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The heartbeat of the �鶹ҹ�� lies in the community and culture. Bree Landry chose the University as a result.

She said, “I’ve always loved the community and culture that �鶹ҹ�� has, especially around Mardi Gras or various festivals throughout the year. I also have several friends and family members who have attended �鶹ҹ��, so I thought it was fitting that I should attend as well.”

Bree always had a keen interest in Louisiana’s coastal lands, and after graduating high school, she attended �鶹ҹ��'s , where she was introduced to various environmental science topics. This led her to the University's Environmental Science program.

“I chose Environmental Science as my major because I was always interested in Louisiana’s dynamic coastline in middle school and high school, and how we are losing land at a rapid rate. I was also interested in studying how the water quality affects the environment and water resources.”

Due to an advisor's recommendation, Bree also decided to minor in geology to complement her major.

“I’ve noticed that taking extra geology classes to qualify for the minor has significantly enhanced my knowledge and understanding of how environmental changes are influenced by the composition of the land and the types of sediments that can impact coastal erosion or accretion along our coastline,” she said. 

Involvement on campus 

One of Bree’s favorite environmental science courses include ENVS 151 (Plant Science Lab), taught by Mr. Jim Foret.

She said, "I loved this lab because we had our own garden where we planted potatoes, green beans, spinach, various propagations, and all sorts of goodies that we had to maintain throughout the semester (and got to bring home afterwards). 

"We also went on field trips to local farms, where we learned how to make cheese, honey, sugarcane syrup, and we even milked a cow!”

In Advanced GIS (ENVS 487), she learned how to use satellite imagery, GIS/remote sensing techniques, and various data sources to tell a story on how our AOI (area of interest) changed over time, and ways to understand the environmental changes from a global perspective.

Bree’s involvement on campus goes beyond the classroom. She is a member of the University Honors Program, the Biological Society, and the Geoscience Society. 

“I have been a part of all these student organizations throughout my time at �鶹ҹ��. I find that the Honors Program has provided me with a lot of good resources, advice from faculty members, and, especially, friends. Going to the seminar each week was always a treat because I never knew what to expect.”

What she enjoys most about the University and the environmental science program is the friendly atmosphere and community. She believes that her peers want her to succeed because they help each other out and work together to solve problems. 

Undergraduate research and what’s next 

Bree works with the USGS (United States Geological Survey) Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, developing habitat classification maps of the Louisiana coastline to monitor habitat loss, gain, and maintenance over various years.

“This project provides important public datasets and information to agencies that need to identify areas of concern that need to be restored or maintained along our coastline. I have gained valuable experience from working on this project because it has broadened my eyes on just how much the Louisiana coastline has changed over time and the need for restoration efforts to maintain as much land as possible,” she said.

In addition, she is working with the University's Regional Application Center to develop a prototype water quality monitoring device, called the “AquaROVER.”

She said, “This research project works with NASA scientists to create a remotely controlled device that can be used to take water quality measurements in a body of water, including dissolved oxygen, temperature, turbidity, pH, salinity, and more. This project has been in the works to create a teaching tool for students and educators in the Acadiana region to understand how water quality affects the community and environment around them.”

After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school to obtain a master's degree in environmental resource science. 

 “I will also continue working at the USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center to contribute to their research project. After I graduate, I plan to use my degrees and the information/experience that I have gained to monitor and maintain the water quality of water bodies in Acadiana, specifically at water/waste treatment facilities or water quality testing companies.”

Take your education to new heights by pursuing an environmental science degree at �鶹ҹ��.