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The Louisiana Master Naturalists of Greater Baton Rouge (LMNGBR) is a chapter of the Louisiana Master Naturalist Association focusing on the natural and cultural history of Baton Rouge and surrounding parishes. Founded in the Summer 2015 as a 501c3 non-profit organization, LMNGBR provides an educational program for participants to obtain status as a Certified Master Naturalist dedicated to conservation education and service within their communities.
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LMNGBR BOARD
President: John Nettles
Vice President: Jack Reilley
Treasurer: Cindy Thompson
Secretary: Amanda Marshall
Board Members: Krista Adams, Janie Braud, Honora Buras, Vicki LaPlace, Karen Pinsonat, Art Scarbrough, Cathy Scarbrough, Ashley Tracy, Karen Westphal.
At-Large Members: Tracey Allen, Colette Dean, Katherine Gividen, Amber King, Mary Norris.
Vice President: Jack Reilley
Treasurer: Cindy Thompson
Secretary: Amanda Marshall
Board Members: Krista Adams, Janie Braud, Honora Buras, Vicki LaPlace, Karen Pinsonat, Art Scarbrough, Cathy Scarbrough, Ashley Tracy, Karen Westphal.
At-Large Members: Tracey Allen, Colette Dean, Katherine Gividen, Amber King, Mary Norris.
Officers
President
JOHN NETTLES
John Nettles is the current board president as well as the Communications Committee Chair. His day job is in digital marketing for a telecommunications/IT company, but he prefers to spend his weekends outdoors. He particularly enjoys taking pictures of mushrooms and plants and he finds at Frenchtown and Kendalwood BREC parks. John hopes to build awareness of LMNGBR in the community, and to build attendance at LMNGBR events.
JOHN NETTLES
John Nettles is the current board president as well as the Communications Committee Chair. His day job is in digital marketing for a telecommunications/IT company, but he prefers to spend his weekends outdoors. He particularly enjoys taking pictures of mushrooms and plants and he finds at Frenchtown and Kendalwood BREC parks. John hopes to build awareness of LMNGBR in the community, and to build attendance at LMNGBR events.
Vice President
JACK REILLEY
Jack is a construction supply company branch manager and a graduate of LSU in Industrial Management. Until just recently, he spearheaded the LMNGBR Outreach Committee. He is a member of the Louisiana Hiking Club, Capital Area Native Plant Society and the Baton Rouge Audubon Society. Jack is also a member of the Acadiana Master Naturalists (Lafayette). He loves spending time outdoors camping and hiking. He also enjoys playing Scrabble, reading and playing soccer.
JACK REILLEY
Jack is a construction supply company branch manager and a graduate of LSU in Industrial Management. Until just recently, he spearheaded the LMNGBR Outreach Committee. He is a member of the Louisiana Hiking Club, Capital Area Native Plant Society and the Baton Rouge Audubon Society. Jack is also a member of the Acadiana Master Naturalists (Lafayette). He loves spending time outdoors camping and hiking. He also enjoys playing Scrabble, reading and playing soccer.
Treasurer
CINDY THOMPSON
Cindy has always loved being outside and observing nature, which continues to motivate her to learn more about Louisiana ecology and protecting our environment. She graduated from LSU as an environmental engineer and began a career in environmental consulting which started with Scenic River Studies and environmental impact assessments and led to environmental regulatory and multimedia permitting projects and teaching at LSU. She has recently retired and is excited to continue learning about ecosystems and current challenges to our environment by her involvement in the Master Naturalist Program. Working as Inreach Committee chair allows her to meet and interact with the new students in the program to help them realize their personal goals as Louisiana Master Naturalists.
CINDY THOMPSON
Cindy has always loved being outside and observing nature, which continues to motivate her to learn more about Louisiana ecology and protecting our environment. She graduated from LSU as an environmental engineer and began a career in environmental consulting which started with Scenic River Studies and environmental impact assessments and led to environmental regulatory and multimedia permitting projects and teaching at LSU. She has recently retired and is excited to continue learning about ecosystems and current challenges to our environment by her involvement in the Master Naturalist Program. Working as Inreach Committee chair allows her to meet and interact with the new students in the program to help them realize their personal goals as Louisiana Master Naturalists.
