Estuary Live Louisiana

What is Estuary Live?

Estuary Live! is an interactive virtual field trip accessible via the internet for classrooms and individuals around the country. Students and individuals have the opportunity to participate by submitting online questions for scientists and other experts. Teachers may register for a class to participate in the broadcast at www.estuarylive.org by clicking on “START HERE” and following instructions. This is a 50-minute, free interactive broadcast experience.

Why take this virtual field trip?

This is an opportunity to learn about Louisiana’s Barataria-Terrebonne Estuary. Participation in other Estuary Live field trips add information about the many different estuaries around the nation filmed at Elmer’s Island, La.; Pimilco Sound, N.C., Slough, Ore.; Charlotte Harbor, Fla.; Galveston Bay, Tex.; Great Bay, N.J.; Puget Sound, Wa.; and North Inlet, S.C.

What will the nation see and learn about the Barataria-Terrebonne estuary?

• The former hideout of Jean Lafitte the pirate.
• The rich bounty of shrimp, redfish, crabs and oysters, offshore oil rigs, pelicans and other resident and migratory birds.
• The levees that protect these fragile wetlands and why this national estuary is “the fastest disappearing landmass in the world.”
• Restoration efforts by students from Montegut Middle School who have been planting black mangrove plants in declining wetlands as part of the Coastal Roots Program. They are among students at 17 Louisiana schools participating in wetland restoration through Louisiana Sea Grant’s Coastal Roots Project.

How can teachers, students, and individuals learn more?

The EstuaryLIVE! Teachers Guide is available from BTNEP. This curriculum includes a variety of activities to support the national estuary live broadcast and additional pages specifically for the Barataria Terrebonne program.

For more information about Louisiana’s field trip during this national event, contact Alma Robichaux at Barataria-Terrebonne Estuary Program at [email protected].