A coalition of coastal-restoration groups teamed with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries last Thursday (Dec. 17) to install 400 “Gulf Saver Bags” at Pass a Loutre Wildlife Management Area, the LDWF announced.
“Seasonal tropical storm impacts, the recent oil spill and years of the Mississippi River delta altered by a controlled flow of sediment have taken their toll on the Louisiana coast,” LDWF Secretary Robert Barham said. “The oil impacted wetlands at Pass a Loutre are critical areas where marsh restoration efforts are needed.”
The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana and the Restore the Earth Foundation Inc. was part of this first phase of work.
A crew of volunteers assisted LDWF Coastal and Non-game Resources Division personnel distribute 400 Gulf Saver Bags at the WMA.
Each Gulf Saver Bag is a package of native marsh grasses with its own supply of natural nutrients and oil-eating micro-organisms to support, feed and protect the new growth of marsh grasses in areas of need. The bag is standard biodegradable burlap weighing 20 pounds when packed.
Placement by hand from small transport vessels minimizes disruption of shallow sediment along deteriorating coastal land mass.
Volunteers assisting with the Pass a Loutre project included representatives of CRCL, Restore the Earth Foundation, For the Bay (San Francisco non-profit group founded by Louisiana natives), Audubon Louisiana Nature Center, Bethesda Green (Maryland), Global Green (New Orleans) and Sustainable Ecosystem Restoration.
“We are excited about this Gulf Saver restoration solution and look forward to educating volunteers from all over the nation about the importance of our coastal wetland habitats,” CRCL Science Director Natalie Snider said.
Funding for phase one of the Pass a Loutre project was provided by For the Bayou, Benefit the Bayou, Bethesda Green, the Ittleson Foundation, the Coypu Foundation, State Farm and individual donors.
For more information on the Gulf Saver Bag project, visit http://gulfsaversolutions.com.
