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Service Learning with Earthwatch: Loons and the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill

Program Number: 20967RJ
Start and End Dates:
1/18/2013 - 1/26/2013;
Duration: 8 nights
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Price starting at: $2,398.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Service Learning; Science & Nature; Natural History
Meals: 22; 8 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 7 Dinners    

It was one of the worst ecological disasters in history. In 2010, more than 205 million gallons of crude oil were released into the Gulf of Mexico during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill — an event that continues to impact the species that call this region home. In a group of just eight volunteers, help scientists as they study the effects of the oil spill on the Common Loon, a seabird that spends up to six months of the year in the Gulf before returning to parts of the northern U.S. and Canada. Through field research and laboratory testing, gain insight into the diets, habitats and movements of the Common Loon, and consider how the oil spill has impacted their immune systems and mortality rates.




Highlights

• Assist in the night capture of Common Loons and aid scientists in measuring, banding and data collection.
• Receive training in lab work that is essential to maintaining proper data and research.
• Enjoy two days and nights to explore New Orleans, including a field trip to the Louisiana State Museum’s “Living With Hurricanes” exhibit.



Activity Particulars

Walking 1-2 miles per day; significant use of motorboats in field work.



Single room upgrades are available during your stay in New Orleans.




Date Specific Information

1-18-2013

Post stay in New Orleans is higher rate due to Mardi Gras parades. Contact Holiday Inn for specifics.



Itinerary Summary

Arrival New Orleans, 2 nights; coach to Port Sulphur, 6 nights; coach to New Orleans, departure.




New Orleans

The Crescent City is among the United States' most unique and colorful cities, owing in part to the various heritages and cultures that influenced its growth over the past 300 years, including Cajun, Creole and French, a rich blend apparent in everything from the city’s architecture and cuisine, to its dialects and corner cafés.
Accommodations
New Orleans: comfortable hotel. Port Sulphur: field house, single and double rooms, shared baths.
Meals and Lodgings
   Holiday Inn New Orleans Downtown
  New Orleans, LA 2 nights
   Port Sulpher Field Station
  Port Sulpher, Louisiana 6 nights
 Holiday Inn New Orleans Downtown
Type: Full Service Hotel
  Description: The first sounds of jazz were heard in the dance halls on the very blocks surrounding the hotel. Magnificent jazz murals commemorating this historic neighborhood including a 150-foot clarinet mural...New Orleans newest landmark! The hotel, in the heart of downtown, is 6 blocks from the French Quarter. True Southern hospitality will make you feel right at home while still close to all the action. There is a complimentary shuttle bus to New Orleans' most popular attractions, including the French Quarter. Multi-lingual staff.
  Contact info: 330 Loyola Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70112 USA
phone: 504-581-1600
web: www.holidayinnneworleans.com
  Room amenities: Iron/Ironing Board, Coffee Maker, Hairdryer.
  Facility amenities: Outdoor Pool, High-speed Internet Access, Health/Fitness Center On-Site, ATM/Cash Machine, Concierge Services, Dry Cleaning Pickup/Laundry, Ice Machine, Newsstand, Porter/Bellman, Room Service, Safety Deposit Box available at Front Desk.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: $129 plus tax Call the hotel to make individual reservations. 504-267-5833 Mon-Fri 9-5 CT Ask for Trudy Guidroz. Do not speak to national reservations. The following dates require a 2 night minimum stay:Feb10 and 11, March 16 and 17, March 23 and 24. April 27 and 28, May 4 and 5($149 per night) May 11 and 12($149 per nt), Oct 12 and 13 ($149). Oct 26 and 27
  Check in time: 3:00 PM

 Port Sulpher Field Station
Type: Field Station
  Contact info: 27335 Hwy 23
Port Sulpher, LA 70083 USA
phone: 197-845-0122 x1
  Smoking allowed: No
  Bathroom: 4 bathrooms to be shared by all


