Louisiana Master Naturalists of Greater New Orleans

Hello All Master Naturalists,

With cooler autumn weather now at hand, I would like to resume our monthly "Walk in the Woods" series. The date for the walk is two weeks from yesterday, Saturday, October 29th from 10 am to mid afternoon. The destination will be the Bogue Chitto State Park north of Folsom. (This park is about an hour's drive from the south end of the Causeway.).

As you know, this park features forested hills/bluffs which are most likely the nearest uneven topography to New Orleans. Also of note is the Bogue Chitto River, a state "natural and scenic" stream, with its spacious sand bars backed up by riverine habitat. Our exploratory stroll will be off trail to a beach on the river that can be reached only by cross country travel through a mostly hardwood and short pine forest. The route will be improvised with much meandering to avoid tangles of undergrowth.

The objective of the walk is to spend time in the outdoors observing whatever catches our eye. Most emphasis will be the variety of hardwoods, examples of river changes/erosions/sloughs at two locations and perhaps some wildlife. Lunch will be on the beach overlooking the Bogue Chitto. This outing is very much a group endeavor with participants contributing their bits of knowledge.

If you would like to come, please send me a note along with your cell phone number. The autumn season is coming with some color change so hopefully you will be inspired to experience what this state park has to offer. I will send out more details to those who sign up, Thursday night before Saturday's exploration.

byron almquist byron@canoeandtrail.com