September Reflections in the Garden
Topic: The Migratory Journeys and a Renewed Hope for the Prothonotary Warbler
Small songbirds undertake extraordinary migrations, and new advancements in tracking technology are allowing researchers to understand their movements in unprecedented detail. In this presentation, Dr. Erik Johnson will highlight the remarkable journeys of the Prothonotary Warbler, a brilliantly colored species that breeds in swampy habitats and readily nests in boxes placed by researchers. Tracking devices placed on these birds across their breeding range have revealed consistent migration routes to Colombia, where rapidly changing mangrove ecosystems place pressure on their wintering habitat. Dr. Johnson will share how this scientific knowledge is leading to meaningful conservation action and renewed hope for a species whose story connects Louisiana’s wetlands to international conservation efforts.
Speaker: Dr. Erik Johnson, School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University
About the Speaker:
Dr. Erik Johnson joined the faculty of the School of Renewable Natural Resources at Louisiana State University in August 2025 following fourteen years with the National Audubon Society as a conservation director. During his time with Audubon he played a key role in post Deepwater Horizon restoration work, helping ensure that investments in coastal recovery maximized benefits for both birds and people.
He uses birds as indicators of ecosystem health, studying how human activity shapes natural environments in both positive and negative ways. His research spans a broad range of avian species including understory birds of the Amazon rainforest, the endangered Black Rail of the Gulf Coast, and charismatic species such as Bald Eagles, ibises, and Limpkins. Dr. Johnson has been active in Louisiana’s birding community for more than twenty years. He serves as the Louisiana Christmas Bird Count regional editor, a member of the Louisiana Bird Records Committee, and the Director of the Louisiana Bird Observatory.
Event Details:
September 14, 2026 from 12 pm to 1 pm at the Ione Burden Conference Center (4560 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809)
Reflections in the Garden is a monthly "lunch and learn" series presented by the Friends of LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens. The lectures are generally held on the first Monday of the month at noon at the Botanic Gardens.
Reflections in the Garden is live-streamed to members of the Friends of the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens through Microsoft Teams. In-person attendance is open to both members and nonmembers with registration.
