Louisiana Great Gulf Coast Birding Trail Meetings

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The Louisiana Office of Tourism has scheduled a mid-project round of public meetings, October 20-24, 2003, to provide an update on the progress of the Louisiana Great Gulf Coast Birding Trail.  To date, 177 sites in 28 parishes have been nominated, and 12 of the 14 proposed loops along the trail have been tentatively mapped. Mary Jeanne Packer of FERMATA, Inc. will provide an overview of the project from its beginning, for anyone new to the trail, as well as provide an update on the birding trail site nominations and site assessments. At the time of the meetings, the route with the 12 of the 14 proposed loops will be presented. This will be the perfect time to ask questions and provide any additional information on route or site development.

Sharon Calcote, Director
Louisiana Heritage Tourism Development
Louisiana Office of Tourism
225/342-8142

Meetings are scheduled as follows:

Monday, October 20

Hammond, 10-12noon

Hampton Inn, exit 31 off I-55 in Hammond

Contact:   Betty Stewart, 985/542-7520

Tuesday, October 21

Lafayette, 2-4 pm

Clifton Chenier Community Center, Building C, 220 West Willow Street, turn left off Evangeline Thruway

Contact:   Peggy Matt, 337-232-3737

Wednesday, October 22

Lake Charles, 10-12noon

Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau

1205 North Lakeshore Drive, directly off I-10

Contact:   Shelley Johnson, 337/436-9588

Friday, October 24                      

Gretna, 10-12noon

German Cultural Center, 519 Huey P. Long Avenue

Contact:   Virgie Ott, 504/363-1580

Project-initiation round of public meetings were held:

Monday, April 21, Baton Rouge
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, Louisiana Room
Quail Drive near the Pennington Center off Perkins Road
10-12 noon
contact: Sharon Calcote, Louisiana Office of Tourism, 225/342-8142
Elinor Craven, Louisiana Office of State Parks, Division of Outdoor Recreation, 225/342-8188
Sean LeBlanc, Capital RC&D Council, 985/543-6570

Tuesday, April 22, Houma
Wildlife Museum
7910 West Park Avenue
2-4 pm
contact: Sharon Alford, Houma-Terrebonne CVB, 985/868-2732

Wednesday, April 23, Chalmette
Government Building Complex — Council Chamber
8201 West Judge Perez Drive
10-12noon
contact: Elizabeth McDougall, St. Bernard Parish Tourist Commission, 504/278-4242
Alton James, Bayouland RC&D Council, 504/828-1866

Thursday, April 24, Lafayette
Clifton Chenier Community Center, Building C (337/291-8000)
220 West Willow Street (off Evangeline Thruway)
10-12noon
contact: Peggy Matt, Lafayette CVB, 337/232-3737

Friday, April 25, Lake Charles
Southwest Louisiana CVB office 1205 North Lakeshore Drive
10-12noon
contact: Shelley Johnson, 337/436-9588

Last updated: September 29, 2003