The LSU Hilltop Arboretum will host FrogWatch training and its annual symposium in January.
The training session takes place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Beverly Brown Coates Auditorium, 11855 Highland Road.
The training, in partnership with the Louisiana Master Naturalists of Greater Baton Rouge, will teach participants how to become a FrogWatch community scientist and monitor frogs and toads throughout Louisiana.
“Help protect these important amphibians by gathering valuable information on frog and toad populations, distribution and seasonal timing,” a news release says. “Learn how to identify calling frogs and toads at wetlands in your community and add your observations to a national dataset.”
Katherine Gividen leads the class, which costs $10 for members of Hilltop and the Louisiana Master Naturalists of Greater Baton Rouge, and $15 for nonmembers.
The arboretum’s annual symposium, “Irises’ Tale of Conservation and Adaptation,” will run from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in the Main Library at Goodwood’s conference room, 7711 Goodwood Blvd.
The symposium’s speakers will include Patrick O’Connor, Charles Perilloux and Dana Nunez Brown.
“Louisiana irises are a critical part of Louisiana natural heritage that have been greatly impacted by land use and climate change,” a news release says. “During this symposium, speakers will discuss iris species found in Louisiana, their discovery and their natural history.”
O’Connor and Perilloux, iris experts, will share their knowledge of irises and how their distribution has changed over time, weaving in stories of human-plant interactions. They will also discuss the future of irises and what is needed for their conservation and adaptation.
Expanding on her book, “Using Plants for Stormwater Management,” architect Brown will focus on how irises and other species provide important ecosystem services and can be critical plants for stormwater management.
After the presentations, an interactive panel discussion will be open to questions from attendees.
Registration is free for members at level $500 and above, $50 for members and $65 for nonmembers.
For more information about these events or how to become a member, call Hilltop at (225) 767-6916, visit www.lsu.edu/hilltop or email hilltop@lsu.edu.
