[Image: pitcher plant]4‑H’ers plant irises and pitcher plants in low-lying areas of the LSU AgCenter’s Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center near Pollock, La., as a project for Youth Wetlands Week, March 31-April 4. Plants in the wetlands absorb excess water and strain and filter impurities from the water. Pitcher plants help control the insect population by attracting, trapping and eating bugs in a way similar to their more famous carnivorous counterpart, the Venus fly trap. Teaming up for the project are 4‑H’ers and their parishes Jerome Rosenberg (Lafayette), Catherine Blanchard (St. Martin) and Laural Blanchard (Lafayette). Photo by Mark Claesgens