Events, Volunteer Opportunities,
Continuing Education, & Deadlines
We've gathered some interesting events that naturalists of all ages may enjoy!
Blue text = LMNGBR event | Black text = Public event
January 28 - 30, 2021
LOS Winter Meeting
The Louisiana Ornithological Society is holding a virtual winter meeting via Zoom. Learn about "The Future Delta and Birds" and “Birding, Technology, and Media in 2021: A Look at the Tools That Help Us Get Closer to Birds.” Plus field trips will be announced. More information
January 31, 2021
Winter Botany of Southern Hardwood Forests
8:45 am - 3:00 p.m.
@St. Francisville
How does one recognize a tree or shrub without leaves? A wildflower with no blooms? Come find out in this crash course on winter botany. The Coastal Plains Outdoor School will help you build the foundations in terminology, tools and skills to give you more confidence in the woods no matter the season. We'll also take time to marvel the architecture of trees canopies, the ornament and armor of buds and bark, and the many stories they tell about the history of the forest. $60. Registration
February 11, 2021
Use of population genetics for understanding avian movement
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Online
The Baton Rouge Audubon Society is hosting a virtual presentation by Paige Byerly, PhD Candidate, University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Learn about the application of genetic approaches for understanding the history and relatedness of birds. Register in advance for this meeting:
https://audubon.zoom.us/.../tJUrdeCtrDsvG9y5VXgIUg3FVW6jV...
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
February 12 - 15, 2021
The Great Backyard Bird Count
This annual citizen science event need your help to count the birds you see in your backyard. Simply count birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the GBBC and submit the data. More information: https://gbbc.birdcount.org
February 27, 2021
Herb Day
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
@LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden
Have you ever wanted to start an herb garden? Come out and take part in our herb sale! Herb Day is an educational outdoor gardening event and sale sponsored by the American Herb Society Baton Rouge Unit. We will have various types of herbs on sale to get you started with your very own herb garden.
February 27, 2021
Woods Walk: Frenchtown
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
@Frenchtown Conservation Area
Satisfy your curiosity about the trees you see at BREC Parks and your wonder about the animals that call BREC Conservation Areas home. $5. Registration
March 1, 2021
Reflections in the Garden: Briarwood Preserve
12:00 - 1:00 pm
Online
Members of the Friends of the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens are invited to attend a virtual presentation about historical and botanical story of Briarwood Preserve and Caroline Dormon, one of Louisiana's most treasured naturalists. Membership info
March 4 - 5, 2021
Texas Plastics Pollution Symposium
@South Padre Island
Research, solutions and public policy regarding plastic pollution. The symposium is free and you can either attend virtually or in person. Registration
March 2021
Plant Identification Workshops
@Allen Acres Bed & Breakfast in Pitkin, LA
Offered Mar. 16-18, Mar. 23-25, and Mar 30 - Apr 1. If you want to learn to recognize many of the herbaceous plants, trees, shrubs, vines, graminoids, and ferns, this is the workshop for you. These workshops are taught by author, botanist and moth enthusiast, Dr. Charles Allen. The course includes lectures and fieldtrips, where you can see the plants in their natural environment, as well as labeled specimens in a lab setting. You will be given BRF’s (Best Recognizing Features) for each plant with lots of emphasis on leaves plus other facts like use, edibility etc. During the three-day workshop, you will be exposed to more than 200 species of herbaceous plants, trees, shrubs, and vines, graminoids, and ferns plus wetland info. $300. Accommodations and meals available for additional cost. Contact Dr. Allen or register online
March 1, 2021
Birding Basics Course
@LSU Hilltop Arboretum
This Baton Rouge Audubon Society course teaches birding skills for the beginner birder. There are four classroom meetings, March 1, 8, 15 and 22 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., plus weekend bird walks. $50. Registration
March 1, 2021
OLLI Birding Basics Course
@LSU Hilltop Arboretum
OLLI is offering this Baton Rouge Audubon Society course for learners over 50 years old. It teaches birding skills for the beginner birder. There are four classroom meetings, March 1, 8, 15 and 22 from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., plus weekend bird walks. Registration
March 3, 2021
Birding Basics Course
@PARD1 Park Events Building in Ponchatoula
This Baton Rouge Audubon Society course teaches birding skills for the beginner birder. There are four classroom meetings, March 3, 10, 17 and 24 from 8:00 - 11:00 a.m., plus weekday bird walks. $50. Registration
March 13, 2021
Green Force Volunteer Training
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
@Manchac Parish Park
BREC Conservation is looking to train a dedicated force of volunteers in conservation management, education and programming. Learn how to help keep our habitats clean and healthy and earn rewards doing it! Only 20 volunteer hours a year commitment. Whether you want to learn more about invasive species removal, trail clearing or how to be a program or event aid, this training is for you! Registration and information
March 13, 2021
Old Growth Hardwood Forests of the South
8:45 am - 3:00 p.m.