Secretary
AMANDA MARSHALL
Amanda is an environmental scientist with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. A proud Army Brat, Amanda moved back and forth across the United States and Germany with her family growing up, which nurtured her love of travel and exploration. She moved to Baton Rouge in 2017 after earning her PhD in Environmental Resources and Policy from Southern Illinois University. She has also earned a BS in Biology in 2007 and an MS in Public Policy in 2011, both from Georgia Tech. In her free time, Amanda seizes any opportunity to get outside and explore the natural world, especially if it involves hiking or kayaks, and has recently discovered the joys of birdwatching. Amanda completed the LMNGBR certification in Spring 2019, and currently serves on the LMNGBR Habitat Restoration Committee and the Quarterly Meetings Planning Committee. Outside of the Louisiana Master Naturalists, Amanda is also a regular volunteer at Cat Haven.
AMANDA MARSHALL
Amanda is an environmental scientist with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. A proud Army Brat, Amanda moved back and forth across the United States and Germany with her family growing up, which nurtured her love of travel and exploration. She moved to Baton Rouge in 2017 after earning her PhD in Environmental Resources and Policy from Southern Illinois University. She has also earned a BS in Biology in 2007 and an MS in Public Policy in 2011, both from Georgia Tech. In her free time, Amanda seizes any opportunity to get outside and explore the natural world, especially if it involves hiking or kayaks, and has recently discovered the joys of birdwatching. Amanda completed the LMNGBR certification in Spring 2019, and currently serves on the LMNGBR Habitat Restoration Committee and the Quarterly Meetings Planning Committee. Outside of the Louisiana Master Naturalists, Amanda is also a regular volunteer at Cat Haven.
Board Members
AMBER KING
Amber is a generalist naturalist with a love for learning about anything and everything. She loves getting her hands dirty in restoration and invasive species removal projects, and when not doing that, volunteers behind-the-scenes for the ornithology group at the LSU Museum of Natural Science. Amber is a graduate of the Fall 2016 LMNGBR class and is the Membership Committee Chairperson. She grew up all over the West Coast and developed a love for nature from her parents who are volunteer leaders in the annual bird count on Midway Island. Her mother still jokes that you can always find Amber with her “with her butt in the air” looking at plants and critters in the yard. Amber currently works for the Board of Regents providing research communications via the Louisiana EPSCoR division.
Amber is a generalist naturalist with a love for learning about anything and everything. She loves getting her hands dirty in restoration and invasive species removal projects, and when not doing that, volunteers behind-the-scenes for the ornithology group at the LSU Museum of Natural Science. Amber is a graduate of the Fall 2016 LMNGBR class and is the Membership Committee Chairperson. She grew up all over the West Coast and developed a love for nature from her parents who are volunteer leaders in the annual bird count on Midway Island. Her mother still jokes that you can always find Amber with her “with her butt in the air” looking at plants and critters in the yard. Amber currently works for the Board of Regents providing research communications via the Louisiana EPSCoR division.
ART SCARBROUGH
Art retired from the petrochemical industry in 2003 after thirty‐one years of service, primarily in environmental operations. In retirement, he serves on the boards of several local nonprofits including the Baton Rouge Unit of the Herb Society of America and the Baton Rouge Cat Club, in addition to the Louisiana Master Naturalists of Greater Baton Rouge. His primary focus areas are governance and protocol. A former wing commander for the Louisiana Wing Civil Air Patrol as Colonel Scarbrough, Art is still active with primary responsibilities for government relations and homeland security. Art is the Senior Druid with Highland Oak Nemeton, an affiliate Grove of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. Art served as a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam conflict.
Art retired from the petrochemical industry in 2003 after thirty‐one years of service, primarily in environmental operations. In retirement, he serves on the boards of several local nonprofits including the Baton Rouge Unit of the Herb Society of America and the Baton Rouge Cat Club, in addition to the Louisiana Master Naturalists of Greater Baton Rouge. His primary focus areas are governance and protocol. A former wing commander for the Louisiana Wing Civil Air Patrol as Colonel Scarbrough, Art is still active with primary responsibilities for government relations and homeland security. Art is the Senior Druid with Highland Oak Nemeton, an affiliate Grove of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. Art served as a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam conflict.
ASHLEY TRACY
Introduction coming soon!
Introduction coming soon!
CATHY SCARBROUGH
Cathy was born in New Orleans, raised in Covington, LA, and now a Baton Rougean since 1975. She graduated St. Scholastica Academy and Southeastern University with a degree in business education. She taught high school in Buras, LA for two years and then worked in banking at City National Bank for almost 25 years. She became Operations officer for Alliance Bank for 6 years. She has one son, one stepson, multiple cats and a dog. Cathy was Cat Magazine Editor for a brief period and still writes for several national magazines. She also serves as Treasurer for the Herb Society of America Baton Rouge Unit and Secretary for the Greater Baton Rouge Cat Club. Specializing in nothing, she likes to learn about everything in nature, especially herbs, plants, and cats.
