Meet Our Volunteers
We are starting to collect fun interviews of our Master Naturalist volunteers
to introduce you to our organization. Welcome and enjoy!
to introduce you to our organization. Welcome and enjoy!
Amanda
Class: Spring 2019
What is your favorite flora/fauna and why?
My favorite flora are ferns, because I love that they’re ancient plants, and their grace and symmetry is just beautiful to me. I’ve taken thousands of pictures of ferns while out in the woods. Unfortunately, I’m terrible at keeping them alive indoors.
My favorite fauna are the Felidae, because they are simply amazing to watch in motion. I’ve seen mountain lions in the wild in Arizona, and I’d really love to see a bobcat in their natural habitat. I have and will watch any program about wild cats, multiple times. I also have a spoiled indoor housecat, and I volunteer at Cat Haven weekly.
When did you develop your love for nature?
I don’t remember ever not loving nature. Some of my clearest childhood memories are of going on Volksmarches with my family in the German forests and countryside when my dad was stationed there. I remember how amazing it was to be immersed in these huge old forests with the smells of earth, and the bird calls, and these huge yellow banana slugs that were the coolest thing ever, but terrified my sister.
Why did you join the LMNGBR board?
I am very excited to have been elected Secretary of the board. I joined because I fell in love with LMNGBR shortly after joining. I love the camaraderie members share, and that every person I’ve met loves nature at least, if not more, than I do. I learn at least one new thing every time I attend a meeting, event, or field trip. I want to help ensure that LMNGBR continues to offer the same amazing experience I’ve had so far, if not an even better one, to incoming members and to those of us who are hooked for life.
What was your favorite certification workshop and why?
That’s really a tough question to answer, because I honestly loved all of the workshops and learned so much at each one. I had to leave the stream ecology workshop early, so I didn’t get to go out in the field, or I’d likely have said that one because watershed science and ecology were my focus in college and graduate school. So, I would say that my favorite was the Herptiles Workshop. The walk we took to find and identify amphibians & reptiles at Waddill Wildlife Refuge was amazing – I had never realized how many of these animals I was walking past without seeing them, or even knowing some of the places to look, until this trip. And I had a blast trying to catch cricket frogs.
The final projects are a new component to training - what did you think about them?
I really enjoyed the final projects, and I thought everyone did an awesome job. I love the variety of interests everyone revealed through their chosen project. The process was overall good, and I know this was the first year for it, so I’m sure they’ll go even more smoothly in the future. I unfortunately can be a bit of a procrastinator, and I wish I’d done a better job identifying my project and starting on it earlier, rather than doing it all in the last month.
You have participated in local BioBlitzes and did a biodiversity survey at a park for your final project - what do you find interesting about that process?
As more of a generalist, I didn’t take the opportunity to learn about species identification in school, which is something I’m remedying now. Before I joined LMNGBR, and discovered iNaturalist, I would go for a hike or walk and see trees, plants, birds, flying insects… but I didn’t really feel a need to distinguish them other than by common name or type (i.e., a beetle, a dragonfly). Now, I want to know what each one is, and what makes it unique. I think it’s amazing that there are so many more species found in our community parks than I had ever thought there’d be. I love that through using iNaturalist (or a similar app) during a BioBlitz you can take a picture of a specimen, and upload it to an app, and have a whole community of people who are willing to help you identify it!
Class: Spring 2019
What is your favorite flora/fauna and why?
My favorite flora are ferns, because I love that they’re ancient plants, and their grace and symmetry is just beautiful to me. I’ve taken thousands of pictures of ferns while out in the woods. Unfortunately, I’m terrible at keeping them alive indoors.
My favorite fauna are the Felidae, because they are simply amazing to watch in motion. I’ve seen mountain lions in the wild in Arizona, and I’d really love to see a bobcat in their natural habitat. I have and will watch any program about wild cats, multiple times. I also have a spoiled indoor housecat, and I volunteer at Cat Haven weekly.
When did you develop your love for nature?
I don’t remember ever not loving nature. Some of my clearest childhood memories are of going on Volksmarches with my family in the German forests and countryside when my dad was stationed there. I remember how amazing it was to be immersed in these huge old forests with the smells of earth, and the bird calls, and these huge yellow banana slugs that were the coolest thing ever, but terrified my sister.
Why did you join the LMNGBR board?
I am very excited to have been elected Secretary of the board. I joined because I fell in love with LMNGBR shortly after joining. I love the camaraderie members share, and that every person I’ve met loves nature at least, if not more, than I do. I learn at least one new thing every time I attend a meeting, event, or field trip. I want to help ensure that LMNGBR continues to offer the same amazing experience I’ve had so far, if not an even better one, to incoming members and to those of us who are hooked for life.
What was your favorite certification workshop and why?
That’s really a tough question to answer, because I honestly loved all of the workshops and learned so much at each one. I had to leave the stream ecology workshop early, so I didn’t get to go out in the field, or I’d likely have said that one because watershed science and ecology were my focus in college and graduate school. So, I would say that my favorite was the Herptiles Workshop. The walk we took to find and identify amphibians & reptiles at Waddill Wildlife Refuge was amazing – I had never realized how many of these animals I was walking past without seeing them, or even knowing some of the places to look, until this trip. And I had a blast trying to catch cricket frogs.
The final projects are a new component to training - what did you think about them?
I really enjoyed the final projects, and I thought everyone did an awesome job. I love the variety of interests everyone revealed through their chosen project. The process was overall good, and I know this was the first year for it, so I’m sure they’ll go even more smoothly in the future. I unfortunately can be a bit of a procrastinator, and I wish I’d done a better job identifying my project and starting on it earlier, rather than doing it all in the last month.
You have participated in local BioBlitzes and did a biodiversity survey at a park for your final project - what do you find interesting about that process?
As more of a generalist, I didn’t take the opportunity to learn about species identification in school, which is something I’m remedying now. Before I joined LMNGBR, and discovered iNaturalist, I would go for a hike or walk and see trees, plants, birds, flying insects… but I didn’t really feel a need to distinguish them other than by common name or type (i.e., a beetle, a dragonfly). Now, I want to know what each one is, and what makes it unique. I think it’s amazing that there are so many more species found in our community parks than I had ever thought there’d be. I love that through using iNaturalist (or a similar app) during a BioBlitz you can take a picture of a specimen, and upload it to an app, and have a whole community of people who are willing to help you identify it!
Janie
Class: Spring 2016
What is your favorite flora and fauna?
Flora: Mushrooms and wildflowers – I think because they can pop up overnight and be a fun surprise in an “ordinary” location.
Fauna: I would have to say birds because that is about all I usually see, but I am usually the last in the group to finally find them. I’m the one that says “where?” about 3 times and then just shut up because I am sure it is annoying.
Although I really try to ID as much as I can (sometimes to an obsession), I like to reflect on one of my favorite quotes by Richard Feynman:
“You can know the name of a bird in all the languages of the world, but when you’re finished, you’ll know absolutely nothing whatever about the bird… So let’s look at the bird and see what it’s doing – that’s what counts. I learned very early the difference between knowing the name of something and knowing something.”
I enjoy looking closely for adaptations or peculiarities and guessing what purpose interesting structures or behaviors may serve.
When did you get interested in nature?
Summer camp in the North Carolina Smoky Mountains – from 4th grade through freshman in college. I started college in business, but hated accounting and loved biology.
Where else do you volunteer?
I enjoy the Burden Center. They have a variety of activities (clearing trails, leading school field trips, special events.) The staff and volunteers are great people to be around.
Tell us about your connection with the LSU Museum of Natural Science
In the 1980’s I was part of a group of volunteers that started a patrons group to support the LSU Museum of Natural Science. We worked with Peter Soderbergh as he wrote the history of the museum, held fund-raisers for the museum, started the Special Saturday program, and staffed the museum to open it up on LSU game days. Unfortunately, the patrons fizzled out as leadership dwindled. I became pregnant with twins and my life took a different turn for many years. I am so pleased that there is now a staff position of Museum Educator now that is fulfilling the vision of our patrons – and so much more!
Class: Spring 2016
What is your favorite flora and fauna?
Flora: Mushrooms and wildflowers – I think because they can pop up overnight and be a fun surprise in an “ordinary” location.
Fauna: I would have to say birds because that is about all I usually see, but I am usually the last in the group to finally find them. I’m the one that says “where?” about 3 times and then just shut up because I am sure it is annoying.
Although I really try to ID as much as I can (sometimes to an obsession), I like to reflect on one of my favorite quotes by Richard Feynman:
“You can know the name of a bird in all the languages of the world, but when you’re finished, you’ll know absolutely nothing whatever about the bird… So let’s look at the bird and see what it’s doing – that’s what counts. I learned very early the difference between knowing the name of something and knowing something.”
I enjoy looking closely for adaptations or peculiarities and guessing what purpose interesting structures or behaviors may serve.
When did you get interested in nature?
Summer camp in the North Carolina Smoky Mountains – from 4th grade through freshman in college. I started college in business, but hated accounting and loved biology.
Where else do you volunteer?
I enjoy the Burden Center. They have a variety of activities (clearing trails, leading school field trips, special events.) The staff and volunteers are great people to be around.
Tell us about your connection with the LSU Museum of Natural Science
In the 1980’s I was part of a group of volunteers that started a patrons group to support the LSU Museum of Natural Science. We worked with Peter Soderbergh as he wrote the history of the museum, held fund-raisers for the museum, started the Special Saturday program, and staffed the museum to open it up on LSU game days. Unfortunately, the patrons fizzled out as leadership dwindled. I became pregnant with twins and my life took a different turn for many years. I am so pleased that there is now a staff position of Museum Educator now that is fulfilling the vision of our patrons – and so much more!
Mike
Class: Spring 2018
Mike joined LMNGBR with the Spring 2018 class, and enjoys volunteering at the certification workshops and promoting our group and mission at public events. He also doesn't mind sweating and getting his hands dirty with the Habitat Restoration Committee.
What is your favorite habitat?
The wetlands of South Louisiana. I love looking out into the woods and seeing all the native trees draped in Spanish moss with an undergrowth of palmettos along with all the critters and birds that make up the ecosystem. This past week we made a 70-mile roundtrip boat ride from Pierre Part to Morgan City to do a bird count. We saw thousands of birds including 14 bald eagles and I enjoyed every second of the beauty of our state’s semi-wilderness in fall colors.
What do you do in your regular life outside of LMNGBR?
I retired from the U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services about four years ago. I enjoy fishing, birding, bird photography, cooking and a little carpentry. Several years ago my wife gave me certificates for photography lessons from Amy Shutt. Amy saw my interest in birds and introduced me to her ornithologist husband, Dr. Van Remsen. I have had the good fortune to accompany him on some bird counts and even photograph a few rare birds. Van suggested I take Jane Patterson’s birding class and I gained another bird expert friend.
Please tell us about your famous Brown Booby adventure!
My two fishing buddies and I spend quite a bit of time at Lac des Allemands. They had become accustomed to stopping fishing and moving so I could photograph an eagle, osprey or any of the abundant birds on and around the lake. One week I was unable to accompany them and they noticed a bird they had never seen on the lake and texted me a picture. When I saw it was a brown booby, I forwarded the picture to Dr. Van Remsen. The next morning Van and I met my friends, found the bird and verified it was a brown booby whose normal territory is in the open seas of the Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean. I’m pretty sure that prior to my “forced” birding on them, they wouldn't have noticed it was rare unless it was penguin. The booby stayed there about a month. It created a problem for us because its favorite perch was our favorite fishing spot. We decided to let it have the spot in exchange for a few pictures.
Mike was recently spotted at the first annual Purple Martin Day - read the news article
Class: Spring 2018
Mike joined LMNGBR with the Spring 2018 class, and enjoys volunteering at the certification workshops and promoting our group and mission at public events. He also doesn't mind sweating and getting his hands dirty with the Habitat Restoration Committee.
What is your favorite habitat?
The wetlands of South Louisiana. I love looking out into the woods and seeing all the native trees draped in Spanish moss with an undergrowth of palmettos along with all the critters and birds that make up the ecosystem. This past week we made a 70-mile roundtrip boat ride from Pierre Part to Morgan City to do a bird count. We saw thousands of birds including 14 bald eagles and I enjoyed every second of the beauty of our state’s semi-wilderness in fall colors.
What do you do in your regular life outside of LMNGBR?
I retired from the U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services about four years ago. I enjoy fishing, birding, bird photography, cooking and a little carpentry. Several years ago my wife gave me certificates for photography lessons from Amy Shutt. Amy saw my interest in birds and introduced me to her ornithologist husband, Dr. Van Remsen. I have had the good fortune to accompany him on some bird counts and even photograph a few rare birds. Van suggested I take Jane Patterson’s birding class and I gained another bird expert friend.
Please tell us about your famous Brown Booby adventure!
My two fishing buddies and I spend quite a bit of time at Lac des Allemands. They had become accustomed to stopping fishing and moving so I could photograph an eagle, osprey or any of the abundant birds on and around the lake. One week I was unable to accompany them and they noticed a bird they had never seen on the lake and texted me a picture. When I saw it was a brown booby, I forwarded the picture to Dr. Van Remsen. The next morning Van and I met my friends, found the bird and verified it was a brown booby whose normal territory is in the open seas of the Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean. I’m pretty sure that prior to my “forced” birding on them, they wouldn't have noticed it was rare unless it was penguin. The booby stayed there about a month. It created a problem for us because its favorite perch was our favorite fishing spot. We decided to let it have the spot in exchange for a few pictures.
Mike was recently spotted at the first annual Purple Martin Day - read the news article
Lena
Class: Fall 2018
What is Your Favorite Flora and Fauna?
Previously, I would have said any orchid. But, after the tour of the Hilltop Arboretum, I've found that I have an appreciation for Pleopeltis polypodioides aka Resurrection Fern. I love ferns, but this one in particular strikes me because of it's resilience and its growth patterns. As far as fauna, I like wolves (I like their social makeup, their strength, and their ability to thrive sans human intervention), spiders (their habits and evolutionary adaptation), and snakes (the species variation is astounding and I'm really just fascinated by their scales and biological makeup). The common thread (among the fauna) is that these species are regarded as those without personalities or that live to survive, but more and more one realizes that they do have high functioning brains and personalities beyond their will to survive. Since starting this program, I've begun to like amphibians and I now have a new appreciation for moths!
Which workshop is your favorite (so far)?
I can't really say. River Dynamics really took the cake for me but the Allen Acres workshop (Nocturnal Naturalist & Arthropods) will forever be a warm memory and amazing learning experience. Also, even though I'm not a bird-lover, I did enjoy the workshop at the LSU Natural History Museum and learning about magnetism and migration patterns.
What do you do outside of LMNGBR?
I swim with dolphins and train unicorns when I'm not working or in the gym. I also enjoy reading, live music events, and being out in nature as much as possible.
What did you enjoy about the certification training?
I enjoy the diversity of presenters and coordinators. Everyone has their own way of providing context and conveying a point. I am also something of a history buff, so being able to get bits and pieces to put into a historical framework (especially to understand how and why the rivers and lands are managed and in need of restoration) is really exciting to me - especially when they're delivered in more of a Socratic method versus straightforward reading material or something boring like that.
Why did you volunteer to coordinate the Forest Ecology workshop?
I chose to volunteer to coordinate the Forest Ecology primarily because I love the Tunica Hills area. I have hiked Clark Creek many times and am familiar with the environment in that area. I also see this as an opportunity to learn more about the area and I'd love to impart any gems onto the coming classes (and participants) - hopefully they will enjoy and love the area as much as I do!
Class: Fall 2018
What is Your Favorite Flora and Fauna?
Previously, I would have said any orchid. But, after the tour of the Hilltop Arboretum, I've found that I have an appreciation for Pleopeltis polypodioides aka Resurrection Fern. I love ferns, but this one in particular strikes me because of it's resilience and its growth patterns. As far as fauna, I like wolves (I like their social makeup, their strength, and their ability to thrive sans human intervention), spiders (their habits and evolutionary adaptation), and snakes (the species variation is astounding and I'm really just fascinated by their scales and biological makeup). The common thread (among the fauna) is that these species are regarded as those without personalities or that live to survive, but more and more one realizes that they do have high functioning brains and personalities beyond their will to survive. Since starting this program, I've begun to like amphibians and I now have a new appreciation for moths!
