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Nature - Free Monthly Program
Environmental Programming
Grown by the MJ Sindler Family Fund for Culture & Media
Fall 2026 Schedule Now Available
Free and Open to Everyone - No Registration Required - Tuesday evenings at Moncus Park, September through November
Weekly - Tuesday evenings - September through November
Connect with nature through expert-led sessions in conservation, native gardening, and wildlife observation. Each evening features hands-on activities - from conservation projects to guided walks, cultural demonstrations, and citizen science.
Our program welcomes beginners and experienced naturalists alike, creating opportunities for environmental learning and community building in Acadiana.
What to Expect
Expert-led sessions
Hands-on activities and guided walks
Beginners and naturalists both welcome
Conservation and citizen science projects
Cultural and community programming
Free - no registration required
Fall 2026 Schedule
Here's the full lineup of programs running this fall. Click any event for full details.
Conservation Club
Get your hands dirty and make a real impact at Conservation Club, a hands-on volunteer program focused on caring for and restoring Moncus Park's natural spaces. Participants work alongside park staff and community experts on meaningful conservation projects while learning about local ecosystems, plant identification, and the behind-the-scenes work that keeps the Park thriving.
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Nature Walks
Join us for Nature Walks this fall with the Acadiana Native Plant Project. These guided walks invite you to slow down and explore the park's diverse habitats while learning about the plants that shape our local landscape, including native and invasive species and their roles in supporting wildlife, pollination, and healthy stormwater systems.
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Bird Walk & Survey
Join Acadiana Master Naturalists for a guided evening walk through Moncus Park as we observe and survey local bird species in their natural habitat. Birders of all experience levels are welcome, from curious beginners to seasoned enthusiasts, families included. Bring binoculars and curiosity.
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The Buzz on Bugs
The Buzz on Bugs is a guided walk through Moncus Park in search of all things buzzing, crawling, and winged. Led by entomologist Anna Espinoza, the walk stops at the bug hotel before landing at the Amphitheater for hands-on exploration with the bug collection. It's a fun, curious way to meet the tiniest neighbors in the park.
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Seed Collection
Join Moncus Park's Conservation Team in the Cajun Prairie for a hands-on seed collection session. Participants will help gather native prairie seeds used to restore and expand habitat throughout the Park, learning to identify native plants along the way.
Closed-toe boots or shoes and gloves are recommended.
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Accordion Building Demonstration
Accordion Building Demonstration brings Martin Accordions to Moncus Park for a rare, up-close look at how a Cajun accordion is hand built. See the parts, learn the process, and even hold and play one of these handcrafted instruments, a true piece of Acadiana culture.
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Basket Weaving Demonstration: A Living Tradition
Basket Weaving Demonstration brings fourth-generation Coushatta basket maker Lucia Alfaro to Moncus Park to share the ancient art of longleaf pine needle "effigy" basketry, hand-woven baskets shaped like turtles, ducks, hummingbirds, and more. Watch this traditional Native craft come to life and see generations of stories woven into every piece.
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Trail Trek
Trail Trek is a guided walk through Moncus Park's woodland trails, led by our Conservation Team. Along the way, guides point out native trees, wildlife, and seasonal change while sharing why these wooded trails matter to the Park's ecosystem. It's a simple, welcoming way to connect with nature, great for families, nature lovers, and anyone looking to slow down and learn something new along the trail.
This trail is not ADA accessible.
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Louisiana Grass Roots Screening
Join us for a screening of Louisiana Grass Roots, a short documentary telling the story of Louisiana's forgotten prairie lands. The coastal prairie is an imperiled ecosystem right in our own backyard in Southwest Louisiana, and this film follows the people working to save it.
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Night Hike
Night Hike is a guided evening walk through Moncus Park after dark, led by our Conservation Team. As the Park transforms after sunset, guides point out the nocturnal wildlife and sounds that come alive once the sun goes down. Grab a flashlight and get ready to see (and hear!) the Park in a whole new light.
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