Gulf Coast Post- September 2023

THE GULF COAST POST

Dear Supporters/Community/Advocates,

We are thrilled to have you as part of our passionate community, dedicated to safeguarding the delicate ecosystems of coastal Louisiana. Through the pages of this newsletter, we aim to keep you informed, inspired and engaged in the critical work we undertake everyday thanks to your support.

You will find a wealth of information and updates on the progress we're making together. We'll share restoration project success stories and shine a spotlight on the efforts of our dedicated team and partners. We will also provide opportunities for you to get involved. Together, we can create a ripple effect that transcends boundaries and inspires others to join the cause.

We invite you to dive into the pages of Gulf Coast Post Let us unite to protect and restore our coast, safeguarding it for future generations. Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication.

Kimberly Reyher Executive Director

WSMJR Art print donated to CRCL You can purchase this print, and three others that support CRCL’s work at our online store at CRCLorg

Student Opportunities

Fall 2023 semester registration is open for our Future Coastal Leaders program. Please join us or just help us spread the word! This program offers students a chance to delve into coastal restoration through hands-on learning, networking opportunities and engaging projects, all at no cost. Learn more here.

CRCL’sRestorationHQupdate

CRCL's Restoration Headquarters in Violet have undergone significant enhancements in recent months. Our cypress saplings are flourishing. Just a year ago, we had a single row of simple raised beds. This year, we have taken it up a notch by implementing a raised pond bed system. Our trees receive nourishment from rainwater, collected by a cistern. This approach ensures minimal water usage as we cultivate our own cypress trees destined to rehabilitate the coastal forests along Louisiana's shore.

We are excited to announce the commencement of our native seed drive. This initiative aims to gather cypress seeds from the area. The seeds will be planted by volunteers at our Restoration HQ. Anticipating a surge in demand for trees to be planted in the coming years, we are committed to sustaining their production internally.

Your participation matters greatly. Join us by contributing to our native seed drive. Or consider volunteering at our Restoration HQ, where you can plant both seeds and trees in the Central Wetlands. Your involvement will play a pivotal role in the restoration of our coastal ecosystems.

GulfRegionalOysterNetworkgrant

CRCL has received federal funding to join the new Gulf of Mexico Community-Based Oyster Recycling and Reef Restoration Network The three-year cooperative agreement is led by Restore America’s Estuaries (RAE) and supported by NOAA The funding will help pay for shell bagging volunteer events hosted by CRCL starting this fall. It will also support CRCL’s construction of two oyster reefs. One of them will be built by volunteers and community partners in the fall of 2024 in Plaquemines Parish. It will protect a culturally significant site selected by the Atakapa-Ishak/Chawasha tribe of Grand Bayou Indian Village. In the fall of 2025, the funding will support a reef built by volunteers and community partners in Terrebonne Parish. This reef site will be selected by the Grand Caillou/Dulac Band of BiloxiChitimacha-Choctaw

A fundamental aspect of the program involves the creation of a peer-to-peer learning network This network will serve as a platform for sharing best practices, lessons learned and insights, fostering the growth of shell recycling and restoration initiatives. This collaborative approach ensures that the project's benefits extend beyond the immediate impact, contributing to the enhancement of coastal ecosystems and community engagement.

OSRPattheLRAshowcase

CRCL's Oyster Shell Recycling Program (OSRP) is celebrating a significant achievement in our 35th year – we now have over 35 restaurant partners participating! We’re not stopping there, though. Our team recently joined the LRA to showcase our shell recycling services. We encourage you to support our restaurant partners.

Votefor Louisiana’scoast

Election season is coming up, and we hope you’ll keep coastal issues in mind at the ballot box. The significance of strong leadership and a commitment to coastal restoration cannot be overstated. You can also view our Coastal Issues Candidate Forum for gubernatorial candidates here.

CRCLecturew/Dr.Chalk,watchnow

Last month, on a historically hot day in New Orleans, we gathered at artist Alex Beard's studio in New Orleans for a captivating CRCLecture featuring Dr. Angela Chalk of Healthy Community Services. Her presentation, "Heat is more than the Temperature," shed light on the potential of planting native trees to alleviate extreme heat and manage storm water. She also delved into her organization's pioneering work involving hemp's application in coastal restoration. As a tangible example, she presented a square of insulation constructed from hemp. The lecture, both informative and engaging, garnered great attendance. In the event you were unable to join, there's good news: we live-streamed the lecture and have it recorded. You can catch the entire presentation on our Facebook page.

SavetheDatefor RestorationontheHalfShell

Restoration on the Half Shell (ROTHS) is on the horizon, and we are excited to announce that we will be partnering with Rougarou Fest on Oct. 21 and 22! As part of this partnership, we are bringing our Community Arts Living Shorelines project, an information station, our Coastal 101 presentation, an update on CRCL's programs and an engaging panel discussion. Stay tuned for further information as we get closer to the event! Follow us on social media @CRCL1988 for all CRCL updates.

Mid-Barataria SedimentDiversion groundbreaking

CRCL, in collaboration with our partners at Restore the Mississippi River Delta, played a significant role in the MidBarataria Sediment Diversion groundbreaking last month.

This marked the start of construction on the project, a crucial component of Louisiana's coastal program. The event was a huge moment for Louisiana as state began work on the first large-scale project to