LOUISIANA MASTER NATURALISTS CONVENE IN PINEVILLE

Louisiana Master Naturalists exploring the rich biodiversity at Camp Hardtner in 2018.

Public invited to opening session
 
March 22, 2022, Alexandria/Pineville – Louisiana Master Naturalist Association will convene its annual statewide meeting called “Rendezvous” Friday, April 1. The public is invited to their opening session 7 – 8:30 p.m. at the Pineville Convention Center.
 
Area residents interested in the natural world and how to conserve it are especially invited to learn about LMNA and how to activate a local chapter. LMNA president Bob Thomas will introduce the organization, talk about its mission and goals, and provide information about how to get involved. LMNA president-elect Bette Kauffman will present information about nearby Camp Hardtner, a rich natural area and resource that is enrolled in the Louisiana Natural Heritage Program.
 
Thomas is a professor of biology at Loyola University and a herpetologist. His research in Belize led to a newly described species of snake being named after him. He is the founder of LMNA and its first president. Kauffman is a professor emerita of communication at the University of Louisiana Monroe. The material she will present is based on her Master Naturalist certification project, which was conducted as part of the process of enrolling Camp Hardtner in the LNH Program.
 
Day two of Rendezvous will be devoted to workshops and field trips, culminating Saturday evening with announcement of the 2022 recipient of LMNA’s Caroline Dormon Outstanding Louisiana Naturalist award. A press release naming the recipient and providing additional information about the award will be provided a few days in advance.
 
Notes to editors:

1. The Louisiana Master Naturalist Association (LMNA) is a 501(3)c umbrella organization that serves seven regional groups or chapters, throughout the state of Louisiana that are tasked with 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.

      These Chapters are: Northwest, Northeast, Central, Greater Baton Rouge, Southwest, Acadiana and Greater New Orleans.   
For more information about the organization, please see our website https://www.louisianamasternaturalist.org

​2. Every year the LMNA members convene annually for a rendezvous weekend of environmental education and fellowship activities. Please see https://www.louisianamasternaturalist.org/rendezvous-2022.html for this year’s itinerary.
 
For more information and related photos please contact:

Charles Paxton
Communications Officer
Louisiana Master Naturalist Association
1-318-3311531
https://www.louisianamasternaturalist.org
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