana Master Naturalist of Greater New Orleans program (LMNGNO) exists to advance awareness, understanding, and stewardship of the natural environment of the Greater New Orleans area by developing a corps of well-informed citizen volunteers dedicated to conservation education and service within their communities.
STEPS TO BECOME A CERTIFIED LOUISIANA MASTER NATURALIST: To become a certified Louisiana Master Naturalist, a participant must fulfill the following:
Register for a course and attend at least 7 of the 9 formal training workshops that combine field and classroom instruction, as well as the two orientation and single closing gatherings. We strongly encourage attendance at all 9 workshops plus orientation (2 sessions, which are now strongly instructive and not simply orientation) and closure.
Meet the assessment criteria: a) Write at least 5 reflections about LMNGNO training sessions, receiving a minimum score of 80% overall according to a published rubric; OR b) pass a multiple-choice take-home test covering the topics of the workshops with a minimum score of 80%.
20 hours of approved volunteer service completed within six months following the course's closing session; LMNGNO allows that volunteering be done in virtually all venues where natural history support is needed, such as state agencies, parks and refuges, schools, scouts, nature/environmental centers, nature programs of not-for-profits, summer camps, etc.
8 hours of continuing education (beyond the workshops) by the same date.
$25 annual dues are paid – these are included for the first year in your registration fees.
Bingo: certification is awarded!!!
BENEFITS OF BECOMING A CERTIFIED LOUISIANA MASTER NATURALIST ARE:
Learning about the ecosystems present in Louisiana and the flora and fauna that inhabit them;
Becoming part of a network of people who are passionately interested in Louisiana’s natural history, how it functions, and how to protect it;
Understanding the interconnections among our flora and fauna and the well being of our ecosystems, economic foundation, and cultural communities.
Having ample opportunities to continue the expansion of your knowledge on Louisiana natural history.
The Fall 2020 Course is the 16th certification program offered to the public by LMNGNO. We now hold two courses per year, one each spring (workshops scheduled mainly on Saturdays) and one in the fall (workshops scheduled mainly on Fridays). ONCE CERTIFIED, LMNs MUST DO THE FOLLOWING TO MAINTAIN CERTIFICATION:
Volunteer a minimum of 20 hours of approved volunteer service each year,
Attend at least 8 hours of approved continuing education training each year,
Robert (Bob) A. Thomas, Ph.D., Professor of Environmental Communication, herpetologist & tropical ecologist, Loyola University New Orleans – (rathomas@loyno.edu, w 504-865-2107, cell 504-909-6568), Certified Louisiana Master Naturalist.
DATES & TOPICS FOR FALL 2020 COURSE The dates below are for the FALL 2020 course (sites and/or speakers may be adjusted). In general, the workshop weeks will entail the following:
a bit of reading to acquaint you with the topics covered
one or more zoom presentations, live and/or recorded – times to be assigned
field work to our favorite nature places (times and places given below)
I & II. August 28 (9am-2pm) – Orientation – Audubon Park, across from Loyola University. NOTE THAT THIS IS TWO WORKSHOPS – you have a lot of prep work so you get credit for outside work equivalent to your field work.
Introductions & getting to know one another
A short trail walk in Audubon Park to discuss how to look at nature – how and where to look
Assessment: reflections v. final test – what is your best choice?
Orientation to overall course and LMNGNO organization & communication
Canvas (our software for posting relevant information for workshops)
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
Thinking like a scientist: How scientists talk (weasel words) and why.
Thinking like a naturalist: How to read nature.
BEFORE THE OUTING:
Overview of basic natural history concepts
Andrew Barron – Basics of Naturalism, Overview of Geology, and Overarching Biological Concepts
Bob Thomas – Overview of plants and characteristics we use to identify them
Educators: Andrew Barron, Certified Louisiana Master Naturalist (CLMN); Bob Thomas, CLMN; Dr. Aimée Thomas, CLMN; and selected board members. Coordinators: Dr. Bob Thomas, CLMN; Dr. Janell Simpson, CLMN; Joelle Finley, CLMN; Carro Gardner, CLMN; and Chad Almquist, CLMN. III. September 11 – 4pm-10pm – Jean Lafitte National Park – How nature transitions from daylight to night: diurnal/crepuscular/nocturnal NOTE: There are no bathrooms available on the Bayou Coquille trail
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, CLMN; Zack Lemann; Dr. Craig Hood; & Dr. Aimée Thomas, CLMN. Coordinator: Bob Thomas. IV. September 25 - 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
BEFORE THE OUTING:
A live zoom meeting orienting you to the Turtle Cove Environmental Research Center by its director, Dr. Rob Moreau.
