2024 Coastal Partnership Guide

2024 Coastal Partnership Guide Investing in our Future

In the past 50 years, more than 2,000 square miles of coastal Louisiana have vanished. Without immediate and decisive action, our state stands to lose at least an additional 1,100 square miles of land, an area nearly the size of Rhode Island, by the year 2050.

As this landscape disappears, we lose our communities, our culture, our economic security and our future For 35 years, CRCL has worked to guide the restoration of our coast through policies we have championed, plans we have helped shape and outreach to help residents adapt to our changing world. Recognizing that Louisiana’s coastal land loss has dramatic impacts on the nation’s energy, navigation and fisheries interests, CRCL also works at the state, local and federal levels to ensure that restoring and protecting coastal Louisiana is a top priority for our state and the nation.

Through volunteering and corporate partner programs, CRCL provides the opportunity for local residents and employers to bring positive, lasting change to our wetlands. Together we can slow the devastation of our coast through collaborative, science-based action.

“At Ports America, we are committed to fulfilling what we view as our civic respon boots-on-the ground approach to coastal restoration perfectly embodie

The mission of the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana is to unite people in action to achieve a thriving, sustainable Louisiana coast for all.

What we do ADVOCATE CRCL advocates for science-based policies at the local, state and federal levels. Through this work, we help shape the state’s Coastal Master Plan and mitigation strategies for large-scale restoration projects.

EDUCATE CRCL developed the Future Coastal Leaders program to prepare the next generation to conserve our coast. We guide students through a series of experiences that provide a broad understanding of coastal land loss and plans for restoration and showcase the many professions that support this work.

RECYCLE CRCL’s Oyster Shell Recycling Program has recycled more than 14 million pounds of oyster shell, keeping it out of landfills and using it to create over 8,000 feet of living shoreline. With our dedicated volunteers, we have built five reefs across our coast.

RESTORE CRCL’s Native Plants Program provides volunteers with the opportunity to participate in hands-on coastal restoration work that helps anchor the fragile soil along our coast. The program has engaged over 15,000 volunteers in on-the-ground restoration that has enhanced over 4,500 acres of coastal habitat.

nsibility to contribute to the communities where our employees live and work. CRCL’s es the spirit of this commitment, and Ports America is proud to support this mission.”

- Emmet Wright, Regional Manager - Ports America

Programs CRCL’s Oyster Shell Recycling Program and Native Plants Program provide community members the opportunity to volunteer in coastal restoration work, learn how Louisiana’s wetlands protect and provide for our communities, and to see firsthand how native vegetation and oyster shells can support coastal ecosystems within the context of larger state restoration plans.

Oyster Shell Recycling Program Once you shuck ’em, don’t just chuck ’em!

CRCL established the Oyster Shell Recycling Program to keep shell out of landfills and slow coastal land loss. In partnership with New Orleans-area restaurants and our legion of volunteers, we collect, cure and bag oyster shells to build reefs. Reefs create habitat for oysters and other marine life to grow, protecting our coast from erosion, sea-level rise and storm damage while supporting the local seafood industry. CRCL hosts shell-bagging volunteer days throughout the year, with reef construction planned each fall using the bagged shell.

SHUCK CRCL’s Oyster Shell Recycling Program was established in 2014 to keep discarded oyster shells out of landfills and return them to the water to enhance local fisheries, grow new oysters and protect the coast. We collect oyster shells from New Orleans restaurants seven days a week!

RECYCLE More than 700 volunteers are engaged annually in processing the recycled shells to be used in oyster reef restoration projects. Since starting the program in 2014, we have recycled more than 14 million pounds of shell and protected over 8,000 feet of shoreline along the coast.

BUILD In partnership with local communities and over 2,000 volunteers, CRCL has constructed five oyster reefs with our recycled shell. Our reefs enhance local fisheries, reduce shoreline erosion as much as 50% and help protect irreplaceable cultural heritage sites.

Volunteers smile after bagging 5.7 tons of recycled shell.

Students kayak through Lake Maurepas as part of the Future Coastal Leader Program.

