| Audubon Rainey Wildlife Sanctuary Terracing Project |
| Representatives of the National Audubon Society, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL), Restore America's Estuaries (RAE) and Vermilion Parish joined with members of the public at the Vermilion Parish Library in Abbeville to celebrate completion of a 640 acre coastal restoration project located in the Paul J. Rainey Audubon Sanctuary in May, 2005. |
The restoration project constructed approximately 36,000 linear feet of earthen terraces within the Paul J. Rainey Wildlife Sanctuary, the National Audubon Society’s oldest and largest wildlife refuge. The terraces were constructed in open water areas of the refuge that had previously been healthy marsh. Marsh within this area, like much of coastal Louisiana, has eroded due to altered hydrology, subsidence, and storm damage. Reestablishing marsh via the construction of terraces will provide critical habitat to fish, birds, and other wildlife, as well as reduce erosion along the shoreline of adjacent wetlands. |
| Construction of this $820,000 project was funded in part by a direct Congressional appropriation to the Department of Natural Resources, a community-based restoration grant from the NOAA Restoration Center and RAE-CRCL, and by direct and in-kind contributions from the National Audubon Society. In addition to these partners, the project has been supported by Vermilion Parish entities and local school groups including Lafayette Middle School that participated in vegetative plantings of the terraces.Throughout the course of the year additional planting days and educational workshops will be conducted with school groups within the area. |
The development of community-based partnerships demonstrates the ability of Louisiana's citizens to render every asset useful in the pursuit of a sustainable Louisiana coast. These achievements make a powerful statement about the commitment of Louisiana's citizens, our communities and our government agencies to combine local resources with federal programs to implement meaningful restoration and support larger restoration initiatives. |
CRCL Executive Director Mark Davis noted the importance of community based restoration projects as an important component in the comprehensive effort to protect and restore Louisiana's coast. "The completion of this project reflects the commitment of the citizens of Louisiana to protecting and restoring valuable wildlife habitat. The Audubon Rainey Sanctuary Project is a fitting example of what can be accomplished when we combine our resources and work together towards a sustainable future for our coast, our communities and our way of life." | |
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