Wetlands Programs in Schools - Programs We Support
January 26, 2009
Wetlands Programs in Schools
As we move to become a nation more focused on environmental stewardship and aware of our surrounding ecosystems, For the Bayou and its partner, Voice of the Wetlands, believes in the importance of wetlands education programs in schools. We are supporting an effort that will be launched by Voice of the Wetlands starting in Louisiana this spring. This program will be promoted in elementary, middle and high school science classes. More information to come soon.
Restoration of Cypress Wetlands - Projects We Support
January 26, 2009
Restoration of cypress wetlands for hurricane protection near New Orleans using treated municipal effluent
by Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana
This is a proposal for a pilot project to restore coastal forested wetlands using wastewater assimilation in Orleans and St. Bernard Parishes, Louisiana. We proposed using volunteers to plant 10-20 acres with 2,000 cypress seedlings. We expect that about 10,000 to 20,000 gallons per day of treated effluent will be delivered through a short distribution system to the pilot site for about a month to keep the site fresh so that cypress will grow. The pilot project will demonstrate the on-the-ground feasibility of this restoration that would inform the larger restoration effort which is estimated to cost $40 million and which will begin in 2008-09.
Vegetative Marsh Planting - Projects We Support
January 26, 2009
Vegetative Marsh Planting Program (multiple sites)
by Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana
The Vegetative Planting Program consists of multiple vegetative project sites across the coast of Louisiana. The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana selected five projects across the coast of Louisiana to fund through the NOAA-RAE partnership; however the Coalition will assist in volunteer recruitment for all 21 projects. This grant will facilitate the program which will plant over 24,000 plants and restore approximately 110,000 feet of shoreline and interior marshes. The NOAA-RAE partnership’s involvement in this program will allow for the expansion of the program to include more sites and more plantings, as well as a more robust volunteer program. The Coalition will facilitate the involvement of the public throughout coastal Louisiana to instill stewardship in Louisiana’s citizens. The Coalition anticipates a large volunteer participation across the coast and estimates over 2,000 hours of volunteer time will be dedicated to these five selected projects*. In addition, the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana will offer volunteer recruitment assistance for all 21 projects proposed for 2009 (see attached for a full list of projects) to involve the public heavily in coastal restoration.
Project Specifics:
1. Sand Fence 2009 – This project will plant an area that is currently without vegetation west of the sand fence on Little Florida beach. This project will attempt to vegetate the shoreline to stabilize the sand and help control erosion. The project will also create wildlife habitat, increase species diversity and provide a seed source for natural regeneration. The project will plant 8,000 four inch pots of bitter panicum and 2,000 four inch pots of seashore paspalum on five foot spacing for a project total of 50,000 linear feet.
2. Mandalay 2009– This project will establish vegetation in an open interior marsh on the Mandalay Refuge to reduce the water exchange between the interior marsh and the GIWW. Volunteers will plant 5,000 plugs of California bulrush (Schoenoplectus californicus) planted on five foot centers. The project will restore 25,000 linear feet of interior marsh.
3. Ollie Canal 2009 – This project will stabilize the shoreline by establishing vegetation along the levee. 1,000 plugs of California bulrush (Schoenoplectus californicus) will be planted on five feet centers to restore 5,000 linear feet and offer buffer protection to the levee.
4. Hammock Bayou 2009 – This project will stabilize the shoreline by planting smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora ‘Vermilion’). The project will re-vegetate the shoreline of Hammock Bayou and Hammock Lake to increase stability, lessen erosion, create habitat for wildlife and provide a seed source for natural regeneration. The project will plant 1,667 plugs on three foot spacing to restore a total are of 5,000 linear feet.
5. Rockefeller Canal Banks – This project will plant 3,333 plugs of smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora ‘Vermilion’) along recently re-lifted canal banks. The project will establish vegetation to canal banks to control erosion, provide wildlife habitat, and provide a seed source for natural regeneration. The plugs will be planted with three foot spacing to restore a total of 10,000 linear feet.
Cameron Shoreline Planting - Projects We Support
January 26, 2009
Cameron Shoreline Planting
by Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana
The project also seeks to involve community residents to reestablish habitat and protect their coastline. The key elements of the project are to (a) restore beach and dune habitats damaged during Hurricane Ike, (2) engage volunteers with hands-on community outreach and involvement and (c) engage our corporate sponsor, Cheniere Energy, and its employees in environmental leadership.
This barrier shoreline had undergone significant movement and reduction in size due to the lack of sediment input from the Mississippi River and Atchafalaya River systems. In addition, the Calcasieu and Mermentau rivers are not supplying coarse grained sediment (sand) to the area, and the Cameron jetties associated with the Calcasieu Ship Channel interrupt the flow of sediment along the Gulf shoreline.
Bringing Nature Back - Projects Supported
January 26, 2009
Bringing Nature Back 2008-2009
by Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana
With the help of volunteers traveling to Louisiana through various volunteer programs and local volunteers, the partners will initiate a wetland restoration plan, which includes a minimum of eight (8) volunteer planting days, for the purpose of restoring degraded wetlands and wildlife habitat to incorporate the principles of ecology, horticulture and environmental stewardship into outreach programs. The project will be administered and overseen by CRCL staff members. The project also seeks to involve community residents to reestablish wetland habitat and protect their coastline. The key elements of the project are to (a) restore wetland habitats damaged during Hurricane Katrina at the Audubon Louisiana Nature Center, (2) engage volunteers with hands-on community outreach and involvement and (c) assist in the rehabilitation of this important educational and recreational facility for the City of New Orleans.
Total Project Cost:
Entergy-RAE Partnership Funds $ 33,000
Matching cash funding $ 6,500
Additional Partner Contributions (total) $ 15,000 in-kind
Volunteer Contributions $ 37,540 in-kind
Total Project Cost: $ 92,040
Black Mangrove Habitat - Projects Supported
January 26, 2009
For the Bayou supports awareness and is actively fundraising for Louisiana wetlands restoration and preservation projects that are currently in need of funding. Many of our favorite coastal projects are with a wetlands non profit that has been in existence in Louisiana for 20 years, the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, www.crcl.org
Barataria Basin Black Mangrove Habitat Restoration
by Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana
The proposed project will plant black mangroves on Fifi Island near Grand Isle in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, to mitigate for significant mangrove habitat declines experienced in Louisiana and to provide a future protection buffer for storm impacts. The proposed project is occurring on public lands and is a benefit to the general public.
The proposed project will plant black mangroves on Fifi Island near Grand Isle in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, to mitigate for significant mangrove habitat declines experienced in Louisiana and to provide a future protection buffer for storm impacts.
The project will benefit barrier island black mangrove habitat (NOAA Trust Resource: Black Mangrove, Avicennia germinans) by increasing mangrove habitat by planting over 1,600 mangrove plants to create an additional 2 acres and enhance approximately 10 acres of mangrove habitat. It is anticipated that mangrove plants, once established, will reproduce and increase the mangrove population exponentially over time.
Total Project Cost:
Entergy-RAE Partnership Funds $ 46,000
TNC Global Marine Team & NOAA Restoration Center $ 30,000 matching funds
Additional Partner Contributions (total) $ 27,159 in-kind
Volunteer Contributions $ 35,663 in-kind
Total Project Cost: $ 138,822
