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Beginning in the 1970’s and throughout the 1980’s, 4H agents in Southwest Louisiana got to know and call upon Mr. Paul Jackson to attend club meetings and educate youth about Louisiana’s wildlife and fisheries resources. He also attended 4H camp in Pollock to teach more youth. He was a key person in getting camp to offer the Hunter Safety Program and assured LDWF certified instructors were present and supplies were stocked for camp sessions. He personally spent many days at camp instructing and being a role model for the youth. In 1988 Mr. Jackson was one of the “Marsh Maneuvers Dream Team.” A committee of 4-H agents, LA Sea Grant representatives and administration developed the curriculum for Marsh Maneuvers Camps and developed a plan to have several camp sessions each summer and offer youth from across the state the opportunity to attend camp. Paul helped with funding for food and supplies, transportation logistics, recruiting instructors and chaperones, and arranging facilities. Paul attended many of the Marsh Maneuvers camp sessions at State Wildlife Refuge and Grand Terre each summer and taught hundreds of youth about coastal resources. In addition to the Hunter Safety Program at Camp Grant Walker and Marsh Maneuvers, Paul organized Aquatic Education workshops for teachers. Teachers learned about Louisiana’s natural resources too and ways to transfer that knowledge to their students. Paul’s efforts and genuine interest in teaching youths about Louisiana’s natural resources was renowned in the region and across the state. The LA Wildlife Federation presented him with the Conservation Educator Award in 1985. Epsilon Sigma Pi Extension Fraternity presented Paul with the state Friend of Extension award in 1993 for his efforts developing and maintaining the Marsh Maneuvers program. In 1998, the LA Science Teachers Association bestowed on him the State’s Distinguished Informal Science Education Award. Upon his retirement in 2000, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recognized his long-term accomplishments and impacts as Louisiana’s Aquatic Resources Education Coordinator.
Please join us in welcoming Mr. Paul Jackson to the Louisiana 4-H Hall of Fame!