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Hotel check in: Sunday 3:30 pm. If you arrive earlier you can check in if your room is available. Bellmen will store your luggage until your room is ready. Registration:3:45 pm. Orientation: 4:15-6:00pm. Dinner: 6:00 pm. You will be staying at Holiday Inn New Orleans Downtown that night.
  End of Program:
Breakfast is 7:00-8:30 am. Lecture: 8:30-11am. Take away lunch provided: 11am (or you may eat with group in hotel). Hotel checkout: Noon. Bellmen will store luggage if you are leaving later. You will be staying at Port Sulpher Field Station the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
425 Parking Spaces. Regular Daily Parking Fee: $15.00 plus tax - special negotiated daily rate for Road Scholar $7 plus tax. Covered, indoor garage attached to hotel. Garage is a self-park and lock facility. Bus and RV parking also available for a fee.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  New Orleans, LA
  Nearest highway: Interstate 10
  Nearest airport:  New Orleans, Louis Armstrong
  From End of Program
  Location: New Orleans, LA
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (Airport Code: MSY)

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Airport Shuttle
phone: 504-522-3500

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$18--subject to change
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

20 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

5 miles
   

Shuttle may stop at other hotels. Taxi is cheaper for 2 -4 persons $30 for 2 plus extra for 3rd and 4th person. Train/bus station is 7 blocks from hotel and taxis are available.
 

The New Orleans Greyhound bus station is approximately 7 blocks from the hotel.

 

From Bus Terminal

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi

 

Distance:

 

7 blocks
   

You can make reservations with Greyhound via their website at www.greyhound.com or by phone at (800) 229-9424.
 
Driving Directions
  From east Take I-10 to Canal St. exit. Take a right on Canala and then a right on Loyola Ave. Hotel will be 2 blocks up on the left.
  From west I-10 E to Loyola Avenue exit. Go 6 blocks and the hotel will be on your right.
Elevation Note: Totally flat terrain

Equipment Requirements: No equipment
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Arrival & Hotel Check-in, Program Registration & Orientation, Dinner & Introduction to New Orleans
(Friday, January 18)
   
 Afternoon: HOTEL CHECK-IN: Available from 4:00pm.

PROGRAM REGISTRATION: After you have your room assignment, come over to the Road Scholar desk in the lobby to pick up your arrival packet containing your name tag, up-to-date schedule, and other important information.

Please be aware that program activities and scheduled times could change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible.

ORIENTATION: During the orientation session, you'll have an informative overview of the program plus an opportunity to meet the local staff and your fellow participants during an introductory get-acquainted session. We’ll review the updated schedule, cover responsibilities, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. (If you arrive late, please pick up your packet at the hotel front desk.)

 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel. Variety of New Orleans special dishes from which to choose.
 Evening: PRESENTATION: New Orleans and Its Unique French Quarter. Your instructor is from New Orleans and loves her city. Learn and be entertained at the same time.

This new service learning program is a cooperative effort between Road Scholar and Earthwatch. During the service learning project portion of the program, you will be working with and assisting scientists in their research. It is a cooperative effort in many ways. For example, participants assist in meal preparation and clean-up at the Earthwatch field station.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn New Orleans Downtown
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: The Oil Spill & Its Aftermath, City Field Trip Including Katrina Museum, Preservation Hall
(Saturday, January 19)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at hotel. Spread of eggs, meats, oatmeal, grits, yogurts,fruit, cereals, pastries. The choice is yours.
 Morning: PRESENTATION: Oil Spill Clean Up First Responders. Meet a team member from one of the first groups of responders for the oil spill clean up, a long time resident who will tell you what the experience was really like.
 Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant. New Orleans is known for its special southern dishes--you will have choices.
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Get an overview of the city’s environment including Lake Pontchartrain, Bayou St. John, City Park with its magnificent oak trees, and the famous above-ground cemeteries. You’ll also see a neighborhood that still shows the effects of Hurricane Katrina and visit the Katrina Museum.
 Dinner: DINNER ON YOUR OWN: Choose from the multitude of options to savor the flavors of your choice (at your expense). The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. If you’re interested in one of the famous New Orleans restaurants, we advise that you make reservations well in advance.
 Evening: EXTRACURRICULAR: You’ll have a voucher to attend Preservation Hall in a building originally constructed in 1750. After numerous incarnations from private home to tavern to art gallery, Preservation Hall opened its doors in 1961 as a shrine and sanctuary to protect and honor New Orleans Jazz. Patrons flock to hear New Orleans jazz played by veterans in their 70's and 80's and younger musicians learning and embracing this music that animates your spirit.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn New Orleans Downtown
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3: Transfer to Port Sulphur, Begin Service Project
(Sunday, January 20)

