[Image: Marsh Maneuvers]Five Jeff Davis 4-H members recently embarked on a first-hand journey deep into the marsh at Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge during the LSU AgCenter's Marsh Maneuvers camp July 27-31, 2009.
4-H students from all across Louisiana have had the unforgettable experience of walking in marsh mud, swatting mosquitoes and watching the sunrise over the marsh. This sometimes grueling but rewarding experience also etched in their minds the wonder, complexity, value and productivity of Louisiana’s coastal environment also known as America’s Wetlands.
Students experience the biological diversity and complexity of this environment by examining the life cycles and habitat requirements of wetland flora and fauna. They participate in evaluating environmental quality through water testing and examining the hydrology of the watershed basins and the coast. Exercises in natural resource management help the students appreciate the difficulty in balancing social needs and environmental consequences. Some of the activities used to illustrate these concepts include: fishing, crabbing, cast netting, water chemistry testing, seining, wildlife observation, seafood processing, boating and policy debates. A few of the more memorable experiences for the Jeff Davis 4-H’ers included dissecting alligator eggs, removing the otoliths from speckled trout heads, air boat rides provided by Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries to witness water control structures, boating to Joseph’s Harbor, planting marsh grass in Vermilion Bay, marsh volleyball and touring the Tabasco Brand Pepper Facility.
The weeklong Marsh Maneuvers is free of charge to youth. Gracious sponsors recognize the value in educating tomorrow’s future. Sponsors helping make this camp possible for youth included Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, Louisiana Sea Grant Program, McIlhenny Company and LSU AgCenter/Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service.
For more information on 4-H and other youth development program activities offered by the LSU AgCenter, or if you are interested in serving as a volunteer or overnight chaperone contact the Jeff Davis Cooperative Extension Service office at (337) 824-1773. It is the policy of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the ground of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age or disability.