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Louisiana Master Naturalists Urged to Submit Art Works to Drawn to Nature Exhibition!
Are you a Master Naturalist with a passion for capturing the wild beauty of the Pelican State through your art? Atelier de la Nature is officially inviting you to participate in their upcoming spring group exhibition,
"Drawn to Nature: Artist Naturalists Celebrating Louisiana's Biodiversity". For centuries, the unique ecosystems and vibrant species of Louisiana have served as a profound muse for artists. This special exhibition seeks to bridge the gap between history and the present, showcasing how our state’s flora and fauna continue to inspire the creative spirit. A Dialogue Between Eras This exhibition offers a rare opportunity to see contemporary works displayed alongside pieces by legendary historic artist-naturalists who once documented the species of Louisiana. Featured historic artists include:
Your modern perspective as a graduate of the Louisiana Master Naturalist program will stand as a testament to the enduring legacy of naturalist art in our region. Exhibition Timeline & Key Dates: The exhibition will coincide with the 2026 Louisiana Master Naturalist Rendezvous and will culminate in a celebration during the Fête de la Nature BioBlitz. Drop-off Deadline: Saturday, April 4, 2026 (or before) Exhibition Close: Runs through May 2, 2026 Pick-up Date: Sunday, May 3, 2026 (or after) Submission Guidelines The Atelier is looking for polished, professional presentations of your naturalist-inspired art: Format: All works must be framed and ready to hang. Scale: There is no strict limit on scale. Multiple Entries: If you wish to submit more than one piece, please reach out to coordinate. Have questions? Reach out to Brandon Ballengée at brandon.ballengee[@]gmail.com for more details on how to participate. Remove the brackets for the active email. Visit Atelier de la Nature 1050 Andrew Gautreaux Road Arnaudville, Louisiana, 70512 www.atelierdelanature.org Join in honoring the scientific and artistic wonder of Louisiana's wild spaces. We can't wait to see the world through your eyes!
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 Left: Carolina Parrot, Plate 26 from the Bird of America by John James Audubon, Princeton Edition, offset lithograph on watercolour paper, 1985, hand-embellished. Right: Crow Poison by Susan David, silkscreen limited edition, tan Arches, 2025, Hand-embellished. by Brandon Ballengée
Atelier de la Nature invites you to this group exhibition featuring works by historic artists/naturalists John James Audubon (1785-1851), Mark Catesby (1683-1749), Lorenz Oken (1779-1851), Rex Brasher (1869-1960) and others that depicted Louisiana species, alongside contemporary artists that have taken the Louisiana Master Naturalist program including Susan David, Martha Garner, Carey Hamburg. David Herbert, Chris Kingwell, and others. The ecosystems and species of our state have been the subjects of art for centuries and continue to inspire artists today. The exhibition will be on view during the 2026 Louisiana Master Naturalist Rendezvous organized by the Acadiana Master Naturalists and run through May 2nd as part of the Fete de la Nature Bioblitz held May 2nd at Atelier de la Nature. An artist reception with wine and cheese will be held for Rendezvous participants on Saturday April 12 from 3 to 4 PM Venue Address: Atelier de la Nature 1050 Andrew Gautreaux Road, Arnaudville, Louisiana, 70512 www.atelierdelanature.org https://www.facebook.com/atelierdelanature  Image generated with Copilot and further edited by C. Paxton 1-12-26 Join us where science meets art in the heart of the Cajun bayou country! Registration for LMNA Rendezvous in Acadiana is now open. Please find all the information you need to register at Rendezvous 2026 webpage!