Note: Field trips in Gulf
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet.
 Morning: TRANSFER: A van from Earthwatch will pick up the group and drive to Port Sulpher to begin work on the service project, "Loons and the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill." The trip should be approximately an hour-and-a-half depending on traffic.
 Lunch: Arrive at the Earthwatch field station and have lunch -- typically sandwiches (cold-cuts), fruit, and vegetables. During the project, participants assist in meal preparation and clean-up.
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Under the guidance of Earthwatch scientists, you’ll take the boat out and spend time on the water, helping to gather data on habitat use, daily and seasonal movements and behavior of loons. At the end of the afternoon, we return to dock and drive back to the field station.
 Dinner: Join in helping to prepare the evening meal and eat together. Dinners may include pasta, rice, tortillas, seafood, meat, vegetables, fruit (depending on seasonal availability).
 Evening: VARIABLE: Evening activities range from night capture of loons and related research to presentations and discussions, entering data, and free time for relaxation.
   
Accommodations: Port Sulpher Field Station
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Service Learning Project: Loons and the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill
(Monday, January 21)

Note: late evening captures
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast typically includes choices such as oatmeal, cereal, eggs, pancakes, toast, fruit.
 Morning: SERVICE PROJECT: Go over the capture protocol for the evening, go over data sheets, assign specific duties to individuals and ensure that everyone is comfortable with the evening's capture protocol.
 Lunch: Typically sandwiches (cold-cuts), fruit, vegetables.
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Spend several hours on the water looking for loons and gathering data on behavior and habitat use. Or, we will try to get radio signals by driving along the point and getting out on the levees. At the end of the field trip, we'll return to the field station.
 Dinner: Early Dinner. Join in helping to prepare the evening meal and eat together. Dinners may include pasta, rice, tortillas, seafood, meat, vegetables, fruit (depending on seasonal availability).
 Evening: FIELD TRIP: First team goes out in the boat and assists in capture, which can take anywhere from one to one-and-a-half hours. After we catch one bird, the first team will return and the second team will head out on the boat. As long as the weather is cooperative and capture conditions are good, we will keep going until midnight.
   
Accommodations: Port Sulpher Field Station
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Service Learning Project: Loons and the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill
(Tuesday, January 22)

Note: enter data
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast typically includes choices such as oatmeal, cereal, eggs, pancakes, toast, fruit.
 Morning: SERVICE PROJECT: Go over the capture protocol for the evening, go over data sheets, assign specific duties to individuals and ensure that everyone is comfortable with the evening's capture protocol.
 Lunch: Typically sandwiches (cold-cuts), fruit, vegetables.
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Spend several hours on the water looking for loons and gathering data on behavior and habitat use. Or, we will try to get radio signals by driving along the point and getting out on the levees. At the end of the field trip, we'll return to the field station.
 Dinner: Early Dinner. Join in helping to prepare the evening meal and eat together. Dinners may include pasta, rice, tortillas, seafood, meat, vegetables, fruit (depending on seasonal availability).
 Evening: Depart Field station. First team of volunteers goes out in the boat and assists in capture, which can take anywhere from one-to one and a half hours. After we catch one bird, the second team of volunteers will head back out on the boat. As long as weather is cooperative and capture conditions are good, we will keep going until midnight.
   