Which workshop is your favorite (so far)?
I can't really say. River Dynamics really took the cake for me but the Allen Acres workshop (Nocturnal Naturalist & Arthropods) will forever be a warm memory and amazing learning experience. Also, even though I'm not a bird-lover, I did enjoy the workshop at the LSU Natural History Museum and learning about magnetism and migration patterns.
What do you do outside of LMNGBR?
I swim with dolphins and train unicorns when I'm not working or in the gym. I also enjoy reading, live music events, and being out in nature as much as possible.
What did you enjoy about the certification training?
I enjoy the diversity of presenters and coordinators. Everyone has their own way of providing context and conveying a point. I am also something of a history buff, so being able to get bits and pieces to put into a historical framework (especially to understand how and why the rivers and lands are managed and in need of restoration) is really exciting to me - especially when they're delivered in more of a Socratic method versus straightforward reading material or something boring like that.
Why did you volunteer to coordinate the Forest Ecology workshop?
I chose to volunteer to coordinate the Forest Ecology primarily because I love the Tunica Hills area. I have hiked Clark Creek many times and am familiar with the environment in that area. I also see this as an opportunity to learn more about the area and I'd love to impart any gems onto the coming classes (and participants) - hopefully they will enjoy and love the area as much as I do!
Ken
Class: Spring 2016
Through trial and error in his home garden, Ken has been exploring what plants butterflies prefer. If you have any questions about plants for pollinator gardens and raising butterflies, Ken is your guy. Four years ago, Ken created a Facebook group for local butterfly enthusiasts and it is very popular and recently expanded to include the entire state. Feel free to join the Louisiana Butterflies and Moths group!
Read more from inRegister Magazine
Class: Spring 2016
Through trial and error in his home garden, Ken has been exploring what plants butterflies prefer. If you have any questions about plants for pollinator gardens and raising butterflies, Ken is your guy. Four years ago, Ken created a Facebook group for local butterfly enthusiasts and it is very popular and recently expanded to include the entire state. Feel free to join the Louisiana Butterflies and Moths group!
Read more from inRegister Magazine
Katherine
Class: Founding Member 2015
LMNGBR President, Katherine Gividen, was recently interviewed on the Baton Rouge Sierra Club's Environmental Update radio show on WHYR Community Radio 96.9 FM. They talk about various aspects of the Master Naturalist program, back yard nature, cool places to visit and more. Even Jane Seymour (A.K.A. Jane Patterson) gets a mention! :)
Listen to her interview
Class: Founding Member 2015
LMNGBR President, Katherine Gividen, was recently interviewed on the Baton Rouge Sierra Club's Environmental Update radio show on WHYR Community Radio 96.9 FM. They talk about various aspects of the Master Naturalist program, back yard nature, cool places to visit and more. Even Jane Seymour (A.K.A. Jane Patterson) gets a mention! :)
Listen to her interview
Lauren
Class: Founding Member 2015
Lauren has a passion for foraging for wild edibles and educating people about the plants around us.
"While the local foods movement has helped spark interest in foraging for wild edibles, most people lack experience. Hull says there’s a societal phenomenon called “plant blindness,” or a general tendency to be less aware of plants than animals. People appreciate cultivated shrubs and flowers and backyard vegetables, but knowledge often stops there, despite the long history of plants used as food and medicine."
Read the full story published in 225 Magazine
Class: Founding Member 2015
Lauren has a passion for foraging for wild edibles and educating people about the plants around us.
"While the local foods movement has helped spark interest in foraging for wild edibles, most people lack experience. Hull says there’s a societal phenomenon called “plant blindness,” or a general tendency to be less aware of plants than animals. People appreciate cultivated shrubs and flowers and backyard vegetables, but knowledge often stops there, despite the long history of plants used as food and medicine."
Read the full story published in 225 Magazine