Following an introduction at the Barataria Preserve Visitor Center, we will visit the estuarine edge of the Preserve via swamp tour boat. Water level allowing, participants will be able to get out onto a floating peat marsh and (later) walk to the edge of a bald cypress swamp. We will address ongoing management projects and related research, with a focus on addressing the increasing influence from the Gulf of Mexico.
After lunch at a picnic area on the natural levee ridge of the Mississippi River distributary that shaped this place, we will explore bottomland hardwood forests growing on higher elevation terrain and bald cypress swamps inhabiting natural levee backslopes. Ecologists with long-term research programs in the park will lead these trail walks. In addition to enjoying these lush wetland ecosystems and their abundant biota, we will visit one of the park’s elevation and hydrology dynamics monitoring stations, and we will learn about other ongoing research and monitoring programs.
Registration Fee: $95
Equipment and Attire: It is hot and humid in southeastern Louisiana in early August and afternoon thunderstorms are common. Mosquitos will be present! We encourage participants to bring your own refillable water bottle, sunscreen, insect repellant, a hat and a lightweight rain poncho. Please wear shoes that can get wet and muddy, long pants, and a button down lightweight long sleeve shirt. Rubber boots are helpful.
Itinerary: 8:00 Bus departs Convention Center 8:45 Arrive at visitors center for orientation to the Barataria Preserve landscape and key regional resource management challenges 10:00 Arrive at launch for swamp boat tour of freshwater marsh and waterway ecosystems. 12:15 Return to Preserve and enjoy box lunch at the Pecan Grove picnic area 1:15 Trail walks led by long-term ecological researchers at the Preserve and the park’s ecologist. Trail walks will address forest dynamics, consequences of rapid sea level rise for biota and ecosystems and for resource management planning, managing invasive species, tropical storm influences and impacts, and more. 4:00 Bus departs the Preserve to return to the Convention Center