General

Content tagged with general will appear on the About LDWF Page.

Chicot Lake Drawdown Scheduled

Release Date: 08/21/2012

Aug. 21, 2012 – The water control structure on Chicot Lake near Ville Platte, La., will be opened soon after Labor Day to allow for a lake drawdown. The action is part of an integrated management plan developed to control submerged vegetation.

In addition to the drawdown, the Department will continue herbicide applications, and triploid (sterile) grass carp will be introduced this winter.

Drawdowns on Chicot Lake will be conducted annually to mimic natural water fluctuation. The target level for this year’s drawdown is two feet below pool stage. Future drawdowns will be three foot below pool stage.

The lake will not be closed to fishing during the drawdown, but caution is advised of boaters during the low water period as boat lanes will not provide normal clearance for underwater obstructions.

For further information regarding the drawdown, contact Jody David, LDWF Biologist Manager, at (337) 948-0255 or at jdavid@wlf.la.gov.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana's abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.louisiana.gov on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ldwffb or follow us on Twitter @LDWF.

For press inquiries, contact Ashley Wethey at awethey@wlf.la.gov(225) 765-2396.

Submitted by jcourtney on Tue, 08/21/2012 - 2:10pm

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SPECIAL eNEWS Announcing 2012-2013 School Sustainability Grants Program!

Announcing 2012-2013 School Sustainability Grants Program

As teachers and administrators, have you ever looked around your school and thought, “Wow! Opportunity missed!” when considering what students could be learning about sustainability from your school’s facility? Here is your chance to engage students in making their school a more sustainable one!

The Louisiana Environmental Education Commission (LEEC) is now accepting proposals for their 2012-2013 School Sustainability Grants program. These grants are designedto encourage student learning via sustainability initiatives in EPA Region 6 (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas) K-12 schools. Proposals to be considered are those within a specific school campus that will engage students and result in a more sustainable facility. Project funds are provided via a grant from the EPA Office of Environmental Education Sub-Grants Program to the LEEC, which is under the direction of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

ELIGIBILITY

School administrators or fulltime classroom teachersaffiliated with accredited public or non-public schools (K-12) in EPA Region 6 (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas) are eligible to apply on behalf of their school.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Grant awards are not to exceed $5000.
The grant application deadline is October 1, 2012.
Applications will be accepted via electronic submission only.
All applications will undergo an anonymous and competitive grant review process.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Go to Application Guidelines for guidelines and additional information.
Register in the LEEC Registration System at Registration Form. You will then be assigned a username and password.
Once you have received your username and password, you will be able to access the proposal form.

QUESTIONS

Questions are to be directed to Venise Ortego, Environmental Education Coordinator, at vortego@wlf.la.gov.

Body of Noble Man Recovered from Toledo Bend

Release Date: 08/17/2012

Search and Rescue officials recovered the body of a Noble man from Toledo Bend Sabine Parish on Aug. 16.

Search crews from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office recovered the body of Brandon Jeane, 27, around 9:45 p.m.

Officials were notified about a fisherman who fell overboard in Toledo Bend around 6:45 p.m. on Aug. 16. Jeane was fishing with his Uncle in a 16 foot boat when he fell overboard without a personal flotation device. According to the Uncle, Jeane never resurfaced and he called for help.

Jeane’s body was turned over to the Sabine Parish Coroner’s Office to determine a cause of death. LDWF will be the lead investigative agency for this boating crash incident.

For more information, contact Adam Einck at 225-765-2465 or aeinck@wlf.la.gov.

Submitted by aeinck on Fri, 08/17/2012 - 9:24am

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LDWF Celebrates National Hunting & Fishing Day

Release Date: 08/16/2012

Aug. 16, 2012 - The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is celebrating National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHFD) on September 22. This year celebrates 30 years of bringing families to the outdoors.

