The LMNA thanks the SWLA Master Naturalists for a very fine Rendezvous 2023! Through excellent planning, logistics and thorough care for our experience, the home team delivered rich and varied contact with nature in diverse local habitats and also some star gazing which was literally out of this world!
For registered members of an LMNA chapter's certification program and their registered guests, this Rendezvous offered unique opportunities for guided outdoor field experiences thanks to our local experts stationed along the Creole Nature Trail! With Southwest LMNA we enjoyed some of the finest natural history experiences this state has to offer!
The MainStay Suite Hotel 700 Main Street, Hackberry, LA 70645, provided comfortable and spacious accommodation and sturdy breakfasts for our adventures in Louisiana's glorious Southwest! |
A warm welcome from Barbara Morris, Chair of the 2023 Rendezvous Committee.
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Rendezvous 2023 Facebook Group
Fellowship, news updates and the Photo Contest appeared in a private Facebook group here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/lmnarendezvous2023
Fellowship, news updates and the Photo Contest appeared in a private Facebook group here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/lmnarendezvous2023
2023 Caroline Dormon Award for Outstanding Louisiana Naturalist!
Dr. Vidrine exemplifies what it means to be an outstanding Louisiana Naturalist. He is a leading light in Cajun Prairie and coastal conservation, has taught over 10,000 students, uncovered new species of rotifers, has expanded scientific frontiers of knowledge in the study of: freshwater mollusks, leprosy in armadillos, parasitology, forensic paleo-archeology and the natural history of the Cajun Prairie.
Events Schedule At
Hackberry Community Center
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Friday, April 21
2.00 pm Table set-up. 4:00 Registration begins (state people) Raffles open 5:00 - 6:00 Silent Auction and Raffle open 5:00 - 6:30 Social and light dinner of sandwiches provided by Cameron Parish Tourism and Brown’s Grocery. Salad, fruit and cheese trays, tea and water. Our thanks to the following speakers: 6:30 Bette Kaufman Welcome 6:45 Barbara Morris Welcome to SWLA 7:00 Lori Marinovich, Welcome & introductions of Field Guides and description of Saturday. 7:30 Andy Tingler, History of Cameron Parish 8:00 Scooter Trousclair, Ecology of Coastal Louisiana 8:30 Star gazing with Gary Kratzner Saturday, April 22 6:30 -7:00 Tours begin. Staggered every 30 minutes to various sites. 12:00 Lunch boxes in the field 3:00 Return to hotel 4:00 Board meeting at conference center 5:00 Raffle and Silent Auction open at conference center 6:00 Raffle and Silent Auction close 6:30 Dinner provided by Brown’s Grocery. Jambalaya, Seafood pasta, Salad, vegies, bread and dessert. 6:15 - 6:45 Raffle and Auction winners announced. 7:00 Business meeting, Award Ceremony, 7:30 Keynote Speaker Invitation to Rendezvous 2024 7:45 Sunset Sunday, April 23 10:00 -1:00 Tour of Soggy Prairie Stalks and Seeds Some Site Leaders' Bios 
2023 Bioblitz!
Our thanks to Robby Maxwell for organizing our iNaturalist project in the Southwest this year and to all who contributed.
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Our thanks to Katherine Gividen for being LMNA photo contest chair.
Check out the 2023 Photo contest entries here! A big thank you to our Group Car Leaders: Pam Langley, Keith Greenlee, Dan Plummer.
By car pooling, our visitors could concentrate on looking at the wildlife and parking pressure at the sites was reduced. Our thanks to Kathleen Simon for delicious catering!
Silent Auction 2023 Many thanks to Belinda and Larry Janeski for organizing our silent auction 2023. Chapters provided items from their areas to offer at the silent auction this year! The bidding was intense. A big thank you to all who donated and bought! |
Field Trips |
Field Trip Guides |
Blue Goose Walking Trail |
Sarah Baker, Theresa Cross |
Sabine Wetland Walkway |
Irvin Louque, Brian Early, Scooter Trousclair |
Peveto Bird Sanctuary |
Charlotte Chehotsky, James Smithers, |
Little Florida Beach |
Carolyn Miller, Beth Rist |
West Cove waterway |
Robby and Danielle Maxwell |
2023 Used Books Table
An LMNA fundraising nature book sale is a regular feature at Rendezvous. 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. There was a nice selection!
Download The Tour Schedule
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© Images on this page courtesy of Nathalie Poole, Barbara Morris, Charles Paxton, Dan Plummer and Brenda LaFleur, the photographers assert their copyrights 2023, all rights reserved.