@Sicily Island
The forest that early inhabitants of the South knew were vastly different from today’s often dense, overgrown forests. But relics of antiquity can still be found if we have the trained eyes to see them. Join the Coastal Plains Outdoor School and botanist John Michael Kelley and naturalist Matthew Herron on a treasure hunt to discover the remnants of our rich natural heritage as we hike one of Louisiana’s most rugged, breathtaking landscapes. Learn to read the land for signs of the forest’s history, estimate age of trees and stands, and determine the ecological health of a mature hardwood forest. $60. Registration
March 27, 2021
East Baton Rouge Master Gardener Plant Sale
@Burden/LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens
Shop from over 5,000 homegrown perennials and annuals specifically selected by the East Baton Rouge Master Gardeners for success in your garden! The EBR Master Gardener Annual Plant Sale raises money to support the educational activities of the Master Gardeners and the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens. Visit the Plant Sale website before the sale to browse the selections with images and specifications on the available varieties. Free.
April 2021
Plant Identification Workshops
@Allen Acres Bed & Breakfast in Pitkin, LA
Offered Apr. 6-8, Apr. 13-15 and Apr. 20-22. If you want to learn to recognize many of the herbaceous plants, trees, shrubs, vines, graminoids, and ferns, this is the workshop for you. These workshops are taught by author, botanist and moth enthusiast, Dr. Charles Allen. The course includes lectures and fieldtrips, where you can see the plants in their natural environment, as well as labeled specimens in a lab setting. You will be given BRF’s (Best Recognizing Features) for each plant with lots of emphasis on leaves plus other facts like use, edibility etc. During the three-day workshop, you will be exposed to more than 200 species of herbaceous plants, trees, shrubs, and vines, graminoids, and ferns plus wetland info. $300. Accommodations and meals available for additional cost. Contact Dr. Allen or register online
April 2021
Rendezvous 2021: Statewide Master Naturalist Conference
To be safe, the in-person Louisiana Master Naturalist Association annual conference was canceled again due to COVID-19. LMNA is creating a slate of activities that can be done locally during the month of April.
April 30 - May 3, 2021
City Nature Challenge
Baton Rouge is competing in the 2021 City Nature Challenge! Let's beat the other cities!!!! Everyone can participate by posting observations of wildlife in iNaturalist during the competition weekend. http://www.brnaturechallenge.org
May 2021
Plant Identification Workshops
@Allen Acres Bed & Breakfast in Pitkin, LA
Offered May 4-6, May 11-13, May 18-20, and May 25-27. If you want to learn to recognize many of the herbaceous plants, trees, shrubs, vines, graminoids, and ferns, this is the workshop for you. These workshops are taught by author, botanist and moth enthusiast, Dr. Charles Allen. The course includes lectures and fieldtrips, where you can see the plants in their natural environment, as well as labeled specimens in a lab setting. You will be given BRF’s (Best Recognizing Features) for each plant with lots of emphasis on leaves plus other facts like use, edibility etc. During the three-day workshop, you will be exposed to more than 200 species of herbaceous plants, trees, shrubs, and vines, graminoids, and ferns plus wetland info. $300. Accommodations and meals available for additional cost. Contact Dr. Allen or register online
April 2022
Rendezvous 2022: Statewide Master Naturalist Conference
@Camp Hardtner, Pitkin, LA
Save the date for the Louisiana Master Naturalist Association annual conference! All members are eligible to attend. Registration TBA. If you registered for Rendezvous 2020, your registration will automatically roll over to 2022.
LOS Winter Meeting
The Louisiana Ornithological Society is holding a virtual winter meeting via Zoom. Learn about "The Future Delta and Birds" and “Birding, Technology, and Media in 2021: A Look at the Tools That Help Us Get Closer to Birds.” Plus field trips will be announced. More information
January 31, 2021
Winter Botany of Southern Hardwood Forests
8:45 am - 3:00 p.m.
@St. Francisville
How does one recognize a tree or shrub without leaves? A wildflower with no blooms? Come find out in this crash course on winter botany. The Coastal Plains Outdoor School will help you build the foundations in terminology, tools and skills to give you more confidence in the woods no matter the season. We'll also take time to marvel the architecture of trees canopies, the ornament and armor of buds and bark, and the many stories they tell about the history of the forest. $60. Registration
February 11, 2021
Use of population genetics for understanding avian movement
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Online
The Baton Rouge Audubon Society is hosting a virtual presentation by Paige Byerly, PhD Candidate, University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Learn about the application of genetic approaches for understanding the history and relatedness of birds. Register in advance for this meeting:
https://audubon.zoom.us/.../tJUrdeCtrDsvG9y5VXgIUg3FVW6jV...
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
February 12 - 15, 2021
The Great Backyard Bird Count
This annual citizen science event need your help to count the birds you see in your backyard. Simply count birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the GBBC and submit the data. More information: https://gbbc.birdcount.org
February 27, 2021
Herb Day
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
@LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden
Have you ever wanted to start an herb garden? Come out and take part in our herb sale! Herb Day is an educational outdoor gardening event and sale sponsored by the American Herb Society Baton Rouge Unit. We will have various types of herbs on sale to get you started with your very own herb garden.
February 27, 2021
Woods Walk: Frenchtown
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
@Frenchtown Conservation Area
Satisfy your curiosity about the trees you see at BREC Parks and your wonder about the animals that call BREC Conservation Areas home. $5. Registration
March 1, 2021
Reflections in the Garden: Briarwood Preserve
12:00 - 1:00 pm
Online
Members of the Friends of the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens are invited to attend a virtual presentation about historical and botanical story of Briarwood Preserve and Caroline Dormon, one of Louisiana's most treasured naturalists. Membership info
March 4 - 5, 2021
Texas Plastics Pollution Symposium
@South Padre Island
Research, solutions and public policy regarding plastic pollution. The symposium is free and you can either attend virtually or in person. Registration
March 2021
Plant Identification Workshops
@Allen Acres Bed & Breakfast in Pitkin, LA
Offered Mar. 16-18, Mar. 23-25, and Mar 30 - Apr 1. If you want to learn to recognize many of the herbaceous plants, trees, shrubs, vines, graminoids, and ferns, this is the workshop for you. These workshops are taught by author, botanist and moth enthusiast, Dr. Charles Allen. The course includes lectures and fieldtrips, where you can see the plants in their natural environment, as well as labeled specimens in a lab setting. You will be given BRF’s (Best Recognizing Features) for each plant with lots of emphasis on leaves plus other facts like use, edibility etc. During the three-day workshop, you will be exposed to more than 200 species of herbaceous plants, trees, shrubs, and vines, graminoids, and ferns plus wetland info. $300. Accommodations and meals available for additional cost. Contact Dr. Allen or register online
March 1, 2021
Birding Basics Course
@LSU Hilltop Arboretum
This Baton Rouge Audubon Society course teaches birding skills for the beginner birder. There are four classroom meetings, March 1, 8, 15 and 22 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., plus weekend bird walks. $50. Registration
March 1, 2021
OLLI Birding Basics Course
@LSU Hilltop Arboretum
OLLI is offering this Baton Rouge Audubon Society course for learners over 50 years old. It teaches birding skills for the beginner birder. There are four classroom meetings, March 1, 8, 15 and 22 from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., plus weekend bird walks. Registration
March 3, 2021
Birding Basics Course
@PARD1 Park Events Building in Ponchatoula
This Baton Rouge Audubon Society course teaches birding skills for the beginner birder. There are four classroom meetings, March 3, 10, 17 and 24 from 8:00 - 11:00 a.m., plus weekday bird walks. $50. Registration
March 13, 2021
Green Force Volunteer Training
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
@Manchac Parish Park
BREC Conservation is looking to train a dedicated force of volunteers in conservation management, education and programming. Learn how to help keep our habitats clean and healthy and earn rewards doing it! Only 20 volunteer hours a year commitment. Whether you want to learn more about invasive species removal, trail clearing or how to be a program or event aid, this training is for you! Registration and information
March 13, 2021
Old Growth Hardwood Forests of the South
8:45 am - 3:00 p.m.
