4-H members canoe along the estuaries of Chef Menteur Pass in New Orleans East and use dip nets to collect macroinvertebrate specimens.

In the heart of Louisiana's coastal wetlands, a unique overnight camp is thriving. Marsh Dawgs Camp offers high school 4-H members from St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes an immersive coastal environmental experience. Over four days and three nights, participants dive into educational activities that connect them with the fragile marsh ecosystems defining southeast Louisiana. For the past eight years, 4-H Agent Wayne Burgess and Louisiana Sea Grant Agent Dominique Seibert have collaborated to develop and refine this program.

“Marsh Dawgs was developed to explain to high school students the importance of Louisiana’s coastal ecosystems and connect them with our commercial fishing industries and their communities,” Burgess said. “One objective is to teach students about the land loss plight in the coastal parishes of Louisiana. Unless youth hunt or fish, they probably have never been on the Mississippi River or in the marshes to see and understand the complex issues of coastal erosion and restoration.”

Each summer, 4-H members explore the wetlands through hands-on learning experiences. The annual camp kicks off at Cypress Cove Marina in Port Sulphur where students board boats to tour the mouth of the Mississippi River. During the tour, youth collect water samples and use scientific instruments to measure water quality, turbidity and air quality. They use plant identification sheets to identify marsh plants such as Roseau cane, an essential wetland species that provides habitat for fish and waterfowl, builds and maintains marsh sediments and protects the marsh from storm surge. The students also conduct scientific collection and measurement of Roseau cane.

After touring the marsh areas, students participate in activities that teach them about the fragile ecosystems of the Mississippi River Delta and the impacts of coastal erosion. Evenings are capped off with night fishing along local piers, often a first-time experience for many participants and a highlight of the camp.

On the second day, students visit the University of New Orleans Coastal Education Research Facility (CERF) and participate in a canoe trip through the estuaries of Chef Menteur Pass, located between Lake Borgne and Lake Pontchartrain. While exploring the brackish water environment, students use dip nets to collect macroinvertebrates specimens, which they identify under microscopes with species keys. They also engage in fish dissection and removal of the otoliths (ear bones) to learn about fish anatomy and determine their age.

Afternoon sessions focus on Louisiana’s commercial fishing, alligator and fur trapping industries in St. Barnard and Plaquemines parishes. Burgess leads a presentation on Louisiana wildlife using pelts and skulls of native mammals, rodents and reptiles, including nutria, raccoons, opossums, alligators, turtles, foxes, coyotes and river otters.

Service learning is an integral part of Marsh Dawgs. Students plant bald cypress trees in the marsh along Bayou Bienvenue using dibbles to make holes for seedlings. These trees help stabilize the marsh and provide a sustainable environment for future growth.

On the final day, participants fish with local charter guides, catching species like red drum, spotted seatrout, black drum and flounder. Guides teach students how to clean and fillet their catch, culminating in a celebratory dinner featuring fried and boiled seafood.

“Marsh Dawgs is an unforgettable trip. Learning how to catch fish nonstop to being neck deep in the Mississippi River has created everlasting memories for me,” said Winnie Le, St. Bernard Parish 4-H Jr. Leader Club president. “This trip is not only super fun, but also an amazing learning opportunity. Without going on this trip, I wouldn’t be as knowledgeable about Louisiana’s coastal erosion and the wildlife in it.”

Camp evaluations highlight the program’s effectiveness. Participants demonstrated an 86.4% increase in their knowledge based on pre- and posttest scores. All participants reported a better understanding of the importance of coastal restoration projects and the dangers that threaten Louisiana’s coast, and 91% expressed a desire to continue learning about Louisiana’s wetlands.

“During my time with Marsh Dawgs, I got to experience many different, amazing learning experiences” said Tatiana Cabrera, a junior leader from St. Bernard Parish. “It was so awesome to participate in activities using scientific equipment to test water quality and planting bald cypress trees to help protect the coastline. The hands-on learning experiences allowed me to not only to make new relationships with my peers, but it also gave me so much insight into protecting the Louisiana coast.”

Marsh Dawg graduates often express gratitude for the program. One participant, Elena Templet, attended the camp in 2018 and recently graduated from LSU with a degree in agricultural extension and education.

“This program had a major impact on me and my life,” Templet said. “When I attended this program, we spent many days on the water fishing, crabbing and exploring. Though this doesn’t sound like much, as a high school student this was extremely engaging and eye opening. This program was one of my motivating factors in choosing my major because it opened my eyes to the issues around me and inspired me to act.”

“Marsh Dawgs has the ability to engage students in a nontraditional setting and lets them experience their environment in a whole new way, that’s quite literally in their backyard” said Dominique Seibert, Marsh Dawgs program planner and Louisiana Sea Grant agent. “We strive to create new adventures for our students each year, while introducing concepts that hopefully inspire them to become our coastal leaders of tomorrow. The skills gained during Marsh Dawgs could follow them throughout their life, and its truly a pleasure to watch these kids get excited about being in Louisiana’s wetlands.”

Group photo of participants.

Marsh Dawgs participants measure turbidity of the water at the mouth of the Mississippi River.

4-H members enjoy nighttime fishing along the docks in lower St. Bernard Parish.

Youth dissect fish to learn about their anatomy and remove ear bones to determine the fish’s age.

Youth plant cypress seedlings in the marshes of Bayou Bienvenue in St. Bernard Parish.

Youth plant cypress seedlings in the marshes of Bayou Bienvenue in St. Bernard Parish.

Marsh Dawgs participants enjoy a boat ride through Bayou Bienvenue in St. Bernard Parish to plant cypress seedlings.

4-H members canoe in Chef Menteur Pass located between Lake Borgne and Lake Pontchartrain.