Environment Program Hosts Third Roundtable of Their 2025-2026 Series
Environment Program Roundtable: "Birds!"
On December 4th at 12:30 pm in Monroe Hall 152, Loyola's Environment Program hosted its third Roundtable of the 2025-2026 series, featuring Katie Rompf, MS, Biological Sciences Lab Coordinator & Adjunct Instructor, and Steve Michalec, Avian Photographer.
Katie Rompf provided an ecological approach to our understanding of birds and their importance in local ecosystems. She discussed their roles as seed dispersers, pest controllers, pollinators, and indicators of environmental health. She also presented on various bird species within the New Orleans area.
Meanwhile, Steve Michalec explored the aesthetics of birds with his photography. Michalec started birding during the COVID-19 pandemic and began documenting different birds as he traveled through the forest. Over a few years, he has been able to expand his knowledge of local bird species, such as location, call noise, and behaviors. He demonstrates that regular hobbies, like photography, can be meaningful pathways into environmental stewardship. Find more of his work here.
