Louisiana Master Naturalists of Greater New Orleans

Welcome to the fall class of 2025!

One of our newest members, Alease Aloe Lee, said, "I also want to add, to the facilitators, Janell, and everyone behind the scenes curating this program, this has been nothing short of amazing. I think LMN has a new Number 1 Fan. This entire program has been so thorough and rewarding. The educators contain a wealth of knowledge and experience that affirms I have chosen the right career in life. I enjoy how each workshop is different, but some information repeats so we can really lock it into our ways of thinking as a naturalist. Traveling through Southeast Louisiana is such a treat, and I cannot wait for someone to ask me about this program so I can rave about it! I can't wait to continue on my naturalism journey. Thank you for everything you do!"

Reflection by Laura Leigh Blackstone

As we paddled around the marsh in our canoes, Tyrone encouraged us to stop and listen. Picture this. We are a group of 10 to 12 in our life jackets, paired up in a small flotilla. There are tendrils of underwater plants floating near the surface. Overhead, we see the occasional osprey or heron sail overhead. The marsh banks brim with waves of spartina grasses. We listen. There is the croak of the heron in flight. The breeze rustles the marsh grasses. It is a gentle swoosh that seems almost like a sound memory from a past life. I contemplate the rareness of stillness and
silence in our modern lives. I wonder what we are losing when we are constantly engulfed by the sounds of our human industriousness. When we paddle into a shrubby area, we encounter the calls of the red-winged blackbird. I associate their insect-like trilling with childhood. I grew up in rural north Louisiana next to a small man-made fishing pond. The red-winged blackbirds loved to hide in the tall grasses and perch in the cypress. They were magical to me with their bright wing
flashes and their group calls. Our pond had a little levee surrounding it and wild irises my grandfather had planted down near the water’s edge. We sometimes used our cane poles to fish for brim from that little levee. Near dusk, we could fish to the sounds of the red-winged blackbirds singing. Until recently, I was unaware that these red-winged blackbirds live all over the U.S. in mostly marshy areas. We began camping around the country in our van six years ago. At first, we ventured along the Gulf Coast. Because I have lived all of my adult life in the city of New Orleans, I
had rarely encountered my red-winged blackbirds. They are not birds that visit backyard bird feeders. Suddenly, they seemed to be the welcoming committee on our travels. From Dauphine Island to Fort Pickens to Appalachicola, we were even encountering communities of these marsh dwellers. Sometimes we even found trails named after them. Later we drove through the U.S. to Maine. Whenever we camped near a marshy area, we were able to enjoy their familiar calls. Now, whenever I hear them sing, I feel my mood lift. The sound has a curious effect. I will start to smile even before my brain says “Oh, that’s the red-wing blackbird!” I am unconsciously associating their calls with beautiful moments from my past.

photo by Cephas on wikipedia commons
This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported, 2.5 Generic, 2.0 Generic and 1.0 Generic license.

More images from the Annual Gathering in October at Bogue Chitto State Park.

Save the Date for next year! -

LMNGNO Annual Gathering 2026

Next year's LMNGNO Annual Gathering is scheduled for November 6-8, 2026 at Bogue Chitto State Park.

The Annual Gathering is a chance for the LMNGNO to spend a weekend together in nature. We will have talks, excursions, and hands-on activities, as well as free time to relax and explore. More details (schedule and registration information) to come.

Questions: Contact Byron Almquist at [email protected].

The Louisiana Master Naturalists of Greater New Orleans invite you to their upcoming event:

LMNGNO November Social


The LMNGNO social is a relaxed, informal opportunity to connect and catch up with fellow naturalists. Everyone is welcome, including friends and family of all ages. Grab some food and/or beverages and hang out! Come and go as you please.

Date: Wednesday, November 19th

Time: 6:30-8:30 PM

Address: Dat Dog (5030 Freret St, New Orleans, LA 70115, USA)

Details: There is an indoor dining room and large, partially-covered patio. Meat, seafood, vegetarian, and vegan food options are available. They serve both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Order at the counter. https://www.datdog.com/freret-street

Questions: Contact Janna Wisniewski at [email protected]

Just a few of the great images from the LMNGNO Annual Gathering in October, at Bogue Chitto State park. Please feel free to id or put reflections in the comments! More will be posted soon.
Stay tuned for info about next year's Annual Gathering!

LMNGNO profiled in The Advocate!

This statewide naturalist program is educating Louisiana citizens about flora and fauna This Louisiana naturalist association trains everyday people in nature education, creating an informed group of citizens that understand the state's ecosystems.

Stay tuned for the next Social!

The Wetlands Radio Listening Party is one week away, Tuesday, November 4, at the Jazz Museum at the Old US Mint!

Live music with Greg Schatz and Denise Bonis at 5:30.
Episode listening starts at 6 pm.
Q&A at 8 pm — all your coastal restoration questions answered!
Cash bar and nibbles by Peche.

Tell your people!

Sign up on Point:
https://dash.pointapp.org/events/449181

LMNGNO October Social !

The LMNGNO social is a relaxed, informal opportunity to connect and catch up with fellow naturalists. Everyone is welcome, including friends and family of all ages. Grab some food and/or beverages and hang out! Come and go as you please.

Date: Wednesday, October 29th

Time: 6:30-8:30 PM

Address: Dat Dog (5030 Freret St, New Orleans, LA 70115, USA)

Details: There is an indoor dining room and large, partially-covered patio. Meat, seafood, vegetarian, and vegan food options are available. They serve both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Order at the counter. https://www.datdog.com/freret-street

Questions: Contact Janna Wisniewski at [email protected]

Sign up on Point.

UNO’s UNO Shea Penland Coastal Education and Research Facilitya Penland Coastal Education and Research Facility (CERF) received a check last week from Gulf Coast Bank’s Auctions in August for over $3,000! With donations included, CERF received over $5000! THANK YOU to the UNO Alumni Association, and all LMNGNO members and friends who support the unique and amazing resource that is CERF - and Dinah Maygarden!

The Butterflies and Skippers study group’s October excursion was to the Woodlands Conservancy in Belle Chasse. Gulf fritillaries definitely won the day, with countless adults and even some caterpillars spotted. We also saw many cloudless sulphurs and sleepy oranges, as well as a few Carolina satyrs, grey hairstreaks, and an unidentified skipper. We couldn’t resist a demonstration of antlion larvae hunting strategy from Dr. Thomas, leading us to conclude that we don’t really do butterfly walks, we do butterfly-focused walks!

It was really interesting to see the difference between City Park in September and Woodlands Conservancy in October- just a totally different profile of butterflies and skippers.

A reminder that LMNGNO has a new website!
Check it out:

Louisiana Master Naturalists – Greater New Orleans Dive deep into Louisiana’s unique natural history with our comprehensive certification program. Learn directly from experts through engaging lectures and immersive field workshops exploring the diverse ecosystems of Greater New Orleans.