NHFD is a national event celebrated by all 50 states on the fourth Saturday in September. It was created in 1972 when Congress passed two bills establishing a specific day to celebrate the conservation contributions of our nation’s hunters and anglers. Forty years later, the events are still going strong.

LDWF introduced its first NHFD event in 1982 at the Monroe district office. In the following years, three more locations were developed in Baton Rouge, Minden and Woodworth. Today, more than 10,000 people statewide attend the celebrations, creating the largest public event for the department.

“Our goal is to bring people outside, enjoy the activities we offer and hopefully, send them home with a renewed interest and appreciation for Louisiana’s natural resources," said LDWF Secretary Robert Barham. “The quality of time families and friends spend together at National Hunting and Fishing Day is unique, and we know this because we see the experience passed on to younger generations. Parents who spent time at NHFD as kids, are now bringing their children to the events. That speaks for the value of the experience.”

All four events are free. The number and types of exhibits vary at each location but all include exhibits on LDWF management programs, shooting and fishing demonstrations, exhibits from local chapters of Ducks Unlimited, Safari Club and CCA, and supporting businesses from the local communities. Attendees have the chance to try their skills at the shooting ranges, fishing ponds and boating activities, as well as learn about wildlife with live animals.

Another great aspect of NHFD is the food. Louisiana is known for its food and NHFD serves it up in traditional style for everyone to taste. Local businesses and chefs cook up venison, catfish, shrimp, alligator and pig with the flare only Louisiana can offer.

For more information on National Hunting and Fishing Day, contact one of the four locations or go to www.wlf.louisiana.gov.

NHFD Locations

Monroe 

LDWF District 2 Office 

368 Centurylink Dr. 

Monroe, LA. 71203 

(318) 343-4044

Baton Rouge

Waddill Outdoor Education Center

4142 N. Flannery Road

(225) 765-2800 

Minden 

Bodcau Wildlife Management Area 

1700 Bodcau Dam Rd. 

Haughton, LA. 71037 

(318) 371-3050

Woodworth 

Woodworth Outdoor Education Center 

661 Robinson Bridge Rd. 

Woodworth, LA. 71485 

(318) 484-2212

Submitted by mburke on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 4:04pm

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Two Livingston Parish Men Cited for Littering

Release Date: 08/10/2012

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited two Denham Springs men for alleged gross littering violations on Aug. 7.

Agents discovered approximately 40 large garbage bags of household trash, appliances and mattresses located off of Miller Road and Neal Landing Road in Livingston Parish on July 30.

After sifting through the piles of garbage and conducting a thorough investigation, agents were able to identify two suspects. Agents cited Cody D. May, 19, and Johnnie J. Jarreau, 17, for gross littering.

Gross littering brings a $500 to $1,000 fine and eight hours of community service in a litter abatement work program approved by the court.

Agents involved in the case were Lt. Will Roberts, Sgt. Guy Adams, Senior Agent Buck Hampton and Senior Agent Carl Armstrong.

For more information, contact Adam Einck at 225-765-2465 or aeinck@wlf.la.gov.

Submitted by aeinck on Fri, 08/10/2012 - 12:40pm

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SAVE THE DATE! Louisiana Environmental Education Symposium - February 22-23, 2013

SAVE THE DATE!
Louisiana Environmental Education Symposium
February 22-23, 2013

Now is the time to Build a Sustainable Future! Join us for two days of exciting environmental education sessions and earn needed CLUs!

The 2013 Louisiana Environmental Education Symposium, sponsored by the Louisiana Environmental Education Commission (LEEC), will be held at the Marriott Hotel in Baton Rouge, LA. We’ll offer concurrent sessions, exhibitors’ hall, presentations, and short courses with the experts, as well as offer other resources to help you educate your students! So mark your calendars and make plans to join us for some fun, food, networking, and learning!