The Massive Atchafalaya Wetland Region -- Larger than the Everglades. The Atchafalaya Basin is the largest river swamp in North America, spanning nearly 1.4 million acres. As an "overflow alluvial swamp," the water levels rise and fall dramatically with the seasons, creating a dynamic ecosystem that is constantly changing. A Global "Bird Superhighway" — The Basin is a critical stopover on the Mississippi Flyway. See it in Spring 2026! The Numbers: Over 270 bird species have been recorded here. It holds the largest nesting concentration of Bald Eagles in the south-central U.S. and serves as a vital nursery for Prothonotary Warblers, Roseate Spoonbills, and Wood Storks. Iconic Wildlife — The Basin is the primary stronghold for the Louisiana Black Bear (the inspiration for the "Teddy Bear"). It’s also home to:
A Living Laboratory for Naturalists --Managed for flood control by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the basin is at the center of complex environmental and engineering debates. For a nature lover, it’s a masterclass in how humans and hydrology interact — from the massive Old River Control Structure to the efforts of "Basinkeepers" to protect water quality and flow.  A salute in the style of Caroline Dormon’s own botanical paintings. A wreath of some Louisiana native plants she championed—wild azaleas, pitcher plants, and ferns—tied with a bright red ribbon, produced by Gemini™ for C. Paxton Who is your choice for the 2026 Caroline Dormon Outstanding Louisiana Naturalist Award?In the spirit of Caroline Dormon—pioneer, educator, and conservationist—we are seeking the next recipient of this prestigious honor!
Nominate a deserving naturalist by January 9, 2026. Criteria for Nomination:
Download the form and view full details by clicking: THE DORMON AWARD www.louisianamasternaturalist.org/the_dormon_award.html 
Marty Floyd has shared the provisional CENLA Master Naturalist Program calendar and asked interested parties to email him at progne99(at)aol.com for more information. Exchange the (a) for @ for the valid email.
Date Place Subject(s) Instructor(s) May 15 Westside Library Intro/Citizen Science M D Floyd/ M A Reddoch May 31 Arboretum Tree ID/Black Bear K Hollier/C Jones Jun 14 LDWF Ed CentSoils/Geology M Mouton/D Williamson Jun 28 Fts Randolph + Buhlow Native Plants/Invasives Mohamed + D Moore " " Fts Randolph + Buhlow Benjamin Vidrine Jul 19 Sunset Birds E Johnson Aug 9 Tunica Biloxi Marksville Crawfish/Indigenous J Huner/R Lopez Aug 22-24 Allen Acres (Pitkin) Native Plants/Moths Charles Allen Sep 6 Booker Fowler Fish/Geocaching T Jeppson/M D Floyd Sep 20 Pollack Pine Ecology/Pinesnake E Smith Oct 4 ???? Herps/?? B Glorioso/?? Oct 17-19 Rockefeller Refuge Coastal Rest./ Alligators P Trosclair/M D Floyd Nov 8 Kisatchie (Longleaf Vista) Moss/Fern/Fungi K. Patton  Photos and text by Anne Lutz of Louisiana Master Naturalists Northwest What a weekend at the 2025 Louisiana Master Naturalist Rendezvous ! A big thank you to LMNGBR!From the first bird walk at dawn to the last call of frogs at night, this weekend was a living tapestry of the wild places and creatures we work to understand and protect. Saturday was packed with discovery: • We tracked early migrants on foot with Alex Landry, listening not just with our ears but with our instincts sharpened. • Jane Patterson showed us how even a backyard, thoughtfully planted, can stitch itself back into the fabric of the larger ecosystem. • Kevin Langley opened the world of bees — secret lives structured by pheromones, sisterhood, and ceaseless labor. • Janine Kharey and Katherine Gividen inspired us to look closer at the winged travelers among us, tagging monarchs and cataloging the fluttering pulse of our landscapes. • Dr. Chris Woodward turned myth into science during his seminar on snakebites — reminding us that education and respect are the true antidotes to fear. • Hands were in the soil with Lori Radunzel-Davis as we reclaimed ground from invasive species, while Rees Conce led us through the silent architecture of fungal networks. • The Wild Ones of Greater Baton Rouge and Janie Braud reminded us that every observation — each butterfly, each native bloom, each iNaturalist post — is a data point in the story of conservation. • Chris Austin took us across oceans and into the dense unknown of Papua New Guinea, where entire species await first description.
