Field Trips to Turtle Cove
Turtle Cove is pleased to be able to offer a variety 
of exciting and educational field experiences for schools and other groups interested in wetland and aquatic sciences. Field trips are available in both the spring and fall semesters and feature demonstrations, discussions, and hands-on exploration of the Manchac wetlands, all facilitated by professional scientists. In addition to Turtle Cove staff, quite often Southeastern students working on either research or service-learning projects will assist visiting groups, lending a different perspective to these already unique outings. A typical field trip day involves meeting at the boat dock/classroom for a discussion of wetlands ecosystems, environmental issues, and exploration of various physical and biological aspects of the Manchac wetlands. After hands-on collection of animals and environmental data, the class boards a 40-foot pontoon boat for a trip to the wetlands surrounding the research station. Situation changes since August 2005 necessitate a schedule that emphasizes more work at the dock/classroom and a boat ride to observe wildlife and conduct environmental sampling without the traditional visit to Turtle Cove.
Once the research station has been fully restored, groups will again be welcome to visit and field trips will once again be centered at the research facility itself.
During the remainder of the field trip, various aspects of wetlands ecology and environmental science are discussed, including wetlands 
ecology, baldcypress and marsh restoration, plant and animal adaptations to the wetland environment, and the many environmental problems (and their solutions) of the Lake Pontchartrain basin. These discussions are accompanied and emphasized by a variety of educational games and activities, including biological and environmental sampling. Students may expect to see a variety of wildlife, including alligators, birds, nutria, snakes, and fish as well as the various wetland plants that support these animals.
Tour leaders are very accommodating and willing to tailor each field trip to meet any particular thematic units or learning objectives teachers may be covering in class.
A donation of $10 per student is requested to help support and maintain our education and outreach programs. Donations should be made by check, payable to “Southeastern 
Development Foundation,” and should be given to the field trip leader on the day of your visit.
For more detail or information on field trips, please contact the biologist on staff,