EVENT DETAILS:
20th Annual Eagle Expo
Event Dates: February 21st-22nd, 2024
The annual Eagle Expo invites visitors into the heart of the Atchafalaya Basin to experience boat tours of various waterways, presentations by wildlife & birding experts, and guest speaker dinner.
Click here to purchase tickets : 20th Annual Eagle Expo Tickets
The annual Eagle Expo invites visitors into the heart of the Atchafalaya Basin to experience boat tours visiting various waterways, presentations by wildlife & birding experts, and a guest speaker dinner.
Homeschool Groups/Private Schools
Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 10 am, Patterson Civic Center, 116 Cotten Road, Patterson, 70392
* This event is sponsored by Atchafalaya National Heritage Area
Thursday, February 20, 2025, at 6:00 pm, Bayou Vista Community Center, 1333 Belleview Street, Morgan City, 70380
* This event is sponsored by Atchafalaya National Heritage Area
Animalogy:
Bob Tarter will bring multiple animals to show and tell for an interesting educational event.
The Natural History Educational Company of the Midsouth was incorporated 2005. A lifelong nature enthusiast, Bob has a degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign). He spent time as a biologist for Ducks Unlimited and was a wildlife researcher and biologist the Department of Natural Resources for the State of Indiana. Bob lives with his wife, Beth, their two children, and the entire NHECM animal family in Middle Tennessee.
NHECM takes pride on imparting an appreciation for the natural world through EDUCATION and sharing our KNOWLEDGE. Our programmers are professionally educated wildlife biologists, naturalists and educators who demonstrate a passion for teaching others. Our regular clients know and appreciate the training and expertise in which our programmers handle our exhibit animals and recognize the need for strict behavior guidelines expected of attendees. This ensures a safe and comfortable environment for all participants (animals and humans alike!) and a learning experience of a lifetime.
Another unique aspect of our family-run company is that our animal exhibits are considered family, too! Many of our animals are obtained when they are young and hand-raised by Bob and his family in their home. All of our animals find a forever home at our small farm and will live there for the remainder of their lives as retirees long past the time they are willing to program and travel.
Boat Tours:
Boat Tour #1 – Atchafalaya Basin Tour with Captain Caviar, Friday: February 21, 2025, 2 hours, 10 am
Boat Tour #2 – Turtle Bayou Tour with LUMCON, Friday: February 21, 2025, 2 hours, at 10 am, 164 Marina Drive, Gibson, 70356
Boat Tour #3 – Atchafalaya Basin Tour with Captain Caviar, Friday: February 21, 2025, 2 hours, 1 pm – (1 seat left)
Boat Tour #4 – Turtle Bayou Tour with LUMCON, Friday: February 21, 2025, 2 hours, 1 pm, 164 Marina Drive, Gibson, 70356
Boat Tour #5 – PHOTOGRAPHY only tour Bayou Black Tour with Billy Gaston, 164 Marina Drive, Gibson, 70356, Friday: February 21, 2025, 2 hours, 1 pm
Boat Tour #6 – Atchafalaya Basin Tour with Captain Caviar, Saturday: February 22, 2025, 3 hours, 8 am – Sold Out
Boat Tour #7 – Bayou Long Tour with Captain Ivy, Saturday: February 22, 2025, 3 hours, 7 am
Boat Tour #8 – Atchafalaya Basin Captain Caviar, Saturday: February 22, 2025, 3 hours, 10:30 am Sold Out
Boat Tour #9 – Bayou Long Tour with Captain Ivy, Saturday: February 22, 2025, 3 hours, 10:30 am
Boat Tour #10- Turtle Bayou Tour with LUMCON, Saturday: February 22, 2025, 2 hours, 2 pm, 164 Marina Drive, Gibson, 70356
Boat Tour #11- Atchafalaya Basin Captain Caviar, Saturday: February 22, 2025, 3 hours, 2 pm Sold Out
Boat Tour #12 – Bayou Long Tour with Captain Ivy, Saturday: February 22, 2025, 3 hours, 2 pm
Boat Tour #13 – Bayou Black Tour with Billy Gaston, Saturday: February 22, 2025, 2 hours, 2 pm, 164 Marina Drive, Gibson, 70356
Walking Tours:
Walking Tour #1 – Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge – Franklin Trail, Friday: February 21, 2025, 2 hours, 9 am
Walking Tour #2 – Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge – Warbler Walk Trail, Friday: February 21, 2025, 2 hours, 1 pm
Walking Tour #3 – Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge – Palmetto Trail, Saturday: February 22, 2025, 2 hours, 1 pm
Sunset Social:
Sunset Social, Morgan City Wharf (Front Street), Friday: February 21, 2025, 1 hour, 5:30 pm
Speaker and Dinner: Friday, February 21, 2025, Bay City Bistro, 618 Front Street, Morgan City, LA 70380, 2 hours, 6:30 pm
Speaker Bren Haase, Program Director, Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program,
Bren joins BTNEP with over 30 years of experience in coastal wetlands ecology, restoration, and regulation in the private sector and with the state and federal government. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in marine biology from Auburn University and a Master’s degree in oceanography and coastal sciences from Louisiana State University.