Bird banding at Bluebonnet offered an intimate glimpse at migration in motion — tiny ambassadors of resilience and instinct. Throughout it all, the best part was the people — Master Naturalists from across Louisiana sharing knowledge, swapping stories, and renewing the spirit of stewardship that brought us all here. I hope these photos capture a fraction of the beauty, the curiosity, and the passion that defined this Rendezvous. Here’s to another year of learning, growing, and protecting the natural world we love. Original Facebook Post   by C.Paxton On the evening of Friday Sept. 7, 2024, Kimmie and I went to The Poverty Point World Heritage Site on the kind invitation of Linda Auld (the NOLA Bug Lady, our Caroline Dormon Outstanding Louisiana Naturalist of the year 2024) to participate in the first ever butterfly survey there under the auspices of expert Louisiana Lepidopterist, author and environmental educator Craig Marks! The driving rain cleared for a glorious, blazing sunset over the sacred mounds area while a rainbow arced North to South, seemingly connecting sky to ground over the site of the great wooden circle and Bayou Macon. I turned from admiring that phenomenon to see a Great Horned Owl flapping between one patch of forest and another over the clearing of the vast bird mound (Mound A). The sky above Mound A was incendiary, our emotions almost overwhelming and then a large skein of (likely) Shoveler ducks flew south overhead to cap the experience! Basking in the glow of these marvels, we made our way back to the lodge for an evening of camaraderie and moth sheeting with Linda, Dr. Donata Henry and Ben Henry, who were here for a bird count. Linda had prepared a bright blacklight trap against a white sheet for a nocturnal survey of the insect diversity because the site is totally surrounded by agricultural crops of cotton, soybean, corn and sweet potatoes, probably sprayed with pesticides, perhaps by crop dusting. These insects were all released after being documented for her report that will follow in due course. As dusk fell, a nighthawk soared above the lodge, and we observed the night's visitors. The ground-sheet teemed with water insects: swarms of water boatmen, impressive carnivorous Giant Water Scavenger Beetles (Hydrophilus triangularis), and two Uhler's Giant Water Bugs (Lethocerus uhleri) brandishing large pincers! The hanging sheet carried a multitude of micromoths, dung beetles, and a Fork-tailed Bush Katydid (Scudderia furcata) amongst other species. The light-trap net was packed with moths, beetles and wasps. My favorite of the night was a wonderful broken stick mimicking moth called a White-headed Prominent (Symmerista albifrons). Later, we slept in the car, the windows cracked open, secured with mesh, serenaded by the nocturnal sounds. Leopard frogs chuckled and gossiped throughout the night and into the morning. After breakfast, while the Henry's surveyed the birdlife, we did a butterfly count along the trails, led by expert Louisiana Lepidopterist Craig Marks. It was a wonderful experience and we made many other interesting observations, including a possible new fungus record of Genus Gloeomucro for Louisiana. I will never forget this experience, it was a fabulous opportunity to see this wonderful place in the light of its Lepidoptera!
