Local Conservation Heroes at ANROSP

C.Paxton

LMNA's Janie Braud of Greater Baton Rouge represented us at ANROSP's August meeting today (8-13-26) by presenting on LMNA activities and made me feel proud to be a member of LMNA. As an exemplar project she focused her slideshow on the LMNGBR's Local Conservation Heroes project, a subject dear to her heart in which she has invested a lot of her time and energies, over 100 hours by my calculations!

The project's mission "is to record, preserve, and present the stories of people who have demonstrated dedication to the conservation of nature in the Greater Baton Rouge and surrounding area in order to expand the public’s understanding of past conservation efforts and inspire sustainable practices to protect nature for the future."

After completing initial training with an archivist at the local library and the careful establishment of guidelines and procedures by their committee, they practiced at her house and honed their skills. Several interviews were successfully completed with 3 different interviewers on their team in connection with the LSU Oral History Library and some additional training from LSU. It is important that the storage of the recordings be securely archival.

As of writing they have recorded and transcribed 13 interviews and have thus contributed to the preservation of important historical records of Louisiana's Naturalists to inspire and enthrall our current and future generations!

Janie's presentation was well-received, and stimulated conversation about her work, and emulation throughout Louisiana's regions and across the nation!

Janie has agreed to present on the subject at a Nature Notes Zoom meeting in due course.