The Estuary Compact - An overview of the promise by many individuals, organizations, government entities and interest groups to work together to halt land loss, reduce pollution and create economic opportunities in the estaury. Contains 51 action plans.

Saving Our Good Earth: A Call to Action - This publication contains an overview of four status and trends reports and addresses other environmental problems in the estuary.

Citizens Action Handbook - A home guide to the estuary which lists various ways individuals can reduce water pollution. Poster format.

Priority Problems Poster Series - Seven posters, each depicting one of the priority problems within the estuary (seblems within the estuary (see pages 4 and 5 for overview).

Haunted Waters, Fragile Lands: Oh, What Tales to Tell! - A documentary video discussing the history, ecology and culture of the estuary.

Rescuing the Treasure - The sequel to Haunted Waters, this video discusses the seven priority problems within the estuary (see pages 4 and 5 for overview) and suggests possible solutions.

To order these free publications and videos contact:
The Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program
Nicholls State University Campus
P. O. Box 2663 Thibodaux, LA 70310
(504) 447-0868 or 1-800-259-0869

This program has volunteer speakers who can present on a variety of topics. In addition, they can assist your group with storm drain stencilling projects and other field activities. Call for more information.

Wetlands Functions & Values in Louisiana - FREE
LSU Agricultural Center Cooperative Extension Service
218 Knapp Hall Baton Rouge, LA 70803-1900
TEL (504) 388-2266 FAX (504) 388-2478

Wading into Wetlands - 1996 National Wildlife Week Educator's Kit
ator's Kit
FREE - A new publication is offered each year on a different theme.
Louisiana Wildlife Federation
P.O. Box 65239 Baton Rouge, LA 70896-5239
TEL/FAX (504) 344-6707
Internet: wildlife@nwf.org
The National Wildlife Federation
http://www.nwf.org/nwf

Louisiana Environmentalist (Back issues only.)
LA Environmentalists
Circulation Dept.
P.O. Box 82231
Baton Rouge, LA 70884-2231

Water Marks
Coastal Planning, Protection and Restoration Act
U.S. Dept. of the Army New Orleans District Corps of Engineers -FREE
P.O. Box 60267 New Orleans, LA 70160-0267

Project CEED
Call or write for information on an excellent, reasonably priced wetlands activity and curriculum package for educators.
Office of Environmental Policy
The Audubon Institute P.O. Box 4327 New Orleans, LA 70178

Environmental Quality in the Gulf of Mexico, A Citizen's Guide
Center for Marine Conservation
1725 DeSales St., NW
Washington, DC 20036

EPA Guide to Environmental Issues
U.S. Environmentalbr> U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Public Information Center (3404)
401 M St. SW
Washington, DC 20460

Reversing the Tide
Louisiana Dept. of Natural Resources
Coastal Management Division
P.O. Box 44487, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-4487
Video on coastal erosion.

Gulf of Mexico Program
Public Information Office
Bldg. 1200, Room 103
Stennis Space Center, MS 39528
(601) 688-7440
A variety of free fact sheets and publications on issues effecting the Gulf and its watershed.

The United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service FREE SERVICE

This agency has representatives who are available to speak at your school or meeting place, on a variety of topics, including, but not limited to: natural resources, coastal erosion, barrier islands, flooding, and forestry. In addition, they will assist your group with tree planting, assessment of wildlife values, erosion control, etc. They also provide technical & biological assistance, information and education to landowners for conservation of natural resources. Contact:

West Baton uote>

West Baton Rouge Parish- (504) 748-8620
Assumption Parish- (504) 473-7638
Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes- (504) 447-3871
St. James, St. Charles, St. John, Jefferson, and Plaquemines Parishes (504) 758-2162
Point Coupee Parish (504) 683-6800

AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT BOOKSTORES

A View From the Heart, Bayou Country Ecology
by June C. Kennedy
Blue Heron Press P.O. 550, Thibodaux, LA 70302
1-888-273-2352

The Beachcomber's Guide to Gulf Coast Marine Life 1989
Gulf Publications Co. ($12.95)
P.O. Box 2608, Houston TX
(713) 520-4444 or 1-800-231-6275

Field Guides, such as Peterson's or Audubon guides to Birds, Trees, Wildflowers, Seashells, are available at most bookstores.

TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL FIELD TRIP

Plan ahead! Make arrangements well in advance. Bring raincoats and sturdy shoes for all outdoor trips. Have group members bring a journal and pencil for recording observations on outdoor trips. List predominant plants and animals encountered, as well as weather conditions, time, place and event. Thtime, place and event. This practice is especially valuable in comparing the plants and animals from different habitats, and the information can be brought back to the classroom for review and discussion. Journals are also essential for recording water quality analysis data. Zippered plastic bags or buckets with lids can transport water and samples to the classroom. Use a microscope to see plankton, algae, etc.

SUGGESTED TESTS AND ACTIVITIES

Water quality analysis:
water sampling equipment: clean bucket

Temperature:
Compare the temperatures of two different water bodies.

pH:
Measure acidic or basic water properties.
Aquatic organisms have different ranges of pH tolerance.
Some ranges are broad, some narrow. Sea water tends to be basic.
In the presence of an algal bloom, fresh water will be very basic (high pH).

Salinity:
Test for saltwater intrusion, especially when dead oak trees are present.
Compare salinity of one body of water with another.
Compare salinity levels at different points in one water body (i.e. upstream vs. downstream points).

Dissolved Oxygen:
Some aquatic organisms have a narrow range of tolerance, while others have a broad range of tolerance for oxygen deprivation.
Water with a high level of nutrients from fertilizer runoff or organic waste often goes through a cycle of very high dissolved oxygen (algal bloom), followed by low oxygen (from decaying algae), which can result in death to aquatic organisms such as fish. Remember, fertilizer runoff can increase after heavy rain.

Turbidity:

Use a Secchi disk which you can purchase or make.* Turbidity is a measure of how clear or cloudy water is. When soil erodes and is washed into water, particularly after heavy rainfall, the water becomes more turbid and can kill aquatic plants by preventing sunlight from reaching them. Particulate matter in the water also gives bacteria a place to breed, therefore turbidity is a primary test used in determining drinking water quality.

*See testing equipment source list for-make your-own items hydrometer and secchi disk.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

VIEW AQUATIC ORGANISMS
(Grades 4-12)
Equipment: long-handled fine-mesh dip net (available through supply catalogs and at bait stores) bucket hand-lens or magnifying glass field guide or handout of pond organisms   Some aquatic organisms, such as stoneflies, crawfish, beetle larvae and leeches are pollution indicators; their absence may indicate ollution, while their presence indicates clean water.
(See LA Evnironmentalist July/Aug, 1993).

FOOD CHAIN

FOOD CHAIN
Talk about food chain or food web.
Discuss biodiversity.
Try to determine a food chain relationship among the insects and animals you encounter.

CREDITS

This publication was partially funded by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality under Grant #CE-006660. The contents of this document do not necessarily represent views of the United States Environmental Protection Agency nor the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. The mention of trade names or commercial products does not in any way constitute an endorsement or recommendation for use.

This public document was published at a total cost of $10,072.30 by the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program, Nicholls State University Campus, P.O. Box 2663, Thibodaux, LA 70310 to provide the public with environmental information under the authority of La. R.S. 302011. This material was printed in accordance with standards for printing by state agencies established pursuant to La. R.S. 4331.

Research and Writing by

Carolyn Portier Gorman & Deborah Schultz

Photos by Deborah Schultz,

unless otherwise noted.

Thibodaux, Louisiana