February 7-9, 2020
Friday night 6:00-8:30
6:00-6:50  Eric Vanbergen  - THE IMPORTANCE OF BRINGING CAJUN PRAIRIE PLANTS TO SCHOOLS
6:50-7:40  Anita Pant - THE INFLUENCE OF PLANT DIVERSITY ON POLLINATOR SPECIES RICHNESS AND ABUNDANCE
7:40-8:30  Steven Nevitt - TELLING YOUR CAJUN PRAIRIE STORY: REDISCOVERING OUR ECOSYSTEM ROOTS; ENVIRONMENTAL CONNECTIONS TO THE ANCIENT ENVIRONMENT AROUND US. NORMALIZING THE DISCUSSION ABOUT THE CAJUN PRAIRIE AND ITS BENEFITS

Eric Vanbergen
Title: THE IMPORTANCE OF BRINGING CAJUN PRAIRIE PLANTS TO SCHOOLS
Bio: Eric Vanbergen is a freshman at LSU majoring in Environmental Science. As a high
school student at Ascension Episcopal School in Youngsville, Louisiana, he led two
native plant restoration projects: a 3-acre planting of Cajun prairie seed and a Cajun
prairie themed pollinator habitat garden
Description: Most people who live in Louisiana are clueless to the unique beauty and
diversity of native prairie plant species that can be easily incorporated in the landscape.
Introducing these native plants to places like schools is crucial for bringing awareness of
the importance of conserving rare native plants and protecting the animal species that
depend on them.

Anita Pant
Title: THE INFLUENCE OF PLANT DIVERSITY ON POLLINATOR SPECIES
RICHNESS AND ABUNDANCE
Bio: Anita Pant is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Her
research focuses on plant-insect interactions. Ms. Pant received a Master’s degree in
the Environmental Sciences from Tribhuvan University, Nepal. She has received many
research and travel grants from different organizations such as the Graduate Student
Organization, UL Lafayette, The Louisiana Native Plant Society, The Ecology Center,
Resources Himalaya Foundation. She has worked as a research associate at the
“Living Earth, Nepal”, where she was responsible for conducting soil and water analysis
and report writing. She also worked as a data analyst at Forum of Environmental
Management and Sustainable Development, Nepal. Along with her study, she is
equally involved in volunteer work. She has volunteered as a judge in Science Olympaid
(2016), secretary in Nepalese Student Association (NSA, 2016-2017)), treasurer in NSA
(2013-2014), teacher in Deneb International School (2007), and in many other activities
and organizations.
Description: Plants depend on pollinators for their sexual reproduction and the
pollinators get food from the plants. The mutualistic relationship between plants and
pollinators is important for natural and managed ecosystems. The number and diversity
of pollinators are in decline due to habitat degradation, invasive species, climate
change, and use of insecticides and pesticides. The presentation will focus on
highlighting the influence of plant species richness on the pollinator species richness
and abundance. Further, the presentation will focus on identifying plant species that
attract a greater number and diversity of pollinators.

Steven Nevitt
Title: TELLING YOUR CAJUN PRAIRIE STORY: REDISCOVERING OUR
ECOSYSTEM ROOTS; ENVIRONMENTAL CONNECTIONS TO THE ANCIENT
ENVIRONMENT AROUND US. NORMALIZING THE DISCUSSION ABOUT THE
CAJUN PRAIRIE AND ITS BENEFITS
Bio: Steve Nevitt is a Geoscientist with The Hise Company. He graduated from
University of LOuisiana at Lafayette in 2017, with a Master of Science in Geology
concentrating in paleoclimate reconstruction of coastal systems. He is currently the
President of the Cajun Prairie Habitat Preservation Society.

Teaching city-slickers and country-folks about prairies through school lessons, pocket
prairies, technology and storytelling. Prairies are a significant part of our history,
supporting cattle, rice and crawfish production across the region. By reconnecting with
the roots of our culture we can reestablish what has been lost. Showing others how
incorporating prairies into our communities can make us resilient and healthy.