For more information: Venise Ortego, EE Coordinator, 337-948-0255, vortego@wlf.la.gov, www.wlf.louisiana.gov/eec

2013 Environmental Education Symposium - Save the Date!

WEEKLY eNEWS: Grants, Scholarships, Events, Workshops/Webinars, Resources, Lagniappe

A Compilation of Environmental Education News from Across Louisiana.

GRANTS

Small Grant Announcement - Region 6 EPA (Deadline: September 1)
The Environmental Education Association of New Mexico (EEANM) has been awarded a grant of $150,000 from the US EPA to administer a small grant program throughout EPA Region 6. EEANM is partnering with the Texas Association for Environmental Education, the Louisiana Environmental Education Association, the Arkansas Environmental Education Association, the Oklahoma Association for Environmental Education, and the Albert I Pierce Foundation to solicit proposals for projects that meet state association priorities. Projects may include professional development, student projects, or statewide capacity building for delivering environmental education. Each state association will provide a team of reviewers to select projects for awards up to $5,000. At least 19 grants will be funded throughout the five-state region. The deadline for applications is September 1. The projects will be selected by December 2012. The grant period is one year. The Request for Proposals, the Grant Application, and a Press Release are attached and available at http://eeanm.org/small_grant_program.html.

My Air, My Health Challenge from HHS and EPA (Deadline: October 5)
The My Air, My Health competition asks participants to create a personal sensor system that measures air pollution and a person’s physiological response to it. The competition will offer cash awards to finalists. The goal is to help researchers, communities, and physicians better understand the connection between air quality and health. A total of $160,000 in prizes will be awarded. Four finalists will receive $15,000. One finalist will receive $100,000 for the most effective solution! Submissions are due October 5, 2012. Details and entry information available at the links below:
Press release announcing the competition: http://www.nih.gov/news/health/jun2012/niehs-06.htm
Challenge details: http://challenge.gov/HHS/372-my-air-my-health-challenge
Informational webinar: http://www.health2con.com/devchallenge/my-air-my-health-an-epahhs-challenge/
Enter a submission: www.innocentive.com

Southeast Environmental Education Alliance Mini Grant Program - Request for Proposals Now Open (Deadline: November 1)
The Southeast Environmental Education Alliance (SEEA) is partnering with the professional environmental education associations across the southeast to provide small grants in support of programs and projects that support and advance environmental education (EE) and environmental literacy in the region. Grant requests must not exceed $5,000 and require a non-federal match of 25% of the total project cost. Proposals may be submitted electronically to director@kaee.org by November 1, 2012. Hard copy submissions will not be accepted. For the full RFP and application, visit www.kaee.org/grants/.

SCHOLARSHIPS

2012 Oceanic Research Group Marine Scholarship (Deadline: October 1)
The Oceanic Research Group is accepting applications for the 2012 Oceanic Research Group Marine Scholarship. Undergraduate students entering their junior or senior year or graduate students with an overall GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 and demonstrated financial need are eligible for the scholarship. Students must be enrolled or accepted in an accredited United States college or university for the 2012 fall term with a marine-related major. The deadline to apply is October 1, 2012. The $1000 Marine Scholarship will be awarded in late 2012. To learn more about the application process, visit: http://www.oceanicresearch.org/scholarship/scholarship.htm.

EVENTS

CPEX's Smart Growth Summit (August 27-29)
Join CPEX for their seventh Smart Growth summit at the Shaw Center for the Arts Manship Theatre in downtown Baton Rouge. The summit will cover topics such as parks and greenways, bike Infrastructure, art for revitalization, financing, water management, neighborhood redevelopment, transit and housing investments, coastal communities, communications, green building, planning in rural communities and economic development. Speakers will include Mitchell J. Silver, Chief Planning and Economic Development Officer for the City of Raleigh, urban designer Victor Dover, Robert Grow, pioneer in regional visioning, and Greg LeRoy, director of Good Jobs First. Continuing education credits for attorneys as well as self-reporting credits for planners, architects, landscape architects, engineers, and realtors, will be offered. For more information and registration, visit: http://summit.cpex.org.