Native Plants Program Creating educational experiences across the coast CRCL volunteers plant native trees, marsh grasses and dune grasses across the coast to help reduce the damaging effects of storm surge and flooding - safeguarding our communities, improving water quality and creating habitat for fish and wildlife.

Since starting the program, CRCL has engaged more than 15,000 volunteers and directly restored more than 4,500 acres of coastal wetlands in Louisiana. CRCL conducts one dune grass planting and multiple marsh grass and native tree plantings each year.

NATIVE TREES Our volunteers plant trees in coastal forests (such as cypress-tupelo swamp) to help reduce effects of storm surge and flooding, as well as improve water quality and create habitat for fish and wildlife. Forests across Louisiana’s coast offer protection from hurricanes and safeguard our communities. Tree planting events are usually held in the late fall and winter.

MARSH GRASSES Volunteers plant native marsh vegetation in fresh to brackish marsh areas that are being restored. This helps create dense root systems that stabilize the soil, capture sediment and minimize storm surge. CRCL’s marsh grass planting volunteer events are usually held in the late spring and late fall.

DUNE GRASSES Dune grass planting encourages sand dunes to form. The resulting dune habitat insulates the area from storm surge, protects inland communities and provides critical wildlife habitat. CRCL typically holds annual beach dune grass plantings in the early or late fall on the beaches of southwest Louisiana.

Future Coastal Leaders Preparing the next generation to address our coastal challenges The Future Coastal Leaders program in a leadership, education and career development effort. CRCL created the program to prepare the next generation to preserve our coast. High school- and college-aged students are guided through a series of experiences in this program that provide a broad understanding of coastal land loss and plans for restoration, offer insight into careers, and connect participants to professional networks and likeminded peers.

Partnerships Positive Community Impacts Sponosr a CRCL project, program or Special Event.

BE SEEN AS A LEADER Distinguish your company as a thought and action leader and highlight your commitment to improving our coast.

BUILD A STRONGER TEAM Improve your employees’ well-being and sense of pride through volunteerism, improve hiring and retention and establish your company as a great place to work.

CREATE POSITIVE CULTURE AND BRAND AWARENESS Increase your brand awareness as employees who feel empowered by their organization and believe in its values are proud to share with their friends and family.

Coastal Adventure Opportunities Engage your team in an outdoor event, build camaraderie and boost staff morale with native plant plantings or oyster shell recycling events. Sponsorship of a group volunteering activity during one of CRCL’s regularly scheduled events start at $50/person.

CUSTOM TEAM-BUILDING EVENT CRCL will customize a restoration event that meets your organization’s needs. Hosting an Oyster Shell Recycling volunteer activity for 50 people begins at $5,000 for a halfday. Private native tree plantings start at $12,000 per day and increase for dune grass and marsh grass planting. All custom restoration activities include lunch and a CRCL T-shirt!

Volunteers plant plugs of marsh grass at Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge.

Corporate Partnership Opportunities SPONSOR A RESTORATION PROJECT CRCL values strategic partnerships with companies that share our values. Support of CRCL’s restoration programs include opportunities for brand recognition, social media cross-promotion, employee volunteering and on-site activations at scheduled public tree and grass plantings or oyster shell baggings. Partnerships begin at $10,000.

SPONSOR A FUTURE COASTAL LEADER Inspire the next generation of professionals working to fight coastal land loss and climate change. This program helps young people understand our coastal issues and restoration solutions and how to become advocates for their communities; facilitates the building of leadership skills and preparation for college or careers; and provides networking and real-world exposure to coastal restoration fields in Louisiana. Sponsorship is $1,000 per student.

SPONSOR A LECTURE CRCLectures is a bimonthly series hosted by the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana. The lecture series is a new way to connect with supporters of coastal restoration, one that is both fun and interesting. Lectures are scheduled across the coast, and sponsorship includes brand recognition, social media cross-promotion and on-site activation opportunities.

Sponsorship of a single lecture is $2,000.

Special Event Sponsorships Sponsorship available from $500 to $10,000.

