Office of Coastal Management

DNR WETLANDS DISPLAYS ATTRACT STUDENTS AND ADULTS —Featured at Bluebonnet Swamp's Birthday Bash on Sat. May 16—

BATON ROUGE—You're invited. It's the Bluebonnet Swamp's First Birthday celebration and the Department of Natural Resources' Office of Coastal Restoration and Management will feature two educational exhibits designed to inform the public on the functions and values of our state's wetlands and coastal areas. DNR has developed a pictorial display and a CD Rom available for viewing through the month of May at the Bluebonnet Nature Center in recognition of National Wetlands Month.

The Louisiana Wetlands pictorial display was designed by members of the Data Analysis section of the Coastal Restoration Division. One unit of the display shows how Christmas tree fences help to slow down coastal erosion, a project that brings together many youth groups and volunteers throughout the state. Another component explains the various federal and state coastal programs. A number of photographs throughout the display illustrate other topics, such as how certain wetland projects have been successful in specific coastal areas.

The Coastal Management Division is responsible for creating a CD Rom, primarily for use by teachers. This educational tool is currently in the testing phase and educators are asked to provide feedback to the DNR on its benefits as an aid in classroom instruction. Features of the CR Rom include a quiz for students, distinctive graphics and sound associated with the function and values of wetlands, and reproduction of three of the department's educational videos.

The Bluebonnet Swamp, operated by BREC, is dedicated to conservation, education, recreation and tourism and has boardwalks and trails connecting a cypress-tupelo swamp and a magnolia-beech upland hardwood forest. It is located at 10503 North Oak Hills Parkway, off Bluebonnet Drive between Perkins Road and Highland Road. The center's director is Greg Grandy. Other attractions at the May 16th birthday event include artists, scientists, naturalists and local volunteer groups. Visitors to the celebration might expect a taste of some Louisiana nutria rather than the standard bill of fare as offered by Chef Philippe Parola.

Editors: For more information on this release, please contact the DNR Public Information Office at (504) 342-8955 or the Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center at (504) 757-8905.