News Release Distributed 01/14/14

LAKE CHARLES, La. – The LSU AgCenter will hold a day-long workshop on Feb. 11 for people interested in starting businesses based on ecotourism and agriculture.

The program will start with registration at 8 a.m. at the LSU AgCenter Calcasieu Parish office at 7101 Gulf Highway and end at 3:30 p.m.

Cost of the workshop is $25 for an individual or $30 for a couple. Attendees who register by Feb. 6 will receive take-home material.

“The workshop will serve to showcase some unique aspects of the Chenier Plain region of Louisiana’s coast,” said Kevin Savoie, LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Sea Grant agent in Cameron Parish.

“Traditionally, ecotourism has meant charter fishing and hunting, but recently, we are seeing more interest in birding, photography, marsh tours, airboat rides and alligator hunts,” Savoie said. “There is a lot of potential in this area.”

LSU AgCenter agritourism coordinator Dora Ann Hatch said individuals with natural resource tourism businesses will be on hand to answer questions.

Topics will include:

– Recreational enterprise potential on your land.

– The success of the Yellow Rails and Rice Festival.

– Legal considerations.

– Soil management for waterfowl.

– Marketing an outdoor recreational business.

– Using public land.

– Economics of ecotourism.

– Birding ventures.

Following lunch, the session will move to the boathouse at Miller’s Lake to hear about the Creole Nature Trail, alligators and airboats, wildlife photography and native plants. Transportation by van will be available.

To register or get more information, contact Twyla Herrington with Louisiana Sea Grant at 504-858-9826 or by email; Savoie at 337-660-8519 or by email; or Hatch at 318-245-6791 or by email.