 By Charles Paxton & Danny Newman On a cold December's day in Bawcomville, West Monroe, Louisiana. My wife, Kimmie Paxton, was having a stroll around the backyard to see what she might find going on in nature. In so doing she examined the charred remains of a deciduous stump in the makeshift fire pit that her family had created while clearing out some of her grandfather's outbuildings. Tiny white dots on lemon yellow stalks stood out like pale matchsticks along the top of the perimeter of the blackened stump. On further inspection, these little matchsticks white dots were also on the ground in a patch around the stump throughout the southwestern edge of the burn pile. A bit of macrophotography confirmed her suspicion that it was very likely fungal. She added her observation to iNaturalist listed as 'Fungi'. Upon sharing photos of this strange white fungus to her mom, instead of the expected exclamation of joy, she received a deep-felt, outraged 'eughhh!!!' Perhaps not very surprising, on reflection, as some of these tiny structures resembled leprous toes thrusting up from the charcoal substrate, see http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/193242907. A few days later, on December 9, Kimmie called me outside to photograph these little fungi that she'd found with my DSLR and macro lens, and while there I lifted a board to the left of the fungi and was amazed to see some strange, fiery orange,yellow claw-looking structures emerging from under the board. I lifted a second board and we could see them fully revealed, they were orangeish yellowish fungi covered with little black dots on the side and they looked very weird; we'd seen nothing like them before. As they looked unrelated to the tinier, paler, matchstick palid fungi that she'd found, I posted them as a separate observation ( https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/213846964). The Gulf South Mycological Society ascomycete expert, Danny Newman, was watching as we posted our observations on Inaturalist. He was exactly the right kind of person to be investigating this unusual case. He saw the specimens from both observations and understood what both the matchsticks and the strange, fiery orange claws might be. It turns out that a similar, dung-dwelling fungus had been described from Sri Lanka in the late 1970s, depicted with both forms/stages as what was occurring in our burn pile. The Sri Lankan authors created a new genus called Lindquistia to accommodate the pale matchsticks (the anamorph), which they believed was but an alternate guise of some sturdier, club-like forms in the genus Podosordaria (the teleomorph).  After Danny examined specimens that we then sent him, he sent an exciting reply: "Even just judging by the macroscopic description of the Podosordaria (=Poronia) teleomorph in the [Sri Lankan] paper, it was clear that what you had found was distinct. Theirs is on dung, and is "capitate" (having a sterile stipe that is clearly differentiated from a fertile, round "head'). Yours is on burned wood, and is fertile along most of its length. The color is markedly different too, though color is often a weakly diagnostic character, especially when considered in isolation. The microscopic differences between your teleomorph and theirs significantly strengthen the case for these being distinct spp. There are [also] multiple micromorphological features that diverge between the two taxa, including spore shape and size, germ slit prominence, and the apical apparatus." In brief, what we had found in Louisiana was similar to, but distinct from, what had been found and published about in Sri Lanka some 47 years before. Thanks to the help of a Taiwanese alphataxonomist named Dr. Yu-Ming Ju, we recently learned from Danny’s presentation to the Gulf South Mycological Society Summer Foray that our two-stage fungus belongs to a species known as Xylaria phosphorea. Described in 1872 in Victoria, Australia, X. phosphorea was only ever known from its teleomorphic ”claw-” or “club-like” state. No one in over 150 years ever knew it to possess this matchstick (Lindquistia) anamorph, because the two forms had never been observed occurring together. Ours was the first! Moreover, the number of worldwide collections of X. phosphorea is very low, making this an exceedingly rare find, even without the bonus of solving the mycological mystery of its anamorph-teleomorph connection. The matchstick, now with its "flame", ironically found in a burn pit, currently bears the name, Xylaria phosphorea, but Danny and Dr. Ju will soon recombine it in the genus, Poronia, where it rightly belongs.   