Interested in birds or birdwatching? LSU New Orleans's urban-situated campus is an important migratory flyway with an active birder community!
Click the link below to learn about the species of birds observed at LSU New Orleans.
In 2021, LSU New Orleans received a $34,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to create an urban bird habitat on campus and support educational programming connected to environmental conservation. The grant funded habitat restoration, the creation of a birding trail on campus, and educational experiences for LSU New Orleans TRiO Upward Bound students.
The project established a 1-mile birding trail at LSU New Orleans—with interpretive signage, designated parking, and an accompanying website—and project leaders conducted regular bird counts to monitor populations along the route. The Greater New Orleans chapters of the Native Plant Initiative and Louisiana Master Naturalists worked with volunteers to plant native trees and shrubs at two sites along the trail—totaling 4 acres—enhancing campus canopy and providing birds with needed refuge.
Elizabeth Sigler, John Bishop, and Dan Shahar submitted and received the grant.
Audubon Delta: New Orleans Rooftop_Nesting Pilot Year 2023 (LSU New Orleans Least Terns)
Orleans Audubon Society: The Ibis, Dec. 23 - Jan. 24 (LSU New Orleans Chimney Swifts and Least Terns)
USFWS Winter 2022 News (pg.3)
The goal of the grant was to plant 120 trees and shrubs. The total trees planted throughout the life of the grant amounted to 140 trees/shrubs and 43 perennials—significantly exceeding initial expectations.
On January 29, 2022 — 58 trees and shrubs:
On April 1, 2022 — 8 trees:
On December 3, 2022 — 43 perennials
On December 3, 2022 — 37 trees:
On January 28, 2023 — 37 trees:
If approaching from Leon C. Simon Drive:
Turn into campus on Founders Road—the road closest to the London Avenue Canal. Follow Founders Road until it curves and becomes Levee Road. A parking area will be on your right.
If approaching from Lakeshore Drive:
Turn into campus from Lake Pontchartrain and turn right on Levee Road. Before the road curves and becomes Founders Road, a parking area will be on your left.
If approaching from Elysian Fields Avenue:
Turn into campus on Alumni Drive, passing the University Center. Turn right on Milneburg Road. Follow Milneburg Road until it curves and becomes Levee Road. Before the road curves again and becomes Founders Road, a parking area will be on your left.