Center for Natural Resource Economics & Policy (CNREP) Announces First Call for Abstracts (Deadline: November 12)
CNREP is announcing a call for abstracts for: CNREP 2013: Challenges of Natural Resource Economics & Policy, the 4th National Forum on Socioeconomic Research in Coastal Systems. The conference will be held March 24-26, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana. This triennial forum focuses on the opportunities and challenges of socioeconomic research in the development and evaluation of coastal resource restoration and management. Potential session topics include market and nonmarket valuation of ecosystem services and coastal resources, environmental benefit-cost analyses, economic linkage/impact assessment, input-output modeling, and comparative assessments of resource management and restoration policy. Basic and applied research, extension-oriented, and policy discussion submissions are all welcome. Deadline for abstract submission: November 12, 2012. Call for abstracts available at: http://www.cnrep.lsu.edu. CNREP information: http://www.cnrep.lsu.edu/AboutCNREP.html. For more information, contact: Rex H. Caffey, Professor and Director, CNREP, Louisiana Sea Grant and LSU AgCenter, 225-578-2393, rcaffey@agcenter.lsu.edu.

WORKSHOPS/WEBINARS

US Fish & Wildlife Service National Conservation Training Center - Supervising Young Adults in Conservation archived webinar course code: OUT8045. http://www.doi.gov/doilearn/index.cfm. This and other webinars are available to non-governmental employees.

Workshops on Estuaries and Watersheds
Mississippi Dept. of Marine Resources 2012 Teacher Professional Development. Estuaries 101 September 27-28, 2012 and Watersheds October 11-12, 2012. Contact Shelia.brown@eagles.usm.eduor rick.ranew@dmr.ms.govfor more information.

OneNOAA Science Seminars: August 2012
New Elevation Inventory for the Nation
Add This OneNOAA Science Seminar to your Google Calendar
Date/ Time:        August 01, 2012, 14:00-15:00 Eastern Time Zone
Location:              NOAACoastal Services Center (remote access only)
Speaker(s):         Lindy Betzhold (NOAA Coastal Services Center)
OneNOAA Seminar Sponsor: NOAA Coastal Services Center

Toxic Algae and Dead Zones: Resurgence of Old Problems in Lake Erie
Add This OneNOAA Science Seminar to your Google Calendar
Date/Time:         August 02, 2012, 12:00-13:00 Eastern Time Zone
Location:              NOAA SSMC-4Room 9153 (1305 East-West Hwy, Silver Spring, MD 20910)
Speaker(s):         Dr. Don Scavia(Graham Family Professor of Environmental Sustainability, University of Michigan)
OneNOAA Seminar Sponsor: NOAANOS Science Seminar Series and National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science

ISO Metadata Training Series: Unified Modeling Language (UML) Basics
Add This OneNOAA Science Seminar to your Google Calendar
Date/Time:         August 07, 2012, 10:00-11:00 Central Time Zone
Location:              Webinar access only
Speaker(s):         ncddcmetadata@noaa.gov(NCDDC)
OneNOAA Seminar Sponsor:      NOAA NODC NCDDC

How NCCOS Provided Public Access to Their Technical Reports via E-Readers
Add This OneNOAA Science Seminar to your Google Calendar
Date/ Time:        August 08, 2012, 12:00-13:00 Eastern Time Zone
Location:              NOAA SSMC-4 Room 8150 (1305 East-West Hwy, Silver Spring, MD 20910).
Speaker(s):         Shellie Jacobson(Intern, Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment, CCMA) and Becky Wynne(Communications and Marketing specialist, CCMA)
OneNOAA Seminar Sponsor: NOAANOS Science Seminar Series and the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science

ISO Metadata Training Series: Tool Overview
Add This OneNOAA Science Seminar to your Google Calendar
Date/ Time:        August 14, 2012, 10:00-11:00 Central Time Zone
Location:              Webinar access only
Speaker(s):         ncddcmetadata@noaa.gov(NCDDC)
OneNOAA Seminar Sponsor: NOAA NODC NCDDC

