The Thibodaux DU Chapter, the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA), and Delta Waterfowl joined forces to host the third annual Jackie Bartels Kids Conservation Festival at the Bayou Country Childrens Museum (BCCM) in March. More than 500 attendees participated.

Named in honor of avid hunter and dedicated conservationist the late Jackie Bartels, the festival attracts hundreds of children each year. Bartels won the Safari Club Internationals Diana Award for excellence in the sporting world. Ducks Unlimited is a family affair for the Bartels. Jackies husband Ron and son Mark Callais are both past Louisiana DU State Chairmen, and her grandson, Nick Lichenstein, is the state chair elect.

The event includes a variety of activities for children of all ages, including bait casting contests, duck dog demonstrations, wood duck box building, and supervised archery and BB gun shooting. Some of the most popular events are the Easter egg hunt and the chance to meet and even hold live alligators.

The $5 ticket includes all of the festival events, access to the museum, and memberships to DU, BCCM, CCA, and the Quality Deer Management Association. Membership in these groups provides children with a direct link to conservation education throughout the year.