Cathy was born in New Orleans, raised in Covington, LA, and now a Baton Rougean since 1975. She graduated St. Scholastica Academy and Southeastern University with a degree in business education. She taught high school in Buras, LA for two years and then worked in banking at City National Bank for almost 25 years. She became Operations officer for Alliance Bank for 6 years. She has one son, one stepson, multiple cats and a dog. Cathy was Cat Magazine Editor for a brief period and still writes for several national magazines. She also serves as Treasurer for the Herb Society of America Baton Rouge Unit and Secretary for the Greater Baton Rouge Cat Club. Specializing in nothing, she likes to learn about everything in nature, especially herbs, plants, and cats.
COLETTE DEAN
Colette Dean joined LMNGBR during the planning stages of the program in the spring of 2015 and facilitated the bird class for the pilot program. She became an official Louisiana Master Naturalist of Greater Baton Rouge the following spring where she continues to serve on the program committee. She has seved on the Board of Directors for the LSU Hilltop Arboretum for more than 15 years, and is a Louisiana Master Gardener (class of 2003). Her background is in public relations, event planning, fundraising and feature writing, and in her career she has served numerous community organizations, including Volunteers in Public Schools, Runnels School, Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge, Girl Scouts, and the Junior League of Baton Rouge. She was a former editor of The Southeast News, and currently serves as a feature writer for The Advocate.
Colette Dean joined LMNGBR during the planning stages of the program in the spring of 2015 and facilitated the bird class for the pilot program. She became an official Louisiana Master Naturalist of Greater Baton Rouge the following spring where she continues to serve on the program committee. She has seved on the Board of Directors for the LSU Hilltop Arboretum for more than 15 years, and is a Louisiana Master Gardener (class of 2003). Her background is in public relations, event planning, fundraising and feature writing, and in her career she has served numerous community organizations, including Volunteers in Public Schools, Runnels School, Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge, Girl Scouts, and the Junior League of Baton Rouge. She was a former editor of The Southeast News, and currently serves as a feature writer for The Advocate.
HONORA BURAS
Honora grew up in south Baton Rouge, exploring the fields and woods that have since been lost to suburban sprawl. Her life work has been focused on changing how we live within the landscape ‐ affecting the environment, our safety, and our quality of life. After earning a BS from LSU in Horticulture, she moved to Prairieville to manage Oak Haven Farms Nursery, building it into a regional destination for native and unusual plants. In mid‐career, after serving 3 years as Curator of the LSU Herbarium, she earned a Master of Natural Sciences in Botany and Geography while teaching Botany labs and assisting The Nature Conservancy with conservation projects. Later managing LSU Burden Research Plantation Ornamental Plant Division, she continued to study and promote the use of natives in the landscape, also assisting the Master Gardeners and BR Green. For the last 18 years, she has focused on conservation, community resilience and ecosystem restoration as a Coastal Resources Scientist with the State’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority. She is most proud of her work developing and implementing the State’s Coastal Forest Conservation Initiative, conserving over 40,000 acres of forests for future generations. Her other passion is travel, exploring the diversity of landscapes and cultures of the world.
JANIE BRAUD
Janie graduated with the first class of LMNGBR, spring of 2016. Most of her career was teaching high school science, receiving a B.S in Biology Education, an MNS in Zoology and Microbiology, and a Plus 30 in Administration and Supervision. The later part of her educational career was as a science curriculum specialist for grades 6-12 with EBRPSS. She is currently working as a consultant with an educational publisher.
With a passion for lifetime learning, Janie is a member of OLLIE, The Philistoria Study Club, takes piano lessons (not talented, but a joy), and enjoys Bible study and the Altar Guild at her church. She is a member of Friendship Force of BR, a sustainer with the Junior League of BR, and plays “old lady” tennis. In addition, Janie is active at the Burden Center, having worked with the Trees and Trails program since its inception. She will assume a role with the Friends of Burden Gardens Board of Directors this January 2019. Prior to scheduling any of the above activities, Janie will check the calendar to try to avoid conflicts with LSU sports – attending football and basketball games for many years. Her current focus as a naturalist is wildflowers, but anything outdoors will prove to be interesting!
Janie graduated with the first class of LMNGBR, spring of 2016. Most of her career was teaching high school science, receiving a B.S in Biology Education, an MNS in Zoology and Microbiology, and a Plus 30 in Administration and Supervision. The later part of her educational career was as a science curriculum specialist for grades 6-12 with EBRPSS. She is currently working as a consultant with an educational publisher.
