Nicholls State University Biological Sciences

04/09/2026

Thank you Delta Waterfowl - South Louisiana Chapter for providing an opportunity for our students to learn about conservation and the importance of conservation to our community. Our students benefit tremendously from this program!

Delta Waterfowl's University Hunting Program expands its impact across North America during the 2025–2026 season, reaching a record 146 institutions across 44 states, all 10 Canadian provinces, and the Yukon Territory. The program introduced 876 future wildlife managers to duck hunting, giving students pursuing wildlife management or biology degrees hands-on experience with hunting as a conservation tool.

Launched in 2017 with four institutions, the program continues to grow as fewer students enter the field with hunting backgrounds. Participants complete hunter education, shooting instruction, and a mentored hunt where they harvest, clean, and cook waterfowl.

With support from donors, agency partners, volunteers, and educational institutions, participation continues to expand across the continent, strengthening the connection between future wildlife professionals and the systems that fund conservation.

🔗 Read more: https://deltawaterfowl.org/whats-new/news/delta-waterfowl-university-hunting-program-expands-impact-across-north-america/

04/09/2026

Interested in learning more about our local birds? Then join in on the first guided bird walk at the Nicholls Farm. Only 10 slots are available!

Introducing Bird Walks at the Nicholls Farm!

The Nicholls Farm has a variety of habitats and hosts a highly diverse group of birds. We are beginning to host guided bird walks for people interested in learning more about our local birds!

If you are interested in participating in a bird walk led by local birder, Jed Pitre, on Sunday, 19 April 2026, please use the link below to sign-up. There are only 10 slots available so please do not sign up if you may tentatively participate. Additional walks will be offered once a month. We will meet at the Sugar Lab at the front of the Nicholls Farm and begin at 7 am. Bird walks will take approximately 3 1/2 hours, ending around 10:30 am. Bird walks are open to all levels of birding experience, from novice to expert. Please bring binoculars, water, snacks, insect repellent and sunscreen. All participants must sign a waiver.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hv-VaO4mZYutzGZUMW6AoeLDTIPgIv0xzIKX5xo8WR4/edit?usp=sharing

03/31/2026

The 2026 Woman of Achievement Award (Student Category) was awarded to Karishma Nathaniel, a senior in Biological Sciences. We are incredibly proud of all she has accomplished during her time at Nicholls State University. Congratulations, Karishma!

The Bonnie Bourg Lecture Series Women's History Month Luncheon and Awards Ceremony, held on March 25, recognizes outstanding individuals who serve as strong role models, advance their fields, contribute to the legacy of women, and embody this year's theme: Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future.

Congratulations as well to Dr. Abby Adams, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, who was selected as the 2026 Woman of Achievement (Faculty/Staff Category).

03/28/2026

Louisiana irises are beautiful! Did you know their flower was the inspiration for the Fleur de lis?

03/21/2026

Drs. Gary Jr LaFleur and Quenton Fontenot brought their Biology of Fishes class on an electrofishing trip on Bayou Lafourche today. The new Melodia boat launch made it easy for us to launch our boat, and meet the students at the kayak launch in front of campus. We collected a diverse group of fish from American eel to several species of sunfish. The star of the day was a large catfish that was photographed and safely released! We will use the specimens and data collected today in class. This hands-on experience is what we aim to do for all of our biology classes!

03/16/2026

We are so proud of Lilah Landry, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences, for her successful qualifying defense last week. She is a wonderful teacher and mentor, as well as the creator and implementer of our Biology Bootcamp programs. We are so inspired by her hard work and success. Way to show our students how it’s done, Lilah!! ❤️

❗️Congratulations to
Lilah Landry for successfully defending her Qualifying Paper❗️

02/24/2026

Micro Night brought together the Nicholls Pre-Vet Club and the Nicholls Student Chapter of the American Society for Microbiology 🐾🦠

Students examined common parasites and pathogens encountered in veterinary practice and discussed how they are identified in the clinic.

Thank you to alum Jacee Dupree for returning to campus to share her clinical perspective!

01/19/2026

Thank you Delta Waterfowl - South Louisiana Chapter for providing an incredible experience for our students. This was the first duck for them and we all really enjoyed it. The conservation message our students received goes hand-in-hand with our program mission. The hospitality we received from Golden Ranch Farms was incredible. Thank you to everyone that made this happen!

12/20/2025

🎉 Congrats to Mariana Robichaux and Jacee Dupree! 🐾
Current and former Presidents of the Nicholls Pre-Vet Club, both have been accepted into the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, Class of 2030! 💜💛

We’re so proud of their leadership, dedication, and bright futures in veterinary medicine. 🐶🐱

12/12/2025

This is going to be a great program!

https://houmatimes.com/news/nicholls-and-delta-waterfowl-make-history-with-south-louisianas-first-university-hunting-program/?fbclid=IwdGRjcAOpPY5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR5wWkeYaw51Qz4_HMQSrhi1Tk2_LQu_U1xbDq4lwP3Oaez-PHe07fdKg9XB_Q_aem_aw1QYSMPO4CO1qSQjos9Rg

The initiative marks a significant step forward in aligning higher education with active conservation practices and engaging the next generation in Louisiana’s longstanding hunting traditions.

12/11/2025

This is a great partnership between Delta Waterfowl and Nicholls State University. Dr. Allyse Ferrara has been working on this collaboration and will incorporate the program into her Fish and Wildlife Management course next semester! This will be great experience for our students!

🚨 BIG NEWS FOR Delta Waterfowl Foundation🚨
WE’RE MAKING HISTORY.

Our Chapter Has Officially Partnered With
NICHOLLS STATE UNIVERSITY
and DR. ALLYSE FERRARA with the
Department of Biological Sciences
to launch the FIRST-EVER
UNIVERSITY HUNTING PROGRAM
IN SOUTH LOUISIANA

WHAT THIS PROGRAM BRINGS:
• Real-world conservation education
• Ethical and safe hunting instruction
• Field experience with certified mentors
• A direct connection to Louisiana’s outdoor heritage

A MAJOR STEP FORWARD FOR
EDUCATION • CONSERVATION • OUR FUTURE

Hunting plays a critical role in waterfowl conservation, but it was discovered that at least 70 percent of university wildlife management students have never hunted and have no connection to hunting in their families or social circles. The University Hunting Program provides students who will be the wildlife managers and decision-makers of tomorrow an opportunity to experience hunting and learn why it's a primary tool in the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. It's Delta's intent that these students will continue hunting, but even if they don't, they will appreciate its importance.

Huge Thank You to Mr. Benny Cenac and Golden Ranch Farms for hosting this event!

Stay tuned for more details — big things are coming.