Local 4-H’ers represented Iberville Parish at Marsh Maneuvers, a week-long camp at the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge in Cameron Parish July 8-12.

4-H’ers learned about the biology of estuarine organisms, the conservation of renewable resources such as alligators, menhaden and shrimp as well as the consequences of coastal erosion. During each week of the program, participants led a stewardship project to transplant several thousand smooth cord grass plants into a shallow water area near an abandoned oil field canal close to Avery Island.

4-H’ers learned to throw cast nets, held alligators, caught and boiled blue crabs, grilled fresh fish, and visited the coastal wetlands. Participants learned about the various functions and tremendous value that Louisiana’s wetlands provide to people across the nation.

Local participants were eager to share their newfound knowledge with local youth, so they assisted the LSU AgCenter Extension Service Staff in with designing and implementing the Science Ba-YOU Funshop Series. 4-H’ers from across Iberville Parish attended the special interest workshop series throughout the month of July. The educational series focused on teaching local youth about digital photography fundamentals, environmental science, green living strategies and Louisiana’s coastal wetlands.

Participants traveled to Bayou Sorrel for a “Walk on the Wild Side Swamp Tour” field trip to celebrate the end of the Science Ba-YOU Funshop Series on July 25. 4-H’ers learned about the various ecosystems that thrive in the Atchafalaya Basin. 4-H’ers learned about water quality, bird migration patterns, alligator hunting, the crawfishing industry, cypress logging and dredging. The tour guides spoke about the threats to the long-term integrity of the Atchafalaya’s ecosystems, such as poor water quality, excessive sediment and unsustainable cypress logging. 4-H’ers also learned about the many conservation efforts that are in progress to protect and restore Louisiana’s precious wetlands.

Marsh Maneuvers Participants:
Iberville Math & Science Academy East: Jacques Comeaux, Marie Comeaux, Madeline LeBlanc
Iberville Math & Science Academy West: Elise Persick

Science Ba-YOU Funshop Series Participants:
Crescent Elementary: Jada Laws
Iberville Math & Science Academy East: Blake Barbay, Andre Blanchard, Danielle Blanchard, Shore Fleury, Madeline LeBlanc, Vianne LeBlanc, Emily Phillips, Savannah Phillips
Iberville Math & Science Academy West: Hallie Callegan, Claire Martinez, Ashlyn Prejean
St. John Elementary & Middle: Gabrielle Barbier, Lily Cook, Elise Jackson, Clay LeBlanc, Ivon Smothers
Members at Large: Tommy McQuiston, Corin Seneca
Crescent Elementary: Jada Laws
Iberville Math & Science Academy East: Blake Barbay, Andre Blanchard, Danielle Blanchard, Shore Fleury, Madeline LeBlanc, Vianne LeBlanc, Emily Phillips, Savannah Phillips
Iberville Math & Science Academy West: Hallie Callegan, Claire Martinez, Ashlyn Prejean
St. John Elementary & Middle: Gabrielle Barbier, Lily Cook, Elise Jackson, Clay LeBlanc, Ivon Smothers
Member at Large: Tommy McQuiston, Corin Seneca
Crescent Elementary: Jada Laws
Iberville Math & Science Academy East: Blake Barbay, Andre Blanchard, Danielle Blanchard, Shore Fleury, Madeline LeBlanc, Vianne LeBlanc, Emily Phillips, Savannah Phillips
Iberville Math & Science Academy West: Hallie Callegan, Claire Martinez, Ashlyn Prejean
St. John Elementary & Middle: Gabrielle Barbier, Lily Cook, Elise Jackson, Clay LeBlanc, Ivon Smothers
Member at Large: Tommy McQuiston, Corin Seneca