Northshore Naturalist Introduction Workshop is an overnight quick study of the natural world. This program includes 4 hours of classroom instruction and 8 hours of guided field instruction led by Certified Louisiana Master Naturalists. The program will take place at Fontainebleau State Park and includes a night of tent camping.
No experience or prior knowledge required to attend! Anybody with an interest in native birds, ecology, plants, mammals, snakes, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and arthropods are encouraged to sign up. We’ll cover a little bit of everything!
Birdwatchers have what’s referred to as a “spark bird”—the bird that sparked their interest in birdwatching. The goal of this workshop is to connect you with whatever your “spark” subject may be in nature, which may be a plant that catches your eye or an insect you can't take your eyes from.
Registration is limited to 20 people! Ages 18+. Restrooms are available on sight.
Workshop itinerary:
Saturday afternoon (Sunset 7:48 PM)
2:00-2:45 PM: (Group Camp) Check in, set up tents.
3:00-4:00PM: (Classroom) Introductions, itinerary, what is a naturalist.
4:00-5:00PM: (Classroom) Birds, mammals, plants.
5:00-5:15PM: (Classroom) Break
5:15-6:30PM: (Classroom) Herptiles, insects, arthropods.
6:30-7:15PM: (Group Camp) Dinner
7:15-7:30PM: (Group Camp) Prepare for night hike
7:30PM-10:00PM: (Field) Night hike
10:00-10:45PM: (Outdoor Classroom) Moth sheet
10:45-11:00PM: (Group Camp) Return to campsite, debrief, sleep.
Sunday morning (Sunrise 6:04 AM)
5:00-5:30AM: (Group Camp) Wake up, quick breakfast.
5:30-7:00AM: (Field) Morning Hike
7:00-7:30AM: (Group Camp) Break
7:30-8:30AM: (Field) Edible plant hike
8:30-9:15 AM (Group Camp) Break down campsites and pack cars
9:15-10:00 AM (Classroom) Wrap up / gear talk / what’s next
10:00AM-12:00PM: (Cane Bayou) Paddle
12:00-1:00PM: (Nan’s) group lunch (optional)
Registration includes:
Dinner
Breakfast
Morning Coffee
A snack
Binocular rental
Flashlight/head lamp rental
4 hours of classroom instruction
8 hours of field instruction
Campsite
Entrance fee to the park
Kayak rental (you will be sent a code to reserve your boat with Canoe and Trail Adventures)
Please bring:
Long sleeved shirts and pants for the hikes
A hat
A water bottle
Cutlery for dinner and breakfast
Outdoor hiking shoes or boots
You may want to bring:
An extra flashlight or head lamp
A folding chair for camp area
A tent
Make sure to select the correct "with tent" or "without ten" registration option if you would like to be supplied with one. One tent will sleep up to four people.
Accessibility: The classroom portion will take place indoors with nearby accessible restrooms and a water fountain. The parking lot is paved with designated handicap spaces.
The hikes will take place on flat ground covered in grass or hard packed mud as well as a sandy beach. The trails we hike on will be relatively flat but uneven at times with protruding tree roots. Fontainebleau State Park has an all-terrain wheelchair available to rent on a first come, first serve basis. Restrooms are accessible. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any accessibility concerns you may have. We are happy to accommodate you to the best of our ability!
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