| Nature Trails
The Nature Trails are open for exploration every day of the year, from dawn until dusk. Weekend Video & CD-ROM Series
Educational videos and CD-ROM's are available for viewing at the Nature Station on Saturday and Sunday between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Ask for assistance from one of the part-time naturalists. Monthly Night Hike
Join us on the last Saturday of each month for an evening hike through the Acadiana Park Nature Trail. We begin with a slide show about nocturnal life at the Nature Station, then we take the nature trails in search of night creatures. Bring a flashlight and insect repellent, and consider wearing long pants and mud-tolerant footwear. Please reserve your place by calling the Nature Station at 291-8448.
Dates: Last Saturday of every month
Guide: Staff Naturalist
Ages: All ages are welcome. Parents must accompany children.
Meet: Nature Station trail head
Time: 8 - 10 p.m., 7 - 9 p.m. beginning in October
Fee: $2 per person
Workshops
To be announced.
Environmental Education Program
Since 1974, our "flagship" educational activity has been the Fourth Grade Environmental Education Program. With supplemental funding from the Lafayette Parish School Board, this program attempts to reach every child living in Lafayette parish. Each year, we schedule every fourth grade class in Lafayette parish for a day of structured activity at the Nature Station. Prior to their scheduled day, a staff member makes an in-school visit to the class to prepare them for their visit. On their scheduled day, our bus driver picks them up from school and brings them to the Nature Station. Once here, students view a video on biodiversity, which is followed by a discussion. Students then go on a nature hike, have lunch, and then watch a second video on Louisiana snakes. They are then introduced to our discovery boxes, and get to meet Lola our prairie kingsnake. The bus then picks them up and takes them back to school. The program lasts from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. In the past 22 years of this program, we have served approximately 70,000 fourth grade students! We also schedule non-fourth grade classes (from pre-K to college level) for shorter visits and/or programs, reaching an additional 3,500 students per year. |
