Louisiana Wetland Education Coalition
Photo:
Quote:
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
- Margaret Mead (1901-1978) quoted in John M. RIchardson, ed. Making it Happen, 1982
Organization:
LSU Coastal Roots Program
http://coastalroots.lsu.edu/The LSU Coastal Roots Seedling Nursery Program for Habitat Restoration helps Louisiana schools to establish seedling plant nurseries at their schools. Currently 17 schools in 10 south Louisiana parishes participate in the program. These student-run nurseries produce native plants to use in habitat restoration efforts at a local site in need of vegetative plantings. First established in 2000 by the Louisiana Sea Grant College Program, Coastal Roots is now directed by faculty from the LSU College of Education and Agriculture, as well as an LSU AgCenter Marine Agent.
The primary goal of the LSU Coastal Roots Program is to assist students in cultivating an attitude of stewardship toward our natural resources and to provide an active learning situation in which they can explore a variety of strategies for sustaining our coastal habitats. In early winter students begin by planting their seeds in their nurseries. The following fall, students travel to a nearby site to transplant their crop. Since 2000, over 1900 student participants have planted nearly 18,000 school-grown native seedlings and grasses during 57 planting events.
For information on how your school can participate or, if you would like to help support the program so that more schools can participate at minimal cost, contact Dr. Pam Blanchard, LSU College of Education, 225/ 578-2297, PamB@LSU.EDU.
Coastal Roots Planting Dates
Fall 2007
All should start planting at the restoration site at 10 am (tentatively) unless otherwise noted.
| Date | School | Restoration Site |
October 16 (T) |
Harry Hurst Middle |
Wetland Watcher Park |
October 18 (TH) |
Albert Cammon Middle |
Bayou Segnette S.P. |
November 15 (TH) |
St. Martin Episcopal |
Bayou Segnette S.P. |
November 16 (F) |
S. Lafourche High |
Grand Isle S.P. |
November 29 (TH) |
St. James Science & Math Academy |
Bayou Segnette S.P. |
November 30 (F) |
Our Lady of Mercy |
Fontainebleau S.P. |
November 30 (F) |
Lafayette Middle – seed collection |
Port Fourchon |
December 4 (T) |
Luling Elementary with JB Martin Middle* |
Wetland Watcher Park |
December 6 (TH) |
St. Louis, King of France |
Fontainebleau S.P. |
December 13 (TH) |
Pierre Part Elementary |
Patterson State Museum |
December 14 (F) |
Lafayette Middle |
Avery Island |
December 21 (TH) |
St. Joseph’s Academy |
Fairview Riverside S.P. |
* Planting time: Noon-2 pm (tentative)
Schools that will be planting grasses in Spring 2008:
Abbeville High
Erath High
JH Williams Middle
Jackson High
Lafayette Middle (mangrove)
Montegut Middle
Cool Resources:
BTNEP Volunteer Program
BTNEP Volunteers:
Preserving Our Past
Protecting Our Future
Opportunities to become more actively involved in the fight to save the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary System abound! Until now, there has never been one place where coastal restoration agencies and partners can look to find willing volunteers who want to “do something”. The BTNEP volunteer program aims to change that. We have several up-coming projects, as do our partners. Check the link below for volunteer opportunities!
http://volunteer.btnep.org/default.asp?id=26
http://volunteer.btnep.org/forms/volunteers.asp
mel@btnep.org
Contact: Mel Landry Public Involvement Coordinator
mel@btnep.org 1-800-259-0869
If you would like to submit nominations for Quotes, Photos, Cool Resources, or Organizations, please email heidi_hitter@usgs.gov with the information and any necessary reference material.
[The Current Contact is Dave Marks at lacoast@condor.nwrc.gov or (337) 266-8623. -Webmaster]