| | Meaux Elementary School students watch an offshore supply boat pass through the Freshwater Bayou Locks only a mile from the Gulf of Mexico during a field trip to see the marsh and the lock operations. (Photo by Bruce Schultz) |
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| | Students at LeBleu Elementary School plant a river birch tree. (Photo by Bruce Schultz) |
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| | Students at Meaux Elementary School erect a wood duck nesting box. (Photo by Bruce Schultz) (Click on photo to download larger image.) |
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News Release Distributed 04/09/08
Sixth-grade students from Meaux Elementary School in Vermilion Parish got a better understanding of what they have learned about coastal ecology by taking a field trip to the marsh as part of Youth Wetlands Week, which was March 31-April 4.
They toured the Freshwater Bayou Locks – only a mile from the Gulf of Mexico.
Student Tyler Gachassin summed up the trip by concluding “there’s lots of water.”
He said the outing provided a firsthand look at what they had been taught from coursework provided by members of America’s Wetland Conservation Corps, who are on assignment with the LSU AgCenter.
“In class we’ve been learning about the different kinds of animals, the different kinds of marshes, like intermediate and brackish,” Gachassin said.
On the bus drive through the marsh, LSU AgCenter aquaculture agent Mark Shirley made stops along the way to explain the differences between the fresh, brackish and saline marshes.
The bus driver, Chad Frederick of Forked Island, said he even learned a few things.
“I didn’t realize we have beavers down here,” Frederick said.
At the locks operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Shirley showed the students how the locks prevent saltwater from moving inland. Boats of all sizes have to pass through the 84-foot wide lock structure. Lock tender Robert Rougeaux explained how the computerized system is controlled.
Ashlee Marceaux of the Wetlands Conservation Corps said Youth Wetlands Week has included a wide range of activities, including installation of wood duck boxes, tree planting and class work for Youth Wetlands Week.
“I really want the students to learn respect for our land,” she said. “Many of the children have never been into the marsh. To them it’s a breathtaking experience.”
Teacher Michelle Caldwell said the field trip “was an awesome way to end our week.” She said Marceaux provided material to help with the classroom instruction.
In Calcasieu Parish, students planted trees. At the Lebleu Settlement School, fifth-grade students planted trees in a courtyard under the direction of teacher and 4-H leader Susan Aymond and volunteer 4-H leader Sharon Nabors.
Student Logan Chaisson was enthusiastic about planting river birch and crab apple saplings provided by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.
“It’s good for the environment to help trees,” he said. “It’s going to make it look beautiful here.”
4-H agents across the state recruited schools to take part in Youth Wetlands Week. The America’s Wetland Conservation Corps is a partnership between the LSU AgCenter and the America’s Wetland Campaign. It is supported by a grant from AmeriCorps and is administered by the Louisiana Serve Commission in the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.
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Contact: Mark Shirley at (337) 898-4335, or mshirley@agcenter.lsu.edu
Writer: Bruce Schultz at (337) 788-8821, or bschultz@agcenter.lsu.edu