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 Please find our News Release. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions, comments or concerns. Sincerely, Charles Contact: [email protected] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 7, 2026 Monroe, Louisiana Larry Allain to Receive the 2026 Caroline Dormon Outstanding Louisiana Naturalist Award The Louisiana Master Naturalist Association (LMNA) announced today that Larry Allain, renowned botanist, prairie restoration expert, and lifelong advocate for Louisiana’s native ecosystems, be the recipient of the 2026 Caroline Dormon Outstanding Louisiana Naturalist Award. The award will be presented during a post‑dinner ceremony on April 11, 2026, from 7–8 p.m. in the Homewood Suites Ballroom in Lafayette, Louisiana. The statewide honor is given annually to an individual whose life’s work reflects exceptional dedication to the study, preservation, and interpretation of Louisiana’s natural heritage. Allain was nominated by Bayli Quick Brosette of Briarwood, The Caroline Dormon Nature Preserve, the historic home of the award’s namesake. A Lifetime Devoted to Louisiana’s Natural World To know Larry Allain is, as colleagues often say, “to know nature itself.” His career spans more than four decades of scientific research, ecological restoration, public education, and hands‑on conservation. Raised on a sugarcane plantation in Jeanerette, Allain’s early fascination with plants grew into a distinguished professional life marked by innovation, curiosity, and service. Allain’s contributions include:
Honoring a Legacy in the Spirit of Caroline Dormon The Caroline Dormon Award recognizes individuals whose achievements echo the legacy of Caroline Dormon—botanist, artist, educator, and one of Louisiana’s earliest conservation champions. LMNA President Katherine Gividen will present the award. “Larry Allain embodies the spirit of Caroline Dormon,” Gividen said. “His scientific rigor, his passion for native landscapes, and his lifelong commitment to sharing knowledge have enriched Louisiana’s natural heritage in profound and lasting ways.” Event Details What: Caroline Dormon Outstanding Louisiana Naturalist Award Presentation Who: Honoring Larry Allain When: April 11, 2026 • 7–8 p.m. Where: Homewood Suites Ballroom, 201 KALISTE SALOOM RD, LAFAYETTE, LA 70508 Presented by: Louisiana Master Naturalist Association Dormon Award dedicated webpage with profiles on current and past winners. 2025 — Nancy Newfield, 2024 — Linda Barber Auld A.K.A “NOLA Bug Lady”, 2023 — Malcolm Vidrine, 2022 — A. James “Jim” Delahoussaye, 2021 — William R. “Bill” Fontenot, 2020 — Kelby Ouchley, 2019 — Vernon Antoine Brou, Jr., 2018 — Dr. Charles Allen. https://www.louisianamasternaturalist.org/the-dormon-award.html 
Photo Caption: Larry Allain leading Acadiana Louisiana Master Naturalists' Pollinators Workshop, photo copyright Acadiana Master Naturalists
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 Curious citizen Jasmine, ‘Jas from the Lab’ observes Question Mark Butterfly (Polygonia interrogationis) in the wild on a NABA Butterfly Count at Black Bayou Lake NWR. It has a characteristic “Question Mark” featured on its hind wing.  I'd like to promote local participation in a global biodiversity survey event, the iNaturalist City Nature Challenge 2026. Many of us are familiar with this from Irvin Louque's Rendezvous presentation and Greater Baton Rouge MN's reports of awesome performance in recent years.
