Louisiana Wetland Education Coalition

Current Events:

We are happy to announce the creation of a new listserve to meet the needs of educators interested in the Louisiana wetlands. An informal group called the Louisiana Wetland Education Coalition (LaWEC) has initiated this tool to help distribute materials and workshop information that are focused on wetlands information and are appropriate for the K-12 education forum (both informal and formal education).

If you would like to join the Louisiana Wetland Education Coalition listserve, sign up.

Photo of the Month:

Leeville Bridge near Grand Isle

LA 1 Coalition

Cool Resources:

Wetland Education through Maps and Aerial Photography

WETMAAP (Wetland Education Through Maps and Aerial Photography), a wetland workshop for educators that provide basic ecological concepts, technological skills, and methods of interpretation necessary for understanding and assessing wetland and upland habitat change.Our objective is to introduce wetland habitats and their functions and values to educators. By providing this wetland workshop to educators, we hope to increase their abilities to promote student awareness of and interest in wetland issues. Workshop participants will explore wetlands by using aerial photography, satellite imagery, and wetland maps and will learn how to introduce traditional mapping techniques into the classroom.

WETMAAP offers a low-cost method of accessing high-tech data and using up-to-date techniques, procedures, and theories for data interpretation and assessment of wetlands. The concept of geographic information systems (GIS) is introduced. Workshop participants or website users have the option to reproduce workshop materials at a minor copy price or to print most of the materials from the website. Through use of the WETMAAP website and workshop (www.rac.louisiana.edu/wetmaap), educators can increase their ability to promote student awareness of and interest in wetland issues.

WORKSHOP COST: FREE

Contact: lindsey_broussard@usgs.gov

Quote of the Month:

And like the human body, the earth has a great resiliency – far greater than many give it credit for. It’s that remarkable resiliency that encourages me – it’s where I find a great deal of hope. What we need now is the political and corporate will to become engaged in the problem.
- Dr. Robert Twilley

a young girl with her arms streched to either side, standing on a rock at a beach

Organization of the Month:

LUMCON

"LUMCON offers many opportunities to teachers and other individuals working with school-aged kids (scouting, youth groups, etc.). Teachers may bring their class to LUMCON for a Field Trip including preplanned activities or a unique schedule designed to suit special needs."

http://www.lumcon.edu/education/K-12/default.asp

If you would like to submit nominations for “Quote of the Month,” “Photo of the Month,” “Cool Resource,” or “Organization of the Month,” please email heidi_hitter@usgs.gov with the information and any necessary reference material.

[The Current Contact is Dave Marks at lacoast@nwrccom.cr.usgs.gov or (337) 266-8623. -Webmaster]