Rhythms of Nature

🌿 Discover the Rhythms of Nature: A Day of Phenology

Saturday, October 18 | 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
📍 West Monroe Branch Library & Trails at Black Bayou Lake

Have you ever noticed how the first blooms of spring or the turning of autumn leaves seem to follow a rhythm? That’s phenology—the study of nature’s cycles—and we’re inviting you to spend a day exploring it with us!

📚 Morning Session: Learning Together

9:00 a.m. | West Monroe Branch Library
315 Cypress Street, West Monroe, LA 71291

We’ll kick off the day at the library with an introduction to phenology, led by Dr. Joydeep Bhattacharjee, Professor of Biology. You’ll also get hands-on guidance with the Nature’s Notebook app, a powerful tool for recording seasonal changes in plants and wildlife.

🚗 Midday: Caravan & Lunch

11:30 a.m.
We’ll travel together to our field site at Black Bayou Lake. Pack your own lunch and enjoy it on the way or once we arrive.

🌳 Afternoon: Field Work & Observations

12:30 p.m. | Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Now it’s time to put our learning into practice! We’ll head outdoors for guided fieldwork and observations, exploring the seasonal patterns of the plants and animals around us.

🕒 Wrap-Up

3:00 p.m.
We’ll conclude our day of discovery and reflection.

🌞 A Few Notes Before You Come

Facilities: Please note that the Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge visitor center and conservation learning center are currently closed due to the government shutdown. Plan ahead for restroom and water needs.
Weather: The forecast looks great—mostly sunny with a high near 88°F and no rain expected.
What to Bring: Your own lunch, plenty of water, and anything else you’ll need to stay comfortable outdoors. Cameras encouraged!

📩 Questions?

Reach out to David Hoover at:
📧 dhoover7969@sbcglobal.net
📞 318-605-2548

This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature, learn from an expert, and contribute to citizen science. We hope you’ll join us for a day of curiosity, community, and discovery! 🌎✨

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Update on Watershed Dynamics Workshop

🌊 Update on the Watershed Dynamics & Flooding Workshop

We were so excited to bring you a day of learning and exploration on Saturday, September 27, diving into the fascinating world of watersheds, flooding, and stream ecology. Unfortunately, due to low registration numbers, we’ve made the difficult decision to cancel this event.

Workshops like this thrive on participation and shared curiosity, and while we won’t be gathering this time, we’re grateful for the interest and support we’ve received. Dr. Bill Patterson and our team remain committed to creating opportunities for hands-on learning about water, land, and the environment—and we hope to see you at a future program.

💡 What’s next?
We’re already brainstorming new ways to bring watershed science to life for our community. Keep an eye out for upcoming events, field days, and workshops where you’ll have the chance to explore, ask questions, and connect with others who share your curiosity about the natural world.

Thank you for your understanding, and for being part of our learning community. Even though we won’t be wading into Shepherd Creek this weekend, the conversation about water, land use, and resilience continues—and we’d love for you to be part of it.

— David Hoover, President, Lousiana Master Naturalists Northeast

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Hydrology in Action

🌊 Explore Watershed Dynamics & Flooding: A Hands-On Workshop in Ruston, LA

Curious about how water moves through our environment—and how land use and weather shape flooding? Join us for a full-day, interactive workshop on Saturday, September 27, where science meets the outdoors in a deep dive into watershed dynamics.

📍 Where & When

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Reese Hall 219, Louisiana Tech University & Shepherd Creek, Ruston, LA

We’ll kick off the morning at Reese Hall (1201 Reese Dr., just south of W. California Ave on LaTech’s South Campus), where Dr. Bill Patterson—Associate Professor of Forest Soils and Watershed Management at Lousiana Tech—will guide us through the fundamentals of the hydrologic cycle. Expect engaging discussions on precipitation, infiltration, groundwater flow, storm runoff, and how human activity influences flooding.

🥪 Midday Caravan & Lunch
Around 11:30 a.m., we’ll caravan to our field site at Shepherd Creek. Bring your lunch and plenty of water—there won’t be food provided, but there will be time to eat and recharge before we dive into hands-on exploration.

