Dr. Charles Allen Nature Preserve
Background
The Charles Allen Nature Preserve is an 80-acre outdoor classroom located in the rolling Ouachita Hills Region near Columbia, Louisiana, about 30 miles from Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½.
The property was donated to Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ in 2000 by Dr. Harry Winters, in honor of Dr. Charles Allen, a former Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ professor and renowned botanist in Louisiana. Dr. Winters and Dr. Allen have co-authored several books on Louisiana and Gulf South plant species, and the Charles Allen Nature Preserve serves as one of their greatest contributions to conservation.
Efforts are currently underway to improve accessibility for students and researchers. The goal is to transform this biological station into a premier research site for scientists across Louisiana and beyond.
2016 Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ BioBlitz
On October 29, 2016, Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ biology students and faculty organized the Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ BioBlitz, an event to showcase the Charles Allen Nature Preserve. This student-led event featured guided hikes across the rolling Ouachita Hills, allowing participants to identify as many species as possible—i²Ô³¦±ô³Ü»å¾±²Ô²µ birds, plants, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and butterflies.
Goals of the BioBlitz
- 📌 Discover, learn about, and document the biological diversity of the Charles Allen Nature Preserve.
- 📌 Educate students and faculty on natural history and biodiversity.
- 📌 Engage both science and non-science majors in hands-on outdoor experiences.
- 📌 Strengthen the connection between faculty and students through experiential learning.
- 📌 Promote conservation awareness and research on Louisiana’s biodiversity.
Event Schedule
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM | 🌅 Early Bird Hike (Primary focus: Birds, but all species are included) |
| 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM | 📢 Welcome Address & Exploration (Meet the faculty, view live specimens, and tally morning species counts) |
| 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | 🌿 Nature Hike 1 (Focus: Reptiles, amphibians, and mammal tracks) |
| 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | 🦋 Nature Hike 2 (Focus: Insects, plants, fungi, and birds) |
| 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM | 📊 Tally Up & Check Out (Final species count, awards, and closing remarks) |
Registration
Interested in participating? Click the link below to register for the 2016 BioBlitz: