LaBranche Wetlands Field Trip
The LaBranche Wetlands site is easily accessed from Orleans and Jefferson Parishes and is the "backyard" of those living in the River Parishes.
We take many of our canoe trips in the LaBranche Wetlands.
LaBranche is the one remaining naturally tidal wetland area on the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain; however, it suffers from saltwater intrusion and rapid erosion rates.
The students can learn about a range of wetland issues in one short field trip to LaBranche and there are endless possibilities for hands-on science learning.
Bonnet Carre Spillway Field Trip
The Bonnet Carre Spillway was constructed after the 1927 Mississippi River flood as part of the federally funded project to prevent future flooding of the Mississippi River.
It acts as a safety valve, opened only when the river reaches a stage at which it threatens the levees downstream at New Orleans. When opened, it allows the excess river water to flow to Lake Pontchartrain.
The spillway, contained between two parallel levees, running from the Mississippi River to Lake Pontchartrain, contains about 5 square miles of swamp and bottomland hardwood habitats.
Our field trip begins by introducing the students to the spillway structure that holds back the river.
We then make two more stops, one in the spillway to collect water samples and observe the organisms living there, and one at Lake Pontchartrain, where the students sample again and make comparisons between the two sites.
Contact us to book your louisiana wetland field trip today!
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