George Gehrig has created a good page about why this is important. This may be something of interest to many of us? Every year there's a global competitive Bioblitz on iNaturalist.org called City Nature Challenge. It's been growing in popularity; each participating city or region counts its nature observations on the iNaturalist platform during a long weekend that this year will be: 2026 Spring CNC ● Friday April 24 - Monday April 27, 2026: Observations made in our participating areas will be included if you join the registered projects: ● Tuesday April 28 - Sunday May 10, 2026: Uploading of images and identification period ● Monday May 11, 2026: Results announced This year the following regional projects are officially registered in Louisiana, so joining these will contribute your observations to CNC: City Nature Challenge 2026: Northwest Louisiana https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/city-nature-challenge-2026-northwest-louisiana City Nature Challenge 2026: Southwest Louisiana https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/city-nature-challenge-2026-southwest-louisiana Please join this if you are attending the LOS Weekend. City Nature Challenge 2026: Baton Rouge Area Region https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/city-nature-challenge-2026-baton-rouge-region The above projects correspond with the boundaries of the Louisiana Master Naturalist Chapters (although there are some overlaps and combinations). George Gehrig (handle https://www.inaturalist.org/people/quovadis) is a former master naturalist and he set up the the Northwest Louisiana CNC project. Because I didn't register a project in time for the NELA Chapter this year, George very kindly created two unofficial CNC Projects to capture observations from: City Nature Challenge 2026: Northeast Louisiana https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/city-nature-challenge-2026-northeast-louisiana City Nature Challenge 2026: Central Louisiana https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/city-nature-challenge-2026-central-louisiana Finally, George’s primary focus is on creating EPA Level III Ecoregion projects, so he created this one for the South Central Plains Ecoregion (SCPBC): https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/2026-spring-south-central-plains-biodiversity-challenge-scpbc This project was the result of a geospatial intersect that mapped the ecoregional boundaries with governmental jurisdictions (states, counties and parishes), done pro-bono by Thomas Bergeron. The CNC maps were done pro bono by Chris Kingwill. You will be able to see from the overall project map, and the individual jurisdictional maps, what part of it corresponds to the ecoregion (in whole, or just partly). Note: You don’t have to “Join” any of the projects for your Observation(s) to automatically be included, and you don’t have to reside in the jurisdiction you make the Observations in (you can them in multiple jurisdictions). The only reason to join is so that you get notifications of “Project Journal” updates. A lot of effort was made to include the relevant project information in the introductory “About “ section. However, additional information can, and is, added after the fact by using the Project Journal feature. For example, one such entry in the SCPBC project discusses the reason for creating projects at the ecoregional level. George is also keen on using the bioblitzes to understand WHO is making the observations, and their level of engagement. To that end, he will compile a list of the Top 3 Observers for each jurisdiction, and the Top 10 for each state, and the Top 25 for the ecoregion (for the SCPBC). Ultimately, his hope is to use this information as a basis for creating a "Biodiversity Hall of Fame" (ones for each school/college/university, school district, state and ecoregion. He posted on FB about this here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17suXts6GK/ Please get in touch with George if you are interested in the "Biodiversity Halls of Fame". It's great to recognize our keen Citizen Scientists and this sense of competition may draw in more young people! Thank you all. Enjoy your time outdoors!  FunDis Rare Southeast Fungi Challenge poster. Can you find any of these rarities? Find Rare Mushrooms, Win Prizes!