Saturday, April 13, 2024 in Monroe , LA. LMNA Past-president Dr. Bob Thomas introduced our guest speaker, the Outstanding Louisiana Naturalist of the Year Linda Barber Auld. Auld won by a landslide for her admirable and transformative work in butterfly conservation and education! Her presentation exemplifies a life increasingly dedicated to education and service on behalf of the nation's beleaguered butterflies! See The Dormon Award for the press release!  Linda Barber Auld receiving an admirer's Victory Bouquet from Dr. Bette Kauffman, LMNA and LMN-NE Past-president.  Dr. Gary Stringer identifying a fossil find by Dr. Bette Kauffman as Isurus sp., a Mako shark's tooth from the Late Eocene, 36.5 million years ago. The group's finds will be mounted on display and exhibited at Rendezvous 2024! By C.Paxton Apologies in advance for any errata written here are my own.  Louisiana Master Naturalists Northeast enjoyed an excellent Geology Workshop February 17th, 2024, given by Dr. Gary Stringer, ULM Professor Emeritus of Geology. The subject was "The Prehistoric Megatoothed Sharks of Louisiana" and his illustrated talk was informative and highly stimulating! Dr. Stringer has discovered a great many marine fossils in the course of his research including great sharks' teeth, the spines and crushing teeth of rays, the ear-stones (Otoliths) of fish and the bones of huge prehistoric whales! His publications have firmly established that the Yazoo Clay deposits in the Copenhagen Hills near Columbia are one of the Southeast's richest repositories of Late Eocene fossils including the remains of great sharks and whales, the apex predators of the age! Our lecture conveyed a great introduction to the taxonomy, range and ecological interactions of the giant prehistoric sharks that inhabited the area that we know as Louisiana in the late Eocene. It was fascinating to focus on the physiological characteristics of the teeth.  Dr. Gary Stringer holding the caudal vertebra of an extinct Basilosaurid Whale, Basilosaurus cetoides that he had just found! The classroom portion was conducted at ULM's Hanna Hall, and the field trip was held with special permission at Nature Conservancy Louisiana's Copenhagen tract, Caldwell Parish, not far from the Ouachita River. Despite low temperatures and high winds, it was a great success! Our group leaders wore Orange vests and the fossils were found on the surface without disturbance of the soil or vegetation. Dr. Stringer was kind and thorough in his examination and identification of the specimens that we found, he also kindly presented LMN-NE with some of his finds for the display that will enrich the group's outreach events! Overview: The invertebrate and vertebrate fossils were collected on the surface with no disturbance of plants or soil. The invertebrate fossils were more numerous, which is typical. All invertebrate and vertebrate specimens recovered have been previously described from the site by various researchers and studies, i.e., no new species were found. Furthermore, no unique or rare specimens were recovered on the field trip. The fossils were common and abundant. At the conclusion of the field trip, Dr. Stringer identified the findings of each participant. Results are given below for the entire group including Dr. Stringer. Taxa and number found: Invertebrates Coelenterates (corals) Balanophyllia irrorata (39 specimens, the most abundant coral at the site) Flabellum cuneiforme (27 specimens) Endopachys maclurii (2 specimens) Archohelia sp. (3 specimens) Bivalves (shells): Venericardia planicosta (24 specimens) Cubitostrea trigonalis (46 specimens, primarily broken; oyster shells) Glycymeris sp. (1 specimen) Chlamys nupera (2 specimens, broken) Thaumastoplax sp. (2 specimens) Atrina jacksoniana (3 specimens; internal casts) Teredo sp. (10 specimens) Gastropods (shells) Calyptraphorus relatus (2 specimens) Clavilithes humerosus (4 specimens) Architectonica alveata (1 specimen) Athleta petrosa (1 specimen) Pseudoliva vetusa (1 specimen, broken) Turritella sp. (14 very small specimens) Scaphopods (tusk shells) Dentalium mississippiense (1 specimen) Trace fossil Burrow (unknown origin) (2 specimens) Vertebrate remains Myliobatis (1 small specimen of crusher tooth of eagle ray) Shark coprolites (10 specimens; fossilized fecal material) Shark teeth (4 specimens; 3 of Isurus and 1 of Carcharhinus) Basilosaurus cetoides (whale remains; several small pieces of non-identifiable bone; 2 small pieces of ribs; one partially complete vertebra) Zygorhiza kochii (small whale at Copenhagen; possible part of centrum of a small vertebra) Some of the particles that washed off our specimens included the following microfossils that Dr. Stringer kindly identified as Foraminifera, commonly called 'Forams'; he explained these were amoebae that could secrete calcium carbonate. |
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