Field Trips at the Barataria Preserve

 

There's always something interesting to see at the Barataria Preserve!

At Barataria Preserve in Marrero near Crown Point, K-12 students can enjoy free field trips on the trails, to the visitor center, to the preserve's Environmental Education Center, or all three!

Your group can request a ranger-led program or you can come and explore on your own!

Ranger-led Programs

Ranger-led science education activities and field trips are available for K-12 students on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

K-5th

Various science education activities in wetlands ecology are available for K-5 students. Among others, these activities include Dipnetting and the Big Bug Hunt. For an activity brochure for K-5 or to book a field trip, email the preserve or call 504-689-3690.

6th - 12th

Higher intensity wetlands ecology field trip activities are available for students in grades 6-12. These have a higher scientific intensity than our K-5 activities and include data collection and monitoring. Email or call the preserve at 504-689-3690 for more information or to obtain a grade 6-8 or 9-12 activity brochure.

High School

For environmental science-focused high school students, we offer students the ability to participate in real scientific data collection through our suite of citizen science projects. A list of these projects is available on our citizen science page.

Explore on Your Own:

You are welcome to bring your group and explore the preserve on your own (admission is free). See below for activities that your group can do on its own at the preserve.

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Please call the preserve at 504-689-3690 about your group's plans whether or not you plan to request a ranger program; this will allow us to alert you to possible other large groups visiting the preserve on the same day you are planning to come.

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Follow these links for activities

• Scouting Programs at the Barataria Preserve

• Our Explore Nature video shares how to collect insects from waterways, plants, and more. From safety tips (for you AND the insects) to where to look for insects, spiders, and little critters of all kinds, the eight-minute video has useful information for field trips to the Barataria Preserve if collecting insects will be part of your visit. You can also use the information in the video to collect insects in schoolyard projects and other programs. Note that when you click on the video link, you'll get a message that you're leaving the National Park Service; that's because the video lives on a different server.

• iNaturalist - the iNaturalist app has been used by Barataria Preserve field trip students, park managers, and people everywhere to record findings. You can upload photos and observations to a database that's available online worldwide. Note that when you click on the iNaturalist link, you'll get a message that you're leaving the National Park Service; that's because iNaturalist is not a National Park Service app.
• For a fun activity for your self-guided group when exploring the preserve trails, try Barataria Bingo! You are welcome to download, print, and share the pdf to find out what you can see and hear at the preserve.

Follow these links for curriculum materials:

• Curriculum-based Materials you can use on your own or with a field trip.

 

Field Trip Information for Teachers

Plan like a Park Ranger! Be prepared for your field trip and learn about our facility and programs below.

Parking

Buses may pull up to the front of the Visitor Center to let students off. Once all students, chaperones, and teachers are off the bus, the bus must move and park in the back of the parking lot.

Food & Drink

A water fountain is available at the Barataria Preserve Visitor Center. Water, sports drinks, and trail mix are available for purchase in the Visitor Center. Food and drink may be consumed inside the building; however, there are no tables available for eating inside the Visitor Center. There are two picnic tables located outside of the visitor center, and there is a picnic area at the Pecan Grove, which is located across the highway.

Leave No Trace

Dispose of Waste Properly. Take all trash with you and dispose of trash in the provided trash cans.

Leave what you find. Leave all natural objects (plants, flowers, leaves, etc.) where you find them.

Respect wildlife. Observe wildlife from a distance and never feed them or pick them up.

Be considerate of other visitors. Avoid loud voices and noises.

Facility Rules

Stay with your group! Pay close attention, follow directions, and stay together so we may complete your program.
Be respectful and limit noise. Keep noise to a minimum when on trails as to not scare off wildlife.

Be aware of your surroundings and don’t run. Keep yourself and others safe by being respectful. Running is not allowed in the building or on trails due to safety concerns.

Chaperones

Plan early! Barataria Preserve requires one chaperone for every ten elementary aged children. One chaperone is required per fifteen middle school/high school aged students. Extra chaperones are always welcome.

What to Bring

A hat, sunscreen, bug spray, closed toed shoes, and a water bottle are strongly recommended for programs at the Barataria Preserve.

Accessibility

Learn about accessibility at our park here. Have any questions or concerns? Let us know! Send us an email or call the Barataria Preserve Visitor Center at [phone].

Registration

To schedule your field trip, please either email the park or call park staff at [phone].

Get More Info

Have questions about our field trips or facilities? Email park staff or call [phone] for more information.