Would you like to volunteer for nature? Volunteering is a chance to serve our region, build field skills, and support conservation partners. Activities should directly support LMN‑NE’s mission and the stewardship of northeast Louisiana’s natural resources.
Field‑Based Citizen Science
- Biodiversity surveys including Phenology (plants, birds, spiders, insects, butterflies, fungi, herps). LMN-NE members can use Nature’s Notebook .
- LMN-NE members can use iNaturalist for documentation during hikes, workshops, and BioBlitzes (eg. Sicily Island Hills Bioblitz).
LMN-NE and LMNA Volunteers with ace Lepidopterist Craig Marks for the NABA Butterfly count group photo at Black Bayou Lake NWR
Biodiversity & Regional Projects
- Biodiversity of Louisiana — A statewide umbrella documenting species across Louisiana.
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/biodiversity-of-louisiana(inaturalist.org in Bing)
LMN‑NE & Local Ecology Projects
- Ecology – Kiroli Park — Observations from LMN‑NE’s Ecosystems & Restoration Ecology workshop at Kiroli Park. https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/ecology-kiroli-park
- Ecology – Restoration Park — Observations from the LMN‑NE workshop at Restoration Park in West Monroe.
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/ecology-restoration-park - Herpetofauna of NE LA — A focused project documenting amphibians and reptiles at Black Bayou Lake NWR.
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/herpetofauna-of-ne-la - Highland Park Wetland Trails — Wildlife observations from the West Monroe wetland trail system.
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/highland-park-wetland-trails
Specialized & Thematic Projects
- DARLa (Distribution of Amphibians & Reptiles of Louisiana) — A statewide herpetology project mapping species distributions. https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/darla
- FunDiS Southeast Rare Fungi Challenge — A project targeting rare or under‑documented fungi species in the Southeast.
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/fundis-southeast-rare-fungi-challenge(inaturalist.org in Bing) - Lindquistia — A project tied to the (Un)Identified Neotropical Fungus 17 species list.
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/lindquistia
LMNA Community Projects
- LMNA 2018 Rendezvous — Observations from the statewide Rendezvous at Camp Hardtner.
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/lmna-2018-rendezvous - LMNA 2021 Scavenger Hunt — Entries from the virtual scavenger hunt during the 2021 Rendezvous.
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/lmna-2021-scavenger-hunt
Personal & Family Projects
- Charles & Kim Paxton’s Observations — A combined record of Charles and Kim’s natural history observations.
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/charles-kim-paxton-s-observations(inaturalist.org in Bing)
Site‑Specific Open Projects
- Restoration Park — Species documentation from West Monroe’s Restoration Park. https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/restoration-park
- Seasonal monitoring: frog call surveys, butterfly counts, Christmas Bird Count, water quality sampling.
Habitat Stewardship & Restoration
- Trail maintenance at Black Bayou Lake NWR, Kiroli Park, Restoration Park, ULM Biological Station and other natural areas.
- Invasive species removal (Chinese tallow, privet, etc.).
- Native plantings for pollinator gardens, prairie restoration, and wetland enhancement e.g. Bette Kauffman’s Certified Wildlife Habitat, Kim Paxton’s work at Cheniere Lake Butterfly Garden
Education & Interpretation
- Leading nature walks for schools, scouts, and community groups.
- Staffing LMN‑NE outreach tables at festivals and events (Black Bayou Lake Fall Celebration, Celtic Fest, Ouachita Green’s Fall Family Funfest).
- Creating educational materials such as signage, handouts, species guides, trifolds and presentations.
Organizational Support
- Event logistics for workshops, Rendezvous, and BioBlitzes.
- Photography and videography for LMN‑NE communications. LMN-NE YouTube channel, Facebook Page, Our Facebook Group,
- Website, social media, and newsletter support. Creating and sharing personalized posts and sharing LMN-NE posts is very helpful.
Examples of Approved Volunteer Activities (from LMN‑NE)
- Assisting Ouachita Green (volunteer events: Household Hazardous Waste and America Recycles days, clean‑ups and beautifications).
- Volunteering at Black Bayou Lake NWR or any NWR, park, or designated natural area.
- Service to LMN‑NE, LMNA, or any LMN chapter.
- Serving as an outreach ambassador to schools, civic groups, and community organizations. First Saturday Family Events
LMN-NE has the following ongoing volunteer opportunities for our own organization.
Marketing activities:
Off-page communications (spreads the word, builds eminence and brings people to our website / events): Sharing posts on social media, short personalized write-ups of events / activities, article submissions for local press, Nature Nuggets
On Page communications: (Blog articles and Page content for LMN-NE website, text, art work, video content
Creation of events: Guided walks, presentations (online for our YouTube Channel and/or in-person)
Creation of education materials
Mentorship
