General Forum

The Bayou Chapter had a fantastic time participating in Sci-Port’s Bug Bazaar on April 11, which welcomed more than 1,500 visitors—making it the largest turnout in the event’s history. We were especially encouraged to hear from Sci-Port leadership that community partner exhibits, like ours, received overwhelmingly positive feedback.

A big part of the excitement was the appearance of Coyote Peterson of Brave Wilderness, whose energetic and engaging online videos and passion for wildlife and conservation helped draw a large crowd and amplify messages about caring for the natural world.

Our table stayed busy throughout the entire event, with a steady stream of kids eager to take on the “River Detective” challenge and learn how insects can tell us about water quality.

It was exciting to see so much curiosity and engagement, and even more rewarding to connect with parents about our mission, upcoming outings, and ways to get involved. We…

BCOS volunteers gathered again on March 25 to work on the Children's Play Area at the Red River National Wildlife Refuge.  We added paint, signage, and a roof to the life jacket loaner station.  We also placed fishing poles, fish and PFD's for visitors to use.  

The final touches will be refreshing the blue rubber mulch that serves as "water" and modifying the boat for drainage.  We will be replenishing and repairing the site as needed.

Thanks to everyone who has participated.  If you haven't yet, checked out this area, please do so.  We expect other groups to spruce up their assigned areas soon.

Eight BCOS members met at the Red River National Wildlife Refuge this morning to start on our Water Safety/Fishing project as a part of the rehabilitation of the Nature Play Area. Is wasn’t all work and no play as evidenced by the photos. Thanks to Jill Frost for the boat donation, to David, Philip, and Wayne for the heavy lifting and the rest of the team for their various contributions. We had a great team and this project will look even better when it’s completed. Thanks to everyone who participated.

The Sunday the 15th Pop-Up paddle had two BCOS members paddle from the 162 boat launch on Cypress Lake up the creek as far as we could go. We encountered cormorants, mallards, canadian geese, turkey vultures and snowy egrets along the way.  A belted kingfisher was seen and heard along the route as we neared the rookery. As we neared the nests, the great blue herons took to the sky. On our way back we were able to watch a family of hogs from a close distance for quite a while.  There was some wind on the way back but otherwise a very good five and a half mile paddle. -Mark Robinson