🧪 Fieldwork at Shepherd Creek
Starting at 12:30 p.m., we’ll roll up our sleeves (or waders!) to take water quality measurements and observe stream dynamics in action. Not keen on wading in? No problem—you can stay dry and use dip nets or simply explore the rich plant and animal life along the stream banks.

🌤️ Weather & What to Bring
The forecast looks promising: partly cloudy, high of 88°F, and no rain. Be sure to bring:

Chest waders or rubber boots (if you want to get in the stream)
Lunch and drinking water
Curiosity and a sense of adventure

Whether you’re a student, educator, or just someone who loves learning outdoors, this workshop offers a unique chance to connect theory with practice—and to see firsthand how water shapes the land we live on.

We hope to see you there!

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Explore the Wild Side: Basic Field Skills

Ever wondered what a naturalist actually does? Or maybe you’re ready to take the next step and become a certified Master Naturalist yourself. Either way, we’ve got just the thing for you.

On Saturday, July 19, join us for the third installment in our 5th series of Certification Workshops—Basic Field Skills—a day designed to inspire, inform, and equip curious minds of all kinds. Whether you’re new to the world of naturalism or already knee-deep in field guides and bird calls, this workshop is your chance to connect with like-minded explorers and deepen your understanding of the natural world.

📍 Where?

Photo Courtesy of St. Thomas on the Bayou homepage

We’ll be gathering at St. Thomas’ on the Bayou Episcopal Church in Monroe (3706 Bon Aire Dr), in the cozy and conveniently located Canterbury Room. Doors open at 9:00 a.m.

📝 What’s on the Agenda?
Here’s what your day of discovery will look like:

9:00–10:15 a.m. – The Art & Practice of Nature Journaling with Kim Paxton
Learn how to observe and record the wonders around you, transforming your experiences into lasting reflections.

10:30–11:45 a.m. – Observing for Citizen Science with Bette Kauffman
Get hands-on with platforms like iNaturalist and eBird and discover how your observations can contribute to real scientific research.

🌳 Whether you’re chasing certification or just want to see what all the buzz is about, we’d love to have you join us. Bring your curiosity, your questions, and some bug spray and water, and your walking shoes. Bring a notebook or journal – you’ll want to put your new skills to use. A camera or cell phone will be useful in gathering pictures and using the apps.

Let nature teach you something new this July. See you on the path!

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Scaling New Heights: Discovering the Wonders of Reptiles and Amphibians

Exploring the Wild World of Herpetology – Join Us!

Are you ready to dive into the fascinating world of amphibians and reptiles? Whether you’re a seasoned nature lover or just curious about the creatures that slither, hop, and crawl among us, our upcoming Herpetology Workshop is the perfect opportunity to learn, explore, and gain a newfound appreciation for these remarkable animals!

📅 Date: June 14, 2025
📍 Location: Hanna Hall, ULM Campus (700 University Ave)
🕘 Time: 9:00 AM

As part of our Certified Master Naturalist program, this workshop is designed to provide hands-on learning about the cold-blooded inhabitants of Louisiana. Leading the charge are our incredible presenters:

Jess Goodrich, a dedicated member of our group, who holds a Master’s in Biology from ULM and worked closely with Dr. Carr as a teaching assistant.

Dr. John Carr, a world-renowned herpetologist and biology professor at ULM—he literally wrote the book on Northeast Louisiana’s reptiles and amphibians!

First, we’ll cover the fundamentals of herpetology in an engaging classroom session. Then, we’ll take our newfound knowledge into the field, venturing into habitats where no Master Naturalist has gone before!

🔹 What to Bring:

Comfortable hiking attire (we may encounter wet environments)
Lunch & plenty of water
Sunscreen
Bug Spray
Notebook & camera
A sense of adventure!

Whether you’re fascinated by frogs, toads, snakes, and lizards—or even a little unsure about them—you’ll leave with a fresh perspective and a deeper admiration for these essential creatures in our ecosystems.

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to expand your nature knowledge and experience herpetology firsthand. We can’t wait to explore with you!