The BP Oil Spill disaster is currently impacting Louisiana’s fragile wetlands. The oil spill is one event in a long line of man-made and natural impacts to the Louisiana coastline. Previous impacts have led to the loss of 2,300 square miles of land since the 1930’s. Although we do not yet know the fate of our oiled wetlands, we do know that wetland restoration is a key to the future of this unique and nationally important ecosystem, culture and economy.
The Louisiana Gulf Response Involvement Team (GRIT) has been hard at work to identify safe and meaningful volunteer opportunities. Two GRIT organizations, the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program (BTNEP) and the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL), have utilized thousands of volunteers to complete coastal restoration projects for over 20 years. We are currently developing a program of volunteer events that will help restore the marshes and forested wetlands of the Louisiana coast. Now more than ever, we must be stewards of our coast, to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy the beauty and diversity of coastal Louisiana. We invite you to join us in the first projects of our restoration program.
GRIT is partnering with Crescent Soil and Water Conservation District and the Lafourche-Terrebonne Soil and Water Conservation District to plant 3,000 marsh plants along North Bayou Perot and Bayou L’ours. Although we will not be working in oiled areas, the restoration projects will assist in the overall recovery of the region by increasing the marsh habitat for terrestrial and marine organisms, reducing erosion, increasing species diversity and providing a seed source for natural regeneration.
These projects are being completed through a partnership with Crescent Soil and Water Conservation District, Lafourche-Terrebonne Soil and Water Conservation District, NOAA Community-Based Restoration Program, Restore America's Estuaries, Louisiana Office of Coastal Protection and Restoration, Louisiana Vegetative Planting Program, Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program and the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana.