Learn About Nature with Louisiana Master Naturalists

Welcome to Louisiana Master Naturalist Association (LMNA).
 Environmental education and service opportunities for you!

Join us in developing a corps of well-informed volunteers to provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within our communities in Louisiana, USA!

What does the Louisiana Master Naturalist Association do?

The LMNA's primary purpose is to offer a statewide program that educates Louisiana citizens about their precious flora and fauna, as well as other aspects of their environment and ecosystems.  Once certified, the Louisiana Master Naturalists are required to use their talents to educate others or assist programs that promote and protect Louisiana's natural heritage.  
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Find Your Local Group
The Caroline Dormon Award
Flora and Fauna
Maps of Louisiana
If you would like to help our group's work via a donation via Paypal, please use this button. Thank you.

The Search is On for Caroline Dormon Outstanding Louisiana Naturalist of The Year 2022!

Who would you nominate for the Louisiana Master Naturalists' most prestigious award?

The LMNA's award nominations committee is accepting nomination forms from now until February 28th.
Please click here for full details 
Portrait of Dormon Prize Winner in 2021, William (Bill) R. Fontenot, photo byJaneene deClouet.
Winner in 2021, William (Bill) R. Fontenot Image courtesy of Janeene deClouet.
​​As museum curator, nature station manager, author, and local columnist for over two decades Bill has helped educate the public about our natural heritage. As an active restoration ecologist, he continues to serve as a transformative exemplar.  Read more in The Dormon Award
Enjoy Studying Nature and Help Protect Your Environment!

 Click Here For LMNA's Annual Get-together,
Rendezvous 2022!

Each year Louisiana Master Naturalist members meet up and enjoy learning and camaraderie at Spring Rendezvous events!
  • LMNA Rendezvous 2022 will be taking place in person from April 1st-3rd 2022 at The Country Inn & Suites, Pineville.  They have kindly set aside a block of rooms for us at ​$89 for a regular room and $99 for a suite. They are mindful of following CDC directions, and we require proof of vaccination to attend our conference and Friday 5.30pm dinner. 
  • Call +1 (318) 641-8332 to book your room/suite.
  • There'll be a great choice of speakers and activities.
  • There'll be a plenary dinner with Keynote speaker.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions on public meetings the LMNA board voted unanimously to postpone the physical Rendezvous event to April 1st-3rd, 2022. It was also decided to instead host a series of fun and educational events and activities throughout the State in April 2021. Visit our digest page for a summary of our events and activities!

Rendezvous 2021 Digest

Who are the Louisiana Master Naturalists?

The Louisiana Master Naturalist Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit group offering opportunities for citizens to expand their knowledge and sharpen their skills in natural history, with special focus on the diverse habitats of the Sportsman's Paradise - Louisiana.  ​"We're part of the solution #ForNature."

With Natchitoches being the state's oldest city (1714) and New Orleans one of the earliest major ports in the U.S. (1718), Louisiana has played a pivotal role in our knowledge of the flora and fauna of North America.  Naturalists arrived on many of the earliest ships and sent specimens of species then new to science back to the museums of the Old World.  Many of the early natural historians traveled Louisiana's byways, as demonstrated by John James Audubon's many contributions to our knowledge of early 1800's biota.
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We encourage you to enter the LMNA certification program and contribute to the well-being and expanding knowledge-base in natural history in Louisiana.  The Master Naturalist training, through its various local chapters, will enable you to learn about the nature of the state's varied physiographic regions, and help you understand the connections among our valued environment, culture, and economy.

We are a member of the Alliance for Natural Resource Outreach Providers (ANROSP)

How do I become a Louisiana Master Naturalist?
LMNA is an inclusive organization, welcoming all adults in Louisiana regardless of gender, color or creed. In order to be certified, you must complete all requirements set forth by your chosen chapter of the LMNA. You can join more than one chapter if you wish.

Each chapter has different but comparable requirements to receive and maintain certification.  To receive certification, you must complete a course (40-60 hours of workshop time), volunteer some of your time to benefit the environment and community, as well as pay modest dues. 

​To maintain your certification, you must annually complete continuing education and volunteer hour requirements and pay dues.
Louisiana Master Naturalists learning about pond life in the environmental education center at Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refugee.
Louisiana Master Naturalists learning about pond life from Dr. Anna Hill in the environmental education center at Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
Master Naturalist students on a boardwalk running through a swamp, learning about snakes from Professor John Carr of ULM who is standing in the swamp.
Master Naturalist students on a boardwalk running through a swamp, learning about snakes from Professor John Carr of ULM.

Where do educational sessions take place?

A screenshot from the LMNGBR Nature Notes Video about Forest Bathing
 LMNA conducts indoor classes and field work. We are a confederation of chapters focused on regions and habitats throughout the state.  Chapters may differ in their content and approach, but the coordination will ensure consistency in quality and focus.  All present a broad overview of the state's natural history, but chapters will vary based on geography.  You may choose whichever you wish.  Chapters share presenters and enjoy co-hosting field trips with other chapters.  We host an annual state gathering - Rendezvous - to meet one another and share knowledge and ideas.

The LMNA Channel is now posting some members' educational presentations online to be enjoyed in the safety of social isolation. 
Click the image above to view Scott Courtright's exemplary presentation on Forest Bathing: Boosting Immunity and Mood, one video in a growing resource library.  Forest Bathing on LMNA Blog.
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State Logo

 While chapters may have their own logo, they are unified under the LMNA logo featuring the Anhinga. The Anhinga is an aquatic bird that may be seen throughout the state of Louisiana and particularly loves swamp environments that are iconic of the state.  Anhingas are sometimes called Snake Birds, as they forage in water, swimming with just the head and neck appearing above the water with a snake-like movement as they move along.  Since they don't have well-oiled feathers, they normally climb out of the water and spread their wings to allow them to dry.  Our logo shows a juvenile Anhinga (note the tan neck and head) in its characteristic drying pose.

Can you give any second-hand books?

An LMNA fundraising nature book sale is a regular feature at Rendezvous. Most of the books are pre-owned and donated by chapter members.  They can vary from field guides to natural history subject related novels. The books are sold at discounted prices and available for purchase at posted times at a Rendezvous table.

Our Origins: Southwest Chapter
Our Origins: Acadiana Chapter
Our Origins: Northwest Chapter 
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A screenshot from Emma Reid's Zoom presentation about her life and work as a film maker.
Emma Reid and Dr. Bob Thomas on a tropical ecology field trip in 2015, a screenshot from her Zoom.

Emma Reid, Award-Winning Documentary Film Maker 
Click linked text above to view on LMNA Channel!

Hosted October 6th, 2021, by Louisiana Master Naturalists of Greater Baton Rouge, this episode of LMNGBR Nature Notes brings us a Zoom presentation by Emma Reid, award-winning film maker of "Finding Common Ground" (Telly Award) and "In The Blind"! Emma studied Environmental Science at Loyola University, New Orleans, and trained as an intern at the Institute of Environmental Communication (IEC). Emma is the 2019 Louisiana Wildlife Federation Conservation Communicator of The Year and is a member of Louisiana Master Naturalists of Greater New Orleans. She is currently employed by Louisiana Public Broadcasting and serves as a swamp tour guide! 

Emma talks about video production / conservation education work and how she saw change coming through the film-making process in "Finding Common Ground". She shares insights into her production of "In The Blind" and her learning about the duck hunting and waterfowl conservation connection.

Emma also announces plans to be producing regular Naturalist podcasts called The Southern Naturalist! Greater New Orleans and IEC encourage members to contact her with program concepts.

Find out more about Emma Reid on LMNA Blog!
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News  from around Louisiana

Louisiana Master Naturalists of Greater Baton Rouge
Louisiana Master Naturalists Northeast

Other state master naturalists associations/programs

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