Accommodations: Port Sulpher Field Station
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Service Learning Project: Loons and the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill
(Wednesday, January 23)

Note: gather info on loon behavior
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast typically includes choices such as oatmeal, cereal, eggs, pancakes, toast, fruit.
 Lunch: Typically sandwiches (cold-cuts), fruit, vegetables.
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Spend several hours on the water looking for loons and gathering data on behavior and habitat use. Or, we will try to get radio signals by driving along the point and getting out on the levees. At the end of the field trip, we'll return to the field station.
 Dinner: Early Dinner. Join in helping to prepare the evening meal and eat together. Dinners may include pasta, rice, tortillas, seafood, meat, vegetables, fruit (depending on seasonal availability).
 Evening: Depart Field station. First team of volunteers goes out in the boat and assists in capture, which can take anywhere from one-to one and a half hours. After we catch one bird, the second team of volunteers will head back out on the boat. As long as weather is cooperative and capture conditions are good, we will keep going until midnight.
   
Accommodations: Port Sulpher Field Station
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Service Learning Project: Loons and the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill
(Thursday, January 24)

Note: 6 hours on water
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast typically includes choices such as oatmeal, cereal, eggs, pancakes, toast, fruit. We'll also pack lunches for later.
 Morning: DAY PREP: go over the day's objectives, pack lunch.

FIELD TRIP: Depart for one of two boat launches. Teams will take a boat out and spend 6-8 hours on the water, where we will gather data on habitat use, daily and seasonal movements and behavior.

 Lunch: We'll have the lunches we prepared this morning.
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP continues.
 Dinner: Dinners may include pasta, rice, tortillas, seafood, meat, vegetables, fruit (depending on seasonal availability).
 Evening: VARIABLE: Evening activities range from night capture of loons and related research to presentations and discussions, entering data, and free time for relaxation.
   
Accommodations: Port Sulpher Field Station
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Service Learning Project: Loons and the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill
(Friday, January 25)

Note: study loons
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast typically includes choices such as oatmeal, cereal, eggs, pancakes, toast, fruit. We'll also pack lunches for later.
 Morning: DAY PREP: We'll go over the day's objectives.

FIELD TRIP: Depart for one of two boat launches. Teams will take a boat out and spend 6-8 hours on the water, where we will gather data on habitat use, daily and seasonal movements and behavior.

 Lunch: We'll have the lunches we prepared this morning.
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP continues.
 Dinner: Dinners may include pasta, rice, tortillas, seafood, meat, vegetables, fruit (depending on seasonal availability).
 Evening: VARIABLE: Evening activities range from night capture of loons and related research to presentations and discussions, entering data, and free time for relaxation.
   
Accommodations: Port Sulpher Field Station
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Return to New Orleans
(Saturday, January 26)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast typically includes choices such as oatmeal, cereal, eggs, pancakes, toast, fruit. We'll also pack lunches for later.
 Morning: After breakfast depart for New Orleans where you will be brought either to Holiday Inn or the airport.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities
  
  New Orleans, LA ATTRACTIONS & EXCURSIONS
Aquarium of the Americas Audubon Zoo (Streetcar or boat) Cafe du Monde Free Ferry Flea Market French Market Glassworks School IMAX Theater Mardi Gras World - Free Ferry Ride Natchez Steamboat Riverwalk Marketplace St. Charles Streetcar
  HISTORIC HOMES
Beauregard-Keyes House Faulkner House Gallier House Ursuline Convent
  MUSEUMS & EXHIBITS
Louisiana State Museum (closed on Monday) Confederate Museum (929 Camp St) New Orleans Museum of Art and Sculpture Garden - cab ride or street car Musee Conti (Wax Museum) St. Louis Cathedral Voodoo Museum National D.Day Museum (945 Magazine St-open 9:00 - 5:00) Ogden Museum of Southern Art (925 Camp St.; Tues. - Sun. 9:30am - 5:30 pm Thursdays until 8:30pm. Closed on Mondays.)
  NIGHTCLUBS & MUSIC
Gazebo (daily jazz outdoors) House of Blues Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Maison Bourbon Market Café (daily jazz outdoors) Mid City Lanes Rock n Bowl - Cab ride Mulate's Palm Court Jazz Café - cab ride Pat O' Briens' Patout's Cajun Corner Preservation Hall Storyville District Tipitina's Snug Harbor - cab ride
  PERFORMING ARTS
Contemporary Arts Center Le Petit Theatre
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


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