Most Recently, Bren served as the Deputy Executive Director of the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA). Bren has held several leadership roles within the agency including Chairman of the CPRA Board, Executive Director, and Division Chief of Planning and Research. Additionally, Bren oversaw the development and legislative approval of two of Louisiana’s Comprehensive Master Plans for a Sustainable Coast in 2017 and 2023, and six Annual Plans from 2019 to 2024.
Bren’s career has resulted in notable accomplishments including the construction of several of the largest and most innovative restoration and protection projects in the State’s and Nation’s history. He was recently named as one of Biz New Orleans Magazine’s 2023 Executives of the Year; received the 2017 Governor’s Award for Conservationist of the Year presented by the Louisiana Wildlife Federation and the National Wildlife Federation; and the 2011 Sue Hawes Memorial Coastal Stewardship Award presented by the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana.
Bren has a close connection to the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary (BTNE) not only professionally but personally. He was raised in southeast Louisiana and has spent countless hours fishing, boating, birding, and hunting there. He and his wife, Sarah, have raised two sons, Sam and Jake, who often share their time as a family enjoying those activities and the ecological and cultural richness of the BTNE.
Speakers: Clarion Inn of Morgan City, 520 Roderick Street, Morgan City, 70380
TBD, 1 hour, Saturday, February 22, 2025 @ 8:00 am
Louisiana Big Year Birding Adventures, 1 hour, Saturday, February 22, 2025 @ 9:30 am
A panel discussion by Lawrence Datnoff, Michele Giroir, and Kathy Rhodes, facilitated by Marybeth Lima
Summary: Louisiana is one of the richest states in the country for birding, and there is great avian adventure to be had in all corners of the state, and everywhere in between. This fast-paced panel discussion will feature three birders who recently completed big year adventures, in which they sought to see at least 300 bird species in the state of Louisiana in a calendar year. Those who attend this panel will hear stories about birds seen and missed, favorite moments, inspirations and challenges, and reflections on birding and life. Attendants will also have the opportunity to ask questions.
Brief bios of panelists
Lawrence E. Datnoff is a professor of plant pathology at LSU/LSU AgCenter and his past research has focused on how mineral nutrition impacts plant disease development. In 2021, he became extremely interested in birding, especially after taking Jane Patterson’s birding class. Since then, his eyes and what’s left of his hearing have been directed towards learning about birds.
Michele Giroir has been a registered nurse for 25 years. She began her nursing career as a neonatal intensive care nurse at Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, and for the last 17 years has worked as a school nurse in Ascension parish. She has always had a love of nature, and discovered her love of birds after taking a beginners birding class in 2021. She now looks forward to spending as much time as she can exploring new places while appreciating all of the fascinating birds around her.
Kathy Rhodes was born and raised in Houma, Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana and has always loved birds and nature. Retired from a career in Information Technology, she started birding regularly about 12 years ago and “got serious” about 3 years ago. She birds primarily in Terrebonne Parish, Grand Isle, and southwest Louisiana. She usually avoids large cities and pelagics, which can limit the birds she sees. Kathy has birded all 64 parishes in LA, and credits meeting Marybeth Lima and reading her book “Adventures of Louisiana Birder” as inspiration for her first Big Year in 2023. Kathy’s motto is “Share the knowledge, Share the birds!”
Brief bio of facilitator
Marybeth Lima is a professor in Biological & Agricultural Engineering at LSU and the LSU AgCenter. She is the author of Adventures of a Louisiana Birder: One Year, Two Wings, 300 Species (LSU Press, 2019), which details Louisiana Big Year adventures and the connections between birds and life. Marybeth is thrilled at the myriad ripple effects of this book, including her involvement with the Eagle Expo and birders who have been inspired to undertake adventures of their own.
TBD, 1 hour, Saturday, February 22, 2025 @ 11 am
Commemorative T-Shirt:
Reserve your T-shirt today! Don’t risk your size being sold out. Limited supply will be available at the fest.
Dry Fit – Short Sleeve – Small – $20
Dry Fit – Short Sleeve – Medium – $20
Dry Fit – Short Sleeve – Large – $20
Dry Fit- Short Sleeve – X Large – $25
Dry Fit Short Sleeve – XX Large – $25
Dry Fit Short Sleeve – XXX Large – $25
Related Information & Resources:
- RESOURCE | Details
