🌿 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! 🌎✨

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!

Tag: wildlife

Rhythms of Nature