Discover Nature Programs

Through a partnership with the Louisiana Master Naturalist of Greater Baton Rouge (LMNGBR) we are proud to offer exciting new Discover Nature programs featuring local and national experts who are in touch with nature and are eager to share their experiences. All programs will be held in the Imo Brown Complex in the Beverly Brown Coates Auditorium at Hilltop Arboretum.

For Hilltop, LMNGBR members, and students registration is $10, $15 for non-members. Discover Nature programs are free for Members Magnolia Level ($250) and above. 

 

Medicinal Mycology
Featuring: Jordan Gros
Tuesday, March 25, 2025, 6:30-8pm

Join us and learn about our local Louisiana medicinal mushroom species!
 
Jordan Gros, a Biological Engineer and owner of Mycocentrics, will share personal insights from working with these mushrooms, helping us better understand their role in planetary, community, and individual well-being.  We’ll learn how to find these mushrooms and properly identify them, understand their properties and applications, and learn what you can do with these mushrooms if you find them in nature. Tapping into this knowledge will leave you with more confidence about how to incorporate these mushrooms into your daily living to support optimum health! 

Garden Allies
Featuring: Frank Rinkevich
Tuesday, April 22, 2025, 6:30-8pm  

Insects are among the most underappreciated but most critical components of a healthy ecosystem which provide many benefits to natural systems and greatly influence our culture and society. In this talk, we will discuss the many contributions insects have had on our human condition through natural selection, mythologies, and creating practical and valuable items for mankind. We will see how insects make the world go through nutrient recycling and ecosystem services as well as their contributions to the food chain for some of our most favorite creatures. The talk will conclude about current issues in the insect world and what you can do to help reverse the course on the demise of nature’s most important animals.

Dr. Rinkevich is a Research Entomologist at the USDA-ARS Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics, and Physiology Laboratory with training in toxicology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and genetics. A major focus of his research is on breeding for bees with Varroa sensitive hygiene (VSH) and understanding how genetics, geography, and environment affect the expression of VSH. Other research interests include the prevalence of amitraz resistance in Varroa, factors that affect amitraz toxicity, and development of effective miticide applications for amitraz resistant Varroa, and the effects of fungicides on honey bee colony performance and physiology.

For more information about this event, please contact us at LSU Hilltop Arboretum at 225-767-6916, visit www.lsu.edu/hilltop, or email info@friendsofhilltop.org.

Program Details

Hilltop, LMNGBR members and students $10
Non-members $15
Free for Hilltop Members Magnolia Level ($250) and above.

Medicinal Mycology
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
6:30-8:00pm

REGISTrATION FOR MEDICINAL MYCOLOGY

Garden Allies
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
6:30-8:00pm

Registration for Garden Allies

Questions? Contact Hilltop by email info@friendsofhilltop.org or call 225-767-6916.