Educators: Scott Eustis, CLMN; Dr. Aimée K. Thomas, CLMN; Tyrone Foreman, CLMN; and Dr. Rob Moreau. Coordinator: Dr. Aimée K. Thomas. V. October 9 – 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
BEFORE THE OUTING:
We will have a live zoom meeting to share some of the topics we will cover in the field.
Educators: Dinah Maygarden, CLMN & 2020 Percy Viosca Outstanding Naturalist Awardee; Mark Meunier, CLMN; Dr. Craig Hood; Sue Wilder; and Pon Dixon. Coordinator: Dinah Maygarden. VI. October 23 – 9am-3pm – North Shore (Northlake Nature Center) –
Habitats, creatures and plants of NNC
Snakes, 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 northshore trees
Debrief at woodland amphitheater
BEFORE THE OUTING:
We will have a live zoom meeting to discuss orientation and the posted publication “A Naturalist Crosses the Lake.”
Educators: Rue McNeill, CLMN; Dr. Chris Reid; Fred Mattingly; Bob Thomas, CLMN; and others. Coordinator: Rue McNeill. VII. November 6 – 9am - 3pm – UNO/Shea Penland Coastal Education & Research Facility (CERF) –
Assessment of local water salinity and current weather
Brackish marsh plants
Blue crabs
Estuarine fish (seining or trawling)
Ecology of the Pontchartrain Embayment
Canoeing activity is part of the marsh field work
Debrief on dock outside at end of workshop
BEFORE THE OUTING:
You will watch a recorded discussion of the geology and ecology of Lake Pontchartrain by Carol Franzen, Sea Grant Specialist.
We will have a live zoom meeting for orientation.
Educators: Dinah Maygarden, CLMN & 2020 Percy Viosca Outstanding Naturalist Awardee; Carol Franze; Tyrone Foreman, CLMN; Chad Almquist, CLMN, and Scott Eustis, CLMN. Coordinator: Dinah Maygarden.
VIII & IX. November 20 (10am-4pm) - (NOTE: FRIDAY OUTING) – Grand Isle & Elmer’s Island – ALSO NOTE: THESE ARE TWO (2) WORKSHOPS. AS WE DID FOR ORIENTATION, YOU EARN 2 WORKSHOPS DUE TO MORE PREP TIME BEFORE THE FIELD WORK.
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?
Regional habitats
Salt marsh
brackish marsh
maritime forest
Lagoons
Faunal and floral differences/similarities
How used by fauna
How they function in the ecosystem
Washovers: harm vs. healing
Invertebrates
Basic identification of shells on the beach
life in the swash zone
life on the upper beach
beach wrack goodies - how to be a beachcomber
how does animal life differ on the beach & in lagoons?
thixotropy
Free time optional on beach after conclusion of breakout groups
Birding, more plant exploration, more beachcombing
BEFORE THE OUTING:
You will have 4 zoom presentations before the outing.
There will be a couple of powerpoint slide shows and lists to puruse.
Educators: Dr. Bob Rogers, CLMN; Dr. Erik Johnson; Andrew Barron, CLMN; Bob Thomas, CLMN; and others. Coordinators: Ann (CLMN) and Bob Rogers (CLMN). X. December 4 – 9am-3pm – Urban Ecology – New Orleans City Park (Couturie is pronounced cō-tour-ē-ā – 4 syllables, 1st, 3rd, and 4th vowels long). The following activities have been shared in the past, and the workshop is currently being revised.
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
Couturie Forest & Trail – values
Rain gardens and their values in NOLA
Water management issues in City Park
Possible canoe adventure
BEFORE THE OUTING:
You will have several zoom presentations to watch.
XI. December 11 – 9am – 3pm – Overview of coastal restoration challenges (Bayou Dupont Wetland Restoration Project in the Spring and Lake Hermitage Restoration Project in the Fall) –
Gather in the morning at the 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
A multiple choice exam covering all field outings and lecture content will be emailed on this date. You are welcome to consult your field journal and lecture notes while you take the exam online. It must be submitted (Online) by 5 pm on the day of the closing meeting.
Only those who choose to NOT write reflections are required to take the exam. BEFORE THE OUTING:
You will view a live zoom presentation on coastal restoration
Educators: Barry Richard, Andrew Barron, CLMN. Coordinator: Andrew Barron.
XII. December 16 – 5:30pm-9pm – NOTE: WEDNESDAY - Closing session – Site and format to be discussed).
Draw together information – connect the dots
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 (but use your own judgement during the Covid-19 era) – 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 Canvas (we will explain this in the orientation meeting)
