Coaches Thank You A heartfelt thank you to all dedicated coaches who generously give time, energy, and patience to help shape a positive and supportive environment for youth. This commitment does not go unnoticed, the impact is felt in every practice, every game, and every encouraging word. The role played in the success of the leagues is truly valued and appreciated.
Environmental Education
Pelican Park Environmental Education: Explore, Learn, & Connect The Pelican Park Environmental Education Program continues to thrive, offering activities that encourage outdoor exploration and environmental stewardship. Highlights include the Pelican Park Nature Club and an Astronomy Program featuring powerful telescopes and a portable planetarium. These initiatives provide the community with hands-on ways to connect with nature and the night sky. For the latest event schedules and registration Pelican Park Nature Club: Adventures in Nature-Based Programs Pelican Park Nature Club programs, spearheaded by Alex Landry, Naturalist and Environmental Education Coordinator, have kept participants busy all year long. Program Highlights: Fontainebleau Early Birds: This bird walk occurs on the second Saturday of every month at Fontainebleau State Park. The group meets at the splash pad from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. to observe local bird species. To date, 76 unique species have been recorded during these outings. Beginners are welcome, and loaner binoculars are available through a generous donation from Sport Optics. Sightings can be viewed via the eBird profile. Sunrise Birding on Bayou Castine: Starting the new year with a fresh hobby, this program meets every Monday in January at 6:30 a.m. at the Mandeville Harbor Pavilion (Lakeshore Drive and Jackson Avenue). Participants can watch the sunrise and observe local birds while making new friends. Binoculars and handwarmers are provided. Night Programs: The outdoors offers a vibrant world to explore after sunset. The Pelican Park Nature Club provides numerous opportunities to engage with nature after dark, including regular moth sheeting, guided night hikes, and sunset paddles down Cane Bayou in partnership with Canoe and Trail Adventures. Monthly Meet and Mingle: This program fosters community connection and environmental education on the third Wednesday of every month at Pat’s Rest Awhile. The upcoming presentation, “Purple Martins: The Great Seasonal Homecoming at Pelican Park,” is scheduled for January 29th. Summer Presenter Recognition : The Pelican Park Nature Club extends a warm thank you to the following guest speakers for their contributions to the summer series: ● Louisiana’s Medicinal Flora – Sophia Forstall ● Creatures of the Night – Dr. Bill Wimley ● Basic Outdoor Knots – Matt May ● Beekeeping and Native Plants – Greg Capranica ● Luminescence and Fluorescence in Nature – Leon Zebrick Introduction to Nature Journaling: Presented by Certified Louisiana Master Naturalist Alicia Barnes, this workshop teaches participants the basics of nature journaling and provides guided practice in observation techniques. As nature journaling is simply a method of recording the natural world, artistic skill is not a requirement for attendance. (Next session: January 12th)
Congratulations to the Pelican Park League Champions and Interleague All-Stars! Congratulations to the Summer, Fall, and Winter 2025 league champions. Dedication, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to teams have truly paid off, resulting in outstanding accomplishments. Efforts on and off the field have not gone unnoticed. Continued excellence, leadership by example, and a commitment to greatness are encouraged. Pelican Park hosted its first-ever All-Star Tournament, creating an exciting and memorable event. Appreciation is extended to Coquille Parks & Recreation / Recreation District 14 and Lee Road Recreation for participating and contributing strong competition, energy, and grit. Pelican Park All-Stars advanced to championship games in every age group, with several teams earning tournament victories. Players and coaches demonstrated focus, determination, and true sportsmanship throughout the weekend. Congratulations to all teams for the hard work and heart you put into this tournament!
photo by: Bill Wimley
20 | Recreation District #1 of St. Tammany Parish
Pelican Watch Vol. 26 Issue 1 | 21
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