Registration is limited and required! Please register at:
https://pelicanpark.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=2961
The Turtle Cove Environmental Research Station is a field research and educational/outreach facility of Southeastern Louisiana University located in the Lake Pontchartrain estuarine ecosystem.
Because of its location at the upper end of this major estuary, Turtle Cove is within one hour by boat of various wetland environments and their aquatic counterparts. These environments range from entirely fresh to moderately saline environments and include bottomland hardwood forests, bald cypress swamps, and fresh and intermediate marshes.
Moreover, each of these habitat types exists in relatively undisturbed, degraded, and restored states, thus facilitating comparative research. Because of its unique location and characteristics, this facility complements other field stations in the state and across the nation.
Turtle Cove is pleased to offer exciting and educational field experiences for 3rd – 12th grade students, university classes, and other community groups interested in wetland and aquatic sciences, as well as the environmental history and issues related to coastal wetland loss in Louisiana.
What’s included in a field trip?
1. An orientation lecture on wetlands ecosystems, environmental issues, coastal wetland loss, and the history of Turtle Cove
2. A pontoon boat ride down Pass Manchac to Lake Pontchartrain and the Turtle Cove Environmental Research Station
3. Guided boardwalk tour at Turtle Cove including plant identification, dip netting, and water quality sampling activities
Various aspects of wetlands ecology and environmental science are discussed during field trips, including baldcypress swamp and marsh restoration, plant and animal adaptations to the wetland environment, and the many environmental problems (and their solutions) of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin.
Students may expect to see a variety of wildlife, including alligators, birds, nutria, snakes, and fish as well as the various wetland plants that support these animals.
Directions:
1) Between LaPlace and Hammond on I-55, take Exit 15 towards Manchac.
2) Turn right (south) onto Hwy 51 (the “low road,” also labeled as “Frontage Road”). Pass Middendorff’s Restaurant on your left.
3) Cross the bridge over Pass Manchac.
4) After the bridge, travel about 1/4 of a mile and you’ll see a road sign for “Southeastern Turtle Cove ERS” directing you to turn left onto a road that crosses over the railroad tracks (it’s the second left possible after coming off the bridge)–the canal you see in front of you is Galva Canal. Stop and look both ways as you approach and cross the railroad tracks.
5) After crossing the tracks, turn right immediately (don’t be fooled by the “Turtle Cove Club” sign on one of the local boatsheds right there across the tracks—that is not us). This road curves and takes you to a yellow iron-pipe gate.
6) Enter into the LDWF Manchac Wildlife Management Area/Southeastern Turtle Cove Boat Shed Area at Galva Canal.
7) Continue 100+ yards from the gate until you come to the far section of the parking lot—the Southeastern/Turtle Cove section of the property marked with the large “Turtle Cove Environmental Research Station” sign hanging on the upstairs classroom over the boat shed and boats (see green “Parking” signs in front of the boat shed and park there). Overflow parking is against the marsh still further right.
You may also like the following events from Pelican Nature Club - Pelican Park Adventures:
Also check out other
Workshops in Laplace.