With a passion for lifetime learning, Janie is a member of OLLIE, The Philistoria Study Club, takes piano lessons (not talented, but a joy), and enjoys Bible study and the Altar Guild at her church. She is a member of Friendship Force of BR, a sustainer with the Junior League of BR, and plays “old lady” tennis. In addition, Janie is active at the Burden Center, having worked with the Trees and Trails program since its inception. She will assume a role with the Friends of Burden Gardens Board of Directors this January 2019. Prior to scheduling any of the above activities, Janie will check the calendar to try to avoid conflicts with LSU sports – attending football and basketball games for many years. Her current focus as a naturalist is wildflowers, but anything outdoors will prove to be interesting!
KAREN PINSONAT
Karen grew up in Baton Rouge and spent much of her childhood enjoying the great outdoors of Louisiana and Mississippi. She owes her love of nature to her father. She was always "in her dad's back pocket," following him through the woods and through his garden.
Karen is a graduate of the Spring 2018 Master Naturalist program, and is currently a member of the Habitat Restoration Committee. She is also one of the founding members of a group who is working on bringing a community garden to the city of Denham Springs. In her spare time, she enjoys studying entomology, especially lepidoptera.
Karen grew up in Baton Rouge and spent much of her childhood enjoying the great outdoors of Louisiana and Mississippi. She owes her love of nature to her father. She was always "in her dad's back pocket," following him through the woods and through his garden.
Karen is a graduate of the Spring 2018 Master Naturalist program, and is currently a member of the Habitat Restoration Committee. She is also one of the founding members of a group who is working on bringing a community garden to the city of Denham Springs. In her spare time, she enjoys studying entomology, especially lepidoptera.
KAREN WESTPHAL
Karen is the Coastal Louisiana Project Manager, Audubon Louisiana (National Audubon Society). She provides science support involving coastal processes, ecology and biogeomorphology (how living things affect land change) including expertise with coastal vegetation, meiofauna, oil spill impacts, hurricane impacts, and coastal habitat restoration. She is responsible for coordinating or tracking a variety of activities and issues related to the Atchafalaya Basin and within the Louisiana coastal zone. Karen co‐manages the small dredge operation at the Paul J. Rainey Wildlife Sanctuary in southwest Louisiana: project design, permitting, and project management; marsh restoration and monitoring; and boat and dredge operation and maintenance.
She works closely with the Sanctuary manager, the Director of Bird Conservation, and with the Rainey Conservation Alliance. A native of the Mississippi Gulf coast, Karen joined Audubon in 2009 and brings nearly three decades of experience and research in coastal Louisiana to the team. She has worked for the Louisiana Geological Survey, Louisiana State University, and the University of New Orleans in a variety of capacities, including field research, aerial imagery surveys, shoreline change analyses, photographic timeseries, pioneering work on beneficial use of dredged material and coastal vegetation related to elevation, and impact of navigation channels (such as the MR‐GO) on the surrounding landscape.
Karen is the Coastal Louisiana Project Manager, Audubon Louisiana (National Audubon Society). She provides science support involving coastal processes, ecology and biogeomorphology (how living things affect land change) including expertise with coastal vegetation, meiofauna, oil spill impacts, hurricane impacts, and coastal habitat restoration. She is responsible for coordinating or tracking a variety of activities and issues related to the Atchafalaya Basin and within the Louisiana coastal zone. Karen co‐manages the small dredge operation at the Paul J. Rainey Wildlife Sanctuary in southwest Louisiana: project design, permitting, and project management; marsh restoration and monitoring; and boat and dredge operation and maintenance.
She works closely with the Sanctuary manager, the Director of Bird Conservation, and with the Rainey Conservation Alliance. A native of the Mississippi Gulf coast, Karen joined Audubon in 2009 and brings nearly three decades of experience and research in coastal Louisiana to the team. She has worked for the Louisiana Geological Survey, Louisiana State University, and the University of New Orleans in a variety of capacities, including field research, aerial imagery surveys, shoreline change analyses, photographic timeseries, pioneering work on beneficial use of dredged material and coastal vegetation related to elevation, and impact of navigation channels (such as the MR‐GO) on the surrounding landscape.
KATHERINE GIVIDEN
Growing up in California, Katherine loved exploring the outdoors. She spent hours collecting salamanders, and banana slugs in the forests by her home, and abalone in the tidal pools of Monterey Bay. Her family took in and rehabilitated wildlife such as deer, skunk, raccoons, and rabbits. She studied Marine Biology at Texas A&M. As a member of the American Cetacean Society she guided dolphin observation tours in Galveston Bay. She volunteered for the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding network and as a docent for the Houston Zoo. After college she worked in medical research at the Dept. of Pharmacology at UTMB. She eventually changed careers, but considers herself a true naturalist at heart. She is a Florida Master Naturalist, and completed the LMNGBR program in 2015. She teaches Backpacking at LSU and is Vice President of the Louisiana Hiking Club. Katherine was recently honored with the 2018 Louisiana Wildlife Federation Governor’s Award for Conservationist of the Year.
Growing up in California, Katherine loved exploring the outdoors. She spent hours collecting salamanders, and banana slugs in the forests by her home, and abalone in the tidal pools of Monterey Bay. Her family took in and rehabilitated wildlife such as deer, skunk, raccoons, and rabbits. She studied Marine Biology at Texas A&M. As a member of the American Cetacean Society she guided dolphin observation tours in Galveston Bay. She volunteered for the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding network and as a docent for the Houston Zoo. After college she worked in medical research at the Dept. of Pharmacology at UTMB. She eventually changed careers, but considers herself a true naturalist at heart. She is a Florida Master Naturalist, and completed the LMNGBR program in 2015. She teaches Backpacking at LSU and is Vice President of the Louisiana Hiking Club. Katherine was recently honored with the 2018 Louisiana Wildlife Federation Governor’s Award for Conservationist of the Year.
KRISTA ADAMS
Introduction coming soon!
Introduction coming soon!
MARY NORRIS
A native of Northeast Louisiana, Mary has lived in the Baton Rouge area for 20 years. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, she has worked in a variety of settings over the years and is currently working at the Department of Health and Hospitals. While having no professional education or experience in the Natural Sciences, she was fortunate to have parents who exposed her to the wonders of nature at an early age. To her this Master Naturalists program offers a fantastic opportunity for those of us in the Greater Baton Rouge area to learn and protect the vibrant and diverse environment in our own backyards!
A native of Northeast Louisiana, Mary has lived in the Baton Rouge area for 20 years. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, she has worked in a variety of settings over the years and is currently working at the Department of Health and Hospitals. While having no professional education or experience in the Natural Sciences, she was fortunate to have parents who exposed her to the wonders of nature at an early age. To her this Master Naturalists program offers a fantastic opportunity for those of us in the Greater Baton Rouge area to learn and protect the vibrant and diverse environment in our own backyards!
TRACEY ALLEN
Tracey is currently the LMNGBR Programming Committee Chairperson and a certified Master Naturalist. She graduated with an Animal Research Degree under the College of Agriculture from the University of Louisiana where she worked with primates including chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans, various farm animals, armadillos, rabbits, mice, rats, and opossums. She went on to graduate with a Master’s degree in Nursing from Loyola University of New Orleans and is currently working in human research at Pennington Biomedical Research Center. Her love of nature comes from exploring the Appalachian Mountains and the Louisiana Swamps with her family. Her grandparents were always watching birds and their son, her uncle, eventually became a professional bird photographer and lecturer who influenced her love of birds. She is a member of the Audubon Society and the Sierra Club and her hobbies include hiking, kayaking, exploring, fossil and rock hunting and birding.
Tracey is currently the LMNGBR Programming Committee Chairperson and a certified Master Naturalist. She graduated with an Animal Research Degree under the College of Agriculture from the University of Louisiana where she worked with primates including chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans, various farm animals, armadillos, rabbits, mice, rats, and opossums. She went on to graduate with a Master’s degree in Nursing from Loyola University of New Orleans and is currently working in human research at Pennington Biomedical Research Center. Her love of nature comes from exploring the Appalachian Mountains and the Louisiana Swamps with her family. Her grandparents were always watching birds and their son, her uncle, eventually became a professional bird photographer and lecturer who influenced her love of birds. She is a member of the Audubon Society and the Sierra Club and her hobbies include hiking, kayaking, exploring, fossil and rock hunting and birding.
VICKI LAPLACE
Vicki is a retired high school science teacher who went into Biology, at least partially hoping to become a naturalist. She learned that although she loved Biology and loved to teach it, becoming a naturalist was not part of the curriculum. Now that she's retired, she has the chance to do so. She loves learning about everything, but ecology and plants are her strongest areas of interest. She likes to garden and spends time observing the interactions among different organisms and the nonliving environment in her garden.
Vicki is a retired high school science teacher who went into Biology, at least partially hoping to become a naturalist. She learned that although she loved Biology and loved to teach it, becoming a naturalist was not part of the curriculum. Now that she's retired, she has the chance to do so. She loves learning about everything, but ecology and plants are her strongest areas of interest. She likes to garden and spends time observing the interactions among different organisms and the nonliving environment in her garden.