E-reader Access: Making NOAA Technical Memoranda Available on Mobile Devices
Add This OneNOAA Science Seminar to your Google Calendar
Date/ Time:        Wednesday, August 15, 2012, 12:00 - 1:00 Eastern Time Zone
Location:              NOAA SSMC-4Room 8150, (1305 East-West Hwy, Silver Spring, MD 20910)
Speaker(s):         Shellie Jacobson, Intern, NCCOS Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (CCMA) and Rebecca Wynne, Communications and Marketing Specialist, CCMA
OneNOAA Seminar Sponsor: The NOS Science Seminar Series and National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS)

RESOURCES

Drought Monitor
http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/
Includes forecasts, maps, statistics, animations and other useful information.

Earth Gauge Visuals & Videos
http://www.earthgauge.net/environment/environment-video
Earth Gauge visuals and video clips may be freely used on-air, online, in community outreach and in educational settings. Include information on wetlands, fertilizer, water use, and more.

Storm Surge and Coastal Inundation
http://www.stormsurge.noaa.gov/
New NOAA storm surge website provides comprehensive information on topic.

LANGIAPPE

Scope-On-A-Rope Survey & Updates (Deadline: August 17)
LSU's Scope-On-A-Rope Program needs your help! They would like to know how to better serve hard-working teachers and to keep up with the latest technology. Please click on the link below to fill out a short survey to help them determine the future of this program. EVERY participant will receive a free color printed curriculum booklet of choice, and entered to win one of three Dlite USB microscopes! Responses are due by Friday, August 17th. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Scope-On-A-Rope
SOAR Program Updates:
1. The LSU Scope-On-A-Rope Program has moved to the Cain Center, in 252 Hatcher Hall. The mailing address is College of Science, 336 Hatcher Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803.
2. Scopes are still available for loan and the program offers FREE professional development workshops on ANY type of video microscope. Email soar@lsu.eduif you are interested in participating in this program.
3. You can continue to contact the Program Coordinator, Adrienne Steele (formerly A. Lopez), at alopez@lsu.eduor at the new SOAR email address: soar@lsu.edu. The phone number is the same: 225-578-3080.

New “Magic School Bus” Book Explores Diesel Emissions
EPA, in collaboration with Scholastic, has created a new book in the popular "Magic School Bus" series for children. In "The Magic School Bus Gets Cleaned Up," the children and their teacher, Ms. Frizzle, explore the pollution emitted from their own diesel school bus and learn how to reduce emissions as they travel through the diesel engine. Quantities are limited due to the popularity of the book and available in both English and Spanish versions. Individuals, schools and libraries may order one copy each at no charge. Non-profit organizations and state and local governments working on diesel and clean air education may request more. (Approval is on a case-by-case basis.) For more information, visit: http://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/sector-programs/msb-book.htm

Find out about wetland outreach activities including symposiums, conferences, meetings, educational opportunities, volunteer opportunities, and related support material at the Louisiana Unified Coastal Community Calendar at http://lacoast.gov/calendar/

Venise Ortego, Environmental Education Coordinator, 337-948-0255, vortego@wlf.la.gov
Juliet Raffray, Environmental Education Assistant Coordinator, 225-765-0124, jraffray@wlf.la.gov
Louisiana Environmental Education Commission (LEEC) – www.wlf.louisiana.gov/eec

Application - Region 6 Small Grants Program

RFP Region 6 Small Grants

Press Release - Small Grant ProgramPress Release - Small Grant Program

Five Men Cited In Terrebonne Parish For Oyster Violations

Release Date: 08/03/2012

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents cited five men for alleged oyster violations in Terrebonne Parish on July 31.

While on oyster-growing-area patrol in Four Isle Bayou, agents found a vessel being used to dredge oysters from a private lease without the lease owner's permission.

Agents cited Lawrence J. Verdin, 61, from Bourg; Wesley P. Verdin, 54, from Theriot; Shaft D. Jones, 29, of Houma; Russell A. Trahan, 24, of Houma; and Walter O. Jones, 29, from Houma, for unlawfully taking oysters from a private lease and failure to have written permission.

The oysters located on the vessel were seized and returned to the water. The boat and dredges were placed under an LDWF seizure order.

The penalty for unlawfully taking oysters from a private lease is a fine between $900 and $950, or imprisonment up to 120 days, or both, plus court costs and forfeiture of anything seized in connection with the violation. Failure to have written permission is punishable by a fine of $400 to $900, or jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court costs.

Any person convicted of these violations may for one year after the date of such conviction only harvest oysters from a vessel that employs a vessel monitoring system. Access to the monitoring system shall be granted to LDWF. For that year, the person convicted of these violations shall identify for the department which vessel will be used to harvest oysters.

Agent participating in the case were Sgts. Richard Purvis and Bryan Marie and Senior Agent Norman Deroche.

For more information, contact Adam Einck at 225-765-2465 or aeinck@wlf.la.gov.

Submitted by aeinck on Fri, 08/03/2012 - 11:05am

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Three Men Sentenced For Migratory Game Bird Violations

Release Date: 08/01/2012

Three Louisiana men were sentenced in federal court on July 24 for their roles in illegally dove hunting over a baited field during the 2011 hunting season in St. Charles Parish.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents observed three men hunting over an illegally baited field during the 2011 dove season. The area had been under surveillance after learning about the placing of bait to attract doves.

After a subsequent investigation by LDWF and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) agents, LDWF agents cited Ronald Guillory, 66, Darrel Guillory, 43, both of Norco, and Thomas Brandt, 75, of Kenner for hunting doves over a baited field.

On July 24, 2012, Ronald and Darrel Guillory and Brandt appeared before a U.S. Magistrate in federal court in New Orleans and pleaded guilty to hunting doves with the aid of baiting. Each man received a fine of $1,010 and three years of unsupervised probation with a special condition that they forego hunting migratory game birds for one year. Ronald Guillory also pleaded guilty to the placement of bait and was sentenced an additional $1,510 fine and three years of unsupervised probation to run concurrent with the previous sentence.

LDWF agents testifying in the trial were Sgt. Jason Russo and Agent Jared Taylor. Investigating agents for the USFWS were Senior Agents Scott Boudreaux and Steven Clark.

For more information, contact Adam Einck at 225-765-2465 or aeinck@wlf.la.gov.

Submitted by aeinck on Wed, 08/01/2012 - 11:26am

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Louisiana Conservationist Summer Issue Now Available

Release Date: 07/31/2012

Louisiana Conservationist Summer Issue Now Available

The next issue of Louisiana’s oldest outdoor magazine, Louisiana Conservationist, is now ready for your review. This summer issue is full of great stories, expanding on Louisiana’s coastal restoration, endangered species research, new summer camps for children and an offshore excursion just for women.

The summer time is the best time for children to get involved with outdoor activities. The department hosted its second annual outdoors children’s camp at the Waddill Outdoor Education Center in Baton Rouge.

Our coastal restoration series goes further in depth in this edition as we explore the Mississippi River delta and its forever changing landscape as we focus on Pass-a-Loutre in this issue. In addition, Dave Moreland, a regular LCM contributor, gives us a lesson in planting for all wildlife in his “Outdoor Roots” column.

We also look at a new program called “Women in the Wild” where a group of 30 women was given the opportunity to try their hands at fishing at Grand Isle, LA. And, we travel to the northern part of the state to look for the elusive Louisiana pine snake, the rarest snake in North America.

These stories and more await you in the summer edition of the Louisiana Conservationist at www.louisianaconservationist.org. ENJOY!

Submitted by mburke on Tue, 07/31/2012 - 5:44pm

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