SHELL-A-BRATION Come Shell-A-Brate! Every March we gather as a community to celebrate our way of life with great live music, delicious food, fresh shucked oysters, a silent auction and loads of fun. This family-friendly evening is held at the Audubon Zoo Swamp Exhibit Cajun Ballroom and is dedicated to raising awareness for restoration of our coastal wetlands. It benefits CRCL’s Oyster Shell Recycling Program. Who knew giving back could be so delicious?

COASTAL STEWARDSHIP AWARDS CRCL is elated to celebrate 28 years of honoring coastal champions by combining an evening of networking with the recognition of those people who have shown the most outstanding commitment to our coast. The annual awards celebration, happening May 2024 in Baton Rouge, is CRCL’s signature event, bringing together the top leaders in the coastal sector for an evening of great conversation, delicious food and drinks, and inspiring stories.

March 22, 2024

7pm

Cajun Ballroom at Audubon Zoo

New Orleans, LA

Shell-A-Bration is a community event dedicated to raising awareness for the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana's Oyster Shell Recycling Program, which collects shells from New Orleans restaurants to build oyster reefs and shoreline habitat in coastal Louisiana! This event brings together oyster lovers for a night of live music, delicious food, door prizes, a silent auction and fresh oysters as we celebrate 10 years of shell recycling!

Launched in June 2014, this program has become one of the largest shell recycling programs in the nation, having collected over 14 million pounds of shell to build five oyster reefs.

Oysters Rockefeller - $5,000 Eight event tickets Prominent logo/name placement on event website, event signage and on social media Opportunity to make brief remarks during event Banner placement during event (sponsor provided) All Oysters Bienville benefits

Oysters Bienville - $2,500

Lagniappe Sponsors Oysters Gumbo - $3,000 Supports our local fishermen Acknowledgement at food stations All Oyster Bienville benefits

Oysters Shuckers - $1,500

Six event tickets Recognition in event press release Opportunity to provide promotional item Logo/name on event website Logo/name on event signage All Charbroiled Oyster benefits

Charbroiled Oyster - $1,000 Four event tickets Verbal acknowledgment at event Company name/individual listed on event signage All Raw Oyster benefits

Raw Oyster - $500 Two event tickets Name listed on event website Recognition on social media

More Information: Kelly.Messer@crcl.org 504.264.6749 - crcl.org Prefer a custom sponsorship package? Contact us!

Supports our local shuckers Acknowledgement at shucking tables All Charbroiled Oyster benefits

Shell-A-Bration ticket includes: Live Entertainment Fresh Louisiana Oysters Local cuisine by Audubon Nature Institute Local Brews Kids Entertainment Silent Auction Door Prizes

CRCL’s Coastal Stewardship Awards May 9, 2024

6pm

SoLou | Patio Restaurant Bar

New Orleans, LA

The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana is elated to celebrate 28 years of honoring coastal champions by combining an evening of networking with the recognition of those people who have shown the most outstanding commitment to our coast. The annual awards, happening in May 2024 is CRCL's signature event, bringing together the top leaders in the coastal sector for an evening of great conversation, delicious food and drinks, and inspiring stories.

Champagne - $5,000 Eight event tickets Prominent logo/name placement on event website, event signage and on social media Opportunity to make brief remarks during event Logo placement on program All Martini benefits

Mojito - $1,000 Four event tickets Verbal acknowledgment at event Company name/individual listed on event signage All Mimosa benefits

More Information: Kelly Messer - kelly.messer@crcl.org 504.264.6749 - crcl.org Prefer a custom sponsorship? Contact us!

Martini - $2,500 Six event tickets Recognition in event press release Opportunity to provide promotional item Logo/name on event website Logo/name on event signage All Mojito benefits

Mimosa - $500 Two event tickets Name listed on event website Recognition on social media outlets

Invest in our future.

Sustain our coast.

Enrich your corporate culture.

Connect to the community.

Contact CRCL to plan your coastal adventure or to discuss other ways to support our coast and communities.

DONNA BETZER Development Director Donna.Betzer@crcl.org 504.655.7644