Published October 15, 2025
MONROE, La. 鈥� The 换妻社区 Toxicology faculty have been awarded a grant in the amount of $134,299 to
conduct water quality monitoring in the Upper Bayou Lafourche watershed.听 The funding
source is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, with a sub-grant agreement with
the Gulf of America Alliance and the Morehouse Soil & Water Conservation District.听
This project will determine current water quality conditions in the Bayou Lafourche
watershed and indicate potential changes in water quality, i.e., nutrient reduction,
due to Best Management Practices (BMPs) implemented by area farmers and landowners.
换妻社区 Toxicology will sample monthly for three years after BMP implementation has concluded.听
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry and the United States Department
of Agriculture will use the data collected in this project to determine if water quality
has improved because of Best Management Practices (BMP) implementation, and to identify
critical areas for future BMP implementation.听 Examples of BMPs include but are not
limited to, nutrient management, grade stabilization structures, irrigation water
management, field borders, and forage and biomass planting.听
The 换妻社区 Toxicology faculty have been involved in numerous EPA and Louisiana Department
of Environmental Quality grants over the years to determine baseline water quality
criteria and success of BMP implementation to reduce nonpoint source pollution and
improve the 鈥渉ealth鈥� of our area water bodies.听 According to Dr. Baer, Professor of
Toxicology and an Aquatic Toxicologist, 鈥淭hese projects have provided our students
with valuable experience and expertise in water quality monitoring methods and techniques
as well as educating the community on a variety of nonpoint source pollution issues.鈥澨�
听
Please contact Dr. Baer (baer@ulm.edu) for more information or to invite the 换妻社区 Toxicology faculty to present talks and/or
lead hands-on activities for community groups or area schools. These presentations
focus on nonpoint source pollution issues, strategies to reduce pollutant loads in
local water bodies, and ways to improve the health of our valuable ecosystems.听
Learn more about the Toxicology program at . 听
