Friends of LSU Hilltop Arboretum are bringing a little fallscenery to Louisianians.
For the first time, bus trips will head to state parks, saidSusan Broussard, education director at Hilltop Arboretum.
The hikes are open to the public as well as to Universitystudents.
Previously, these sponsored bus tours featured only the yardsand gardens of Baton Rouge residents, Broussard said.
The group leaving Oct. 16 will travel to wildlife managementareas Lake Ramsey and Sandy Hollow near Folsom, La., Broussardsaid.
The participants will leave at 8 a.m. and carpool to the HilltopArboretum at 11855 Highland Road. Lunch will be provided at theLouisiana Growers wholesale nursery and the group will return at 5p.m.
Chris Reid, a botanist with the Louisiana Natural HeritageProgram at Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, willlead the hike, Broussard said.
The hike will showcase rare plants such as candyroots and thepurple fall foxglove.
Broussard recommended that hikers have a valid hunting orfishing license, but if people are attending only to look at thescenery, they can obtain a Wild Louisiana Stamp for $5.50 from theLouisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries or wherever huntingand fishing licenses are issued.
Participants must have one of these forms of certification to begranted access to state wildlife management areas.
The cost of the trip is $20 for members of the Hilltop Arboretumand $25 for non-members.
Broussard said there only is space for 20 people on Saturday’strip and space for additional participants is quicklydwindling.
On Oct. 31, the Hilltop will present the 2004 Fall Garden Tourto local homes.
In November, there will be a tour of “Backyard Habitats” in theBaton Rouge Area, and in December there will be a winter gardentour.