Environmental Education
We offer environmental education programs through two of our refuges: Big Branch Marsh and Bayou Sauvage. All classroom and on-site programs are FREE of charge.
Big Branch Marsh Educational Programs
Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge offers educational programs for students of all ages. We come to your school for younger students (under 4th grade) and invite teachers and students of upper grades to our educational facility near Cane Bayou. All programs are free of charge and once you have signed up you will be sent a pre-visit package that will help you prepare your students to get the most from their field trip.
Endangered Species - Grades 3 - 6
Classroom, 45 minutes - one hour
Credit USFWS
This program provides a look at why species become threatened and endangered and what can be done to protect them. We’ll look at exotic animals and some species found in our backyard with visuals and actual wildlife items confiscated from illegal world trade.
Creature Features - Grades K - 3
Classroom, 45 minutes - one hour
Creature Features explores the concept of adaptation in some of Louisiana’s native animals. A student will “model” the features of a successfully adapted wetland creature to illustrate biological principles. A live animal can be requested.
Incredible Insect Pollinators - Grades 3 - 4
Classroom, 45 minutes to one hour
Insect pollinators play a significant role in the production of many food crops. This program explores the anatomy of an insect pollinator using one student as our “model.” We’ll also discuss the process of pollination before making our own insect pollinator with art supplies. (Art supplies for 25 students included.)
Refugology - Grades 5 - 6
On-site, 3.5 to 4 hours (including time for lunch)
Students learn to manage a refuge for a day by gathering information as foresters, biologists and a member of the fire crew. After a break for lunch, they’ll use their collected data to make decisions regarding how the land should be managed. They’ll learn the difficulties of trying to maintain a balance that protects the land, animals and people.
To reserve a program for your class or for more information call 985-882-2024 or email us at: jody_demeyere@fws.gov
Bayou Sauvage Educational Programs
There are two kinds of Environmental Education Programs at Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge; Classroom Programs and Refuge Visits.
Location: Bayou Sauvage is located in New Orleans East on Chef Menteur Highway, 3.8 miles east of I-510. We are able to visit any school in Orleans, St. Bernard, Jefferson, St. Charles or St. Tammany Parishes.
Classroom Programs: Please reserve at least two weeks in advance. Contact us for more information about program content. Call toll free at 866-554-6319 or 985-882-2022, from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm weekdays.
Refuge Visits: Environmental education programs on the refuge have resumed.
Reservations: To reserve a program for your class or for more information, call us at the number listed above or email us at: BayouSauvage@fws.gov.
Educational Materials
Delta National Wildlife Refuge CD - "Discovering the Delta - An Interactive Exploration of Delta National Wildlife Refuge." This educational CD-ROM is now available free of charge. Click here for more information.
Waterfowl and Wading Birds Activities - Grades K - 8
Bayou Lacombe Centre Headquarters Property, 30 minutes to one hour
Tour our visitor center and then choose from a number of activities targeted to your class grade. You lead the activities for your group. All instructions, equipment and materials provided. E-mail jody_demeyere@fws.gov for a complete list. Visitor center is located at 61389 Hwy 434, Lacombe, LA 70445.
Junior Ranger
Bayou Lacombe Centre Headquarters Property, approximately 90 minutes
Thursday - Saturday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
The Junior Ranger program takes kids on a self-guided exploration of the beautiful Bayou Lacombe Centre, headquarters for Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuges. The program consists of thirteen self-paced activities on the grounds of the headquarters grounds. All equipment is provided free of charge. When the Junior Ranger booklet is completed each participant is awarded a Junior Ranger badge and certificate. E-mail jody_demeyere@fws.gov for more information. Visitor center is located at 61389 Hwy 434, Lacombe, LA 70445.
Junior Duck Stamp Program - Grades K - 12
The Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program (JDS) is a dynamic arts curriculum that teaches wetlands and waterfowl conservation to students in kindergarten through high school. The program incorporates scientific and wildlife management principles into a visual arts curriculum with participants completing a JDS design as their visual “term papers”. Click here for more information or e-mail the state coordinator jody_demeyere@fws.gov.
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Last Updated on
November 18, 2009