The Fungal Diversity Survey needs YOUR help tracking down some of the Southeast's most elusive fungi- and we're making it worth your while! THE CHALLENGE: We've compiled a list of rarely observed and under-recorded fungal species across the Southeast. Your mission? Document as many target species as you can on iNaturalist.org! Every observation you submit helps scientists understand where these rare fungi occur, how they're distributed, and what conservation efforts might be needed. TARGET SPECIES: Wynnea sprassoides, any species of Gloeomucro, Wrightoporia austrosinensis, Wolfina aurantiopsis, Multifurca ochricompacta, Russula lilacipes, Boletus atkinsonianus, Hydrophorus cokeri, Lactarius purpureoechinatus, Pluteus mammillatus, Podoscypha aculeata, Hydnellum geogenium, Polyporoletus sublividus, Mycena carolinensis, Amoenoboletus weberi, Amanita westii, Hygrocybe andersonii, Aureoboletus abruptibulbus, Entoloma gainsvillae, and Poronia phosphorea. THE PRIZE: The observer who documents the most target species in each participating state wins a FREE one-year membership to their local mushroom club! In Alabama, that means joining the Alabama Mushroom Society! Other participating states have their own club partnerships—see full list of participating clubs, prizes and contest rules here: https://docs.google.com/.../12IeqOD8SClpgWUfaqmh1.../edit... WHO CAN PARTICIPATE: Everyone! Whether you're a seasoned forager or just starting your fungal journey, this challenge is a fantastic way to sharpen your ID skills, explore new habitats, and contribute to real scientific research. Plus, there's nothing like a little friendly competition to fuel your forays! HOW IT WORKS: Take a look at the Southeast Rare Fungi Challenge project Get out in the field and start hunting Submit observations through iNaturalist.org IMPORTANT RULES: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12IeqOD8SClpgWUfaqmh19zs6oD0LlMmQvz5a6WA75As/edit?usp=sharing All observations must be submitted via iNaturalist.org Multiple fruiting bodies in the same immediate area count as one observation Duplicate determinations are at the project coordinator's discretion Ties will be broken by random selection Questions? Reach out to Alisha Millican, the Project Coordinator for the Southeast Rare Fungi Challenge at [email protected] Every observation counts! Happy hunting, and may your finds be rare! 📍 Lafayette, Louisiana 📅 April 10–12, 2026
Theme: Rooted in Acadiana. See The Workshops & Presentations Guide PDF If you’ve ever wanted to experience Acadiana’s wild heart in one unforgettable weekend, this is the year to say yes to Rendezvous! Acadiana isn’t just a backdrop — it’s a living classroom, a cultural treasure, and one of the most biodiverse corners of the state. This year’s Rendezvous brings you straight into its prairies, swamps, forests, and creative spaces, guided by the scientists, artists, and naturalists who know it best. 🌅 Start the weekend with science, stories, and Cajun hospitality Kick things off at Max’s with Science on the Bayou, where researchers open the door to the hidden world of viruses — not simply as villains, but as ecological powerhouses shaping life around us. Then settle in for a private screening of Louisiana Grass Roots, a moving documentary about the coastal prairie and the people fighting to restore it. The producer joins us for a Q&A that always sparks big conversations. And when night falls? You’ll be out under the stars at Atelier de la Nature, rotating through moth sheeting, herping, bat watching, and stargazing — a naturalist’s dream evening! 🐦 Saturday morning: Birds, biodiversity, and behind‑the‑scenes access Wake up at Cypress Island Preserve for a bird walk featuring prothonotary warblers and a hands‑on look at a citizen‑science nest‑box project you can replicate at home. Then choose your path:
🌼 Midday: Pollinators, fireflies, and ancient Louisiana Meet the Acadiana Native Plant Project team in their greenhouse, learn how to support native pollinators, and discover how communities can help restore firefly habitat. louisianamasternaturalist.org Then step back in time with Prehistoric Louisiana, a storytelling-rich session that brings ancient ecosystems to life. louisianamasternaturalist.org 🎨 Afternoon: Prairie walks, art, creativity, and hands‑on workshopsAt Atelier de la Nature, wander a restored prairie, explore a sculpture forest, and join artist‑biologist Dr. Brandon Ballengée for a fish‑drawing workshop celebrating Gulf species. Prefer something creative indoors? Try Roots and Quills, a writing workshop that helps you turn nature experiences into stories, or learn the traditional Japanese art of Gyotaku fish printing. louisianamasternaturalist.org Finish the afternoon with an insect showcase or a wine‑and‑cheese reception at Drawn to Nature, an exhibition pairing historic naturalist-artists with contemporary LMN creators. 🍽️ Evenings filled with community and celebration Your registration includes both dinners — Friday’s documentary night and Saturday’s Caroline Dormon Award Banquet, featuring keynote speaker Larry Allain, the 2026 Outstanding Louisiana Naturalist. Great food, great people, and the kind of conversations that remind you why you became a naturalist in the first place. 🎟️ Why people love Rendezvous — and why this year is special
If you’ve been waiting for the right year to join Rendezvous … make this it. Acadiana is calling — with its prairies, its birds, its art, its food, its night skies, and its people. Come learn, explore, and reconnect with the natural world and the LMN community! 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!  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  |
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