LOUISIANA LAND BANK SPONSORS "MOBILE CLASSROOM"
IN VERMILION PARISH

Louisiana Land Bank is a sponsor of the Vermilion Soil and Water Conservation District mobile classroom, a newly opened 40-foot trailer that features different education exhibits.

Born out of a need for conservation education, the classroom has six stations inside - soil, water, plants, animals, recycling and a windmill presentation - that address topics relevant to natural resource conservation. For example, at the soil station, students can learn about soil nutrition and view soil under a microscope or see the impact of erosion.

A plant station features several crops common to the area, including rice, wheat, soybeans and sunflowers, and displays a miniature rice field. Items made out of 100 percent recyclable materials, such as T-shirts, carpet and lanyards, are on display at the recycle station. The animal station includes a replica cow farm and explains the benefits of rotational grazing.

The classroom officially opened in September and is currently being used for fourth- and fifth-graders in Vermilion Parish. However, organizers say it will travel to schools from Cameron Parish to Terrebonne Parish and as far north as Evangeline Parish. Louisiana Land Bank Board Chairman Ernest Girouard is also chairman of the Vermilion Soil and Water Conservation District.

For more information about the mobile classroom, visit the Vermilion Soil and Water Conservation District website.