The LSU AgCenter and The Mosaic Company officially opened the Mosaic Boardwalk at Black Swamp and kicked off the Mosaic Wetlands Education Program at the Botanic Gardens at Burden. LSU Vice President for Agriculture Bill Richardson, left, and Steven Susick, general manager of Mosaic’s Louisiana operations, cut the ribbon at the entrance of the boardwalk at a ceremony on Oct. 11. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

A boardwalk constructed with funds donated by The Mosaic Company guides visitors through a swamp at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens. The boardwalk also has an integral role in a new wetlands education program for school field trips. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

LSU Vice President for Agriculture Bill Richardson, right, greets attendees of an Oct. 11 ribbon-cutting ceremony as they make their way onto the newly constructed boardwalk at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

News Release Distributed 10/12/15

BATON ROUGE, La. – A recently constructed boardwalk guiding visitors through a hardwood swamp called Black Swamp at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden will play a key role in a new wetlands education program.

The boardwalk and wetlands program are funded by a $175,000 grant from The Mosaic Company, a producer of phosphate and potash fertilizers. AgCenter and Mosaic representatives officially opened the Mosaic Boardwalk at Black Swamp and kicked off the Mosaic Wetlands Education Program at a ceremony on Oct. 11.

“We are thankful for Mosaic and their commitment to the educational programs at Burden,” said LSU Vice President for Agriculture Bill Richardson. “This is one way we help our future by helping young people get educated about wetlands and the impact that they have on this state.”

“The Mosaic Company is proud to have partnered with the LSU AgCenter to construct the Mosaic Boardwalk at Black Swamp and develop the Mosaic Wetlands Education Program,” said Steven Susick, general manager of Mosaic’s Louisiana operations. “Both students and families alike now have an opportunity to learn about the benefits and importance of our area’s watersheds and wetlands – all while walking through the beautiful Black Swamp.”

The boardwalk and wetlands program add another facet to the Trees and Trails program at the Botanic Gardens, which teaches school-age children about forestry and environmental stewardship.

“This swamp is over 200 years old. It’s really a nice asset to have on this property that we can now start using as a teaching tool,” said Jeff Kuehny, director of the Botanic Gardens.

Students visiting the Botanic Gardens on field trips will get to do hands-on activities at stations in Black Swamp, where they can learn about wetlands and their role in Louisiana ecosystems.

The program includes a stop at a pond to demonstrate how that habitat supports various wildlife and plant species. Students can also go on a scavenger hunt along the boardwalk to learn about the trees and plants found in Black Swamp.

More information about the wetlands program, including details on scheduling fieldtrips, can be found at www.discoverburden.com.

Olivia McClure