The Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation is pleased to offer a variety of resources to all citizens in the Pontchartrain Basin. Our goal is to educate about important issues affecting the Basin and involve the community in efforts to help Save Our Lake and Save Our Coast.

The Foundation provides presentations, field programs, educational resources, and volunteer opportunities free of charge to teachers, students, schools, and civic groups. Contact our Education Department at (504) 836-2238 or e-mail us at joann@saveourlake.org for more information.

Presentations | Volunteer Opportunities | Swim Program | Field Program | Written Resources

Presentations

One of our staff will be happy to visit and give a presentation on basin related issues. We can also tailor subjects to suit your needs.

Subjects we cover include:
Katrina and Coastal Restoration
Subsidence, Global Warming and S.E. Louisiana
Water Quality
Non-point Source Pollution & Habitat Protection
Wetlands
Lake as Watershed

Volunteer Opportunities

Everyone is encouraged to participate in the annual Beach Sweep held the 3rd Saturday in September. The Sweep around the Lake is part of the International Coastal Cleanup sponsored by The Ocean Conservancy. Businesses, school groups, scout groups, church organizations, and individuals are welcome to contact us to get involved in this year's event. We'd like to thank our 2007 Presenting Sponsor, Toyota (www.buyatoyota.com). The Annual Louisiana Beach Sweep and Inland Waterway Cleanup is held the third Saturday in September in conjunction with the International Coastal Cleanup sponsored by the Ocean Conservancy (www.coastalcleanup.org). This year the date will be September 20, 2008.

Swim Lesson Opportunities

The Ashley Marie Kelly Swim Safety Program is a weeklong program held by LPBF’s education department every summer to provide swim safety instruction and free Red Cross swimming lessons to anyone over the age of five in the Lake Pontchartrain Basin.Volunteers are needed to assist in this program.  This year there will be 2 programs offered.  LPBF in partnership with Southeast Louisiana Red Cross and Tulane University Reily Center will offer FREE Water Safety Instructor Lessons. (value of $250) and FREE swimming lessons. The WSI’s will assist in teaching the swimming lessons.

Program 1:  WSI lessons
Who: anyone 16 years or older
What: Water Safety Instructor lessons
When:- July 28- Aug 3  6 to 9 M-F and  10 to 5 Sat/Sun
Classes to be taught Monday, Aug 4  - Friday, August 8, 2008  8:30am-12noon
Where: Classes to be at Tulane Reily Center on Tulane University Campus
parking on 5th and 6th floor of Diboll Parking Garage on Tulane Campus
To Register:  Call JoAnn at 504-836-2238 or email joann@saveourlake.org

Program 2:  Ashley Marie Kelly Swimming Lessons
Who: Children and Adults age 5 and older
What:   a FREE week of 45 minute classes teaching water safety, litter awareness, and American Red Cross swimming lessons.
When:  Monday Aug 4 – Friday, August 8, 2008
Where:  Tulane University Reily Student Recreation Center
Located on the McAlister Extension off Willow St. in New Orleans. Park in the Diboll Parking Garage on the 5th or 6th floor.
Registration: begins July 9th. Call 504-836-2238, give your name, contact phone number, age of participant. Lessons at 9am, 10am, and 11am

TO BRING: Come in a swimsuit and bring a towel.

The swimming lessons and litter awareness programs are a partnership event sponsored by the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, the American Red Cross, Tulane University, and The Ashley Marie Kelly Foundation. Call JoAnn at Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation (836-2238) for more information.

Field Program

Water Watch
Get your students involved! Each year, the Foundation guides up to 25 teachers in leading students through a year-long study of water quality. After an introductory presentation by one of our staff, the groups test water in drainage canals throughout the New Orleans metropolitan area and rivers and streams on the North Shore. Students conduct biweekly tests for fecal coliform bacteria, pH, dissolved oxygen and turbidity. At the end of the school year the students present their results to staff members and an audience of their choice. To get your class involved, call JoAnn at (504) 836-2238.