@Sicily Island
The forest that early inhabitants of the South knew were vastly different from today’s often dense, overgrown forests. But relics of antiquity can still be found if we have the trained eyes to see them. Join the Coastal Plains Outdoor School and botanist John Michael Kelley and naturalist Matthew Herron on a treasure hunt to discover the remnants of our rich natural heritage as we hike one of Louisiana’s most rugged, breathtaking landscapes. Learn to read the land for signs of the forest’s history, estimate age of trees and stands, and determine the ecological health of a mature hardwood forest. $60. Registration
March 27, 2021
East Baton Rouge Master Gardener Plant Sale
@Burden/LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens
Shop from over 5,000 homegrown perennials and annuals specifically selected by the East Baton Rouge Master Gardeners for success in your garden! The EBR Master Gardener Annual Plant Sale raises money to support the educational activities of the Master Gardeners and the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens. Visit the Plant Sale website before the sale to browse the selections with images and specifications on the available varieties. Free.
April 2021
Plant Identification Workshops
@Allen Acres Bed & Breakfast in Pitkin, LA
Offered Apr. 6-8, Apr. 13-15 and Apr. 20-22. If you want to learn to recognize many of the herbaceous plants, trees, shrubs, vines, graminoids, and ferns, this is the workshop for you. These workshops are taught by author, botanist and moth enthusiast, Dr. Charles Allen. The course includes lectures and fieldtrips, where you can see the plants in their natural environment, as well as labeled specimens in a lab setting. You will be given BRF’s (Best Recognizing Features) for each plant with lots of emphasis on leaves plus other facts like use, edibility etc. During the three-day workshop, you will be exposed to more than 200 species of herbaceous plants, trees, shrubs, and vines, graminoids, and ferns plus wetland info. $300. Accommodations and meals available for additional cost. Contact Dr. Allen or register online
April 2021
Rendezvous 2021: Statewide Master Naturalist Conference
To be safe, the in-person Louisiana Master Naturalist Association annual conference was canceled again due to COVID-19. LMNA is creating a slate of activities that can be done locally during the month of April.
April 30 - May 3, 2021
City Nature Challenge
Baton Rouge is competing in the 2021 City Nature Challenge! Let's beat the other cities!!!! Everyone can participate by posting observations of wildlife in iNaturalist during the competition weekend. http://www.brnaturechallenge.org
May 2021
Plant Identification Workshops
@Allen Acres Bed & Breakfast in Pitkin, LA
Offered May 4-6, May 11-13, May 18-20, and May 25-27. If you want to learn to recognize many of the herbaceous plants, trees, shrubs, vines, graminoids, and ferns, this is the workshop for you. These workshops are taught by author, botanist and moth enthusiast, Dr. Charles Allen. The course includes lectures and fieldtrips, where you can see the plants in their natural environment, as well as labeled specimens in a lab setting. You will be given BRF’s (Best Recognizing Features) for each plant with lots of emphasis on leaves plus other facts like use, edibility etc. During the three-day workshop, you will be exposed to more than 200 species of herbaceous plants, trees, shrubs, and vines, graminoids, and ferns plus wetland info. $300. Accommodations and meals available for additional cost. Contact Dr. Allen or register online
April 2022
Rendezvous 2022: Statewide Master Naturalist Conference
@Camp Hardtner, Pitkin, LA
Save the date for the Louisiana Master Naturalist Association annual conference! All members are eligible to attend. Registration TBA. If you registered for Rendezvous 2020, your registration will automatically roll over to 2022.