NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Leah Jackson (jacksonl@nsula.edu)
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466
1/09/2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATCHITOCHES -The Northwestern State University Department of Biology hosted an all-day children's outing in conjunction with the Native Plant Conservation Initiative in west-central Louisiana. Students in the Grace Homeschool Group based in DeRidder participated in a hands-on field trip in the Kisatchie National Forest to learn about wetland ecology and help restore one of the damaged pitcher plant bogs there.
Thirty children and their parents visited the Kisatchie district workstation to view unusual carnivorous plants and while orchids that inhabit the endangered wetlands within the upland pine ecosystem that comprises much of Natchitoches Parish. They caravanned to a high quality pitcher plant bog in Kisatchie National Forest to help collect pitcher plant seeds for an upclose view.
“The students enjoyed the last of the seasonal wetland wildflowers while learning about ancient Clubmosses and tiny, but brilliant bug-eating Sundews,” said Linda Chance, project investigator. “The group picnicked within sight of a partially restored bog and learned about how the forest is managed and how to identify some upland trees. The rest of the afternoon was devoted to restoring a damaged bog's hydrology and collecting seeds of Toothache Grass. Older students guided younger ones in the task and also helped the area botanist collect mulch for erosion control. Thanks to their generous help, one more endangered pitcher plant bog is on the road to recovery for future generations to enjoy.”
Bog restoration has been underway for the last two years through a partnership with NSU, the Coypu Foundation which supports ecology conservation projects and the Louisiana Native Plant Society. The group’s focus has been the pitcher plant bog restoration project in Kisatchie National forest, home to four species of carnivorous plants and several rare orchids. Seven damaged sites are in the restoration process with the help of Kisatchie National Forest personnel, NSU student workers, Natchitoches Parish master gardeners, summer youth volunteer groups and numerous conservation-minded and concerned local citizens.
Anyone interested in this NSU program should contact Chance at the NSU Herbarium, Room 212 Bienvenu Hall, Biology Dept., on the Natchitoches campus or via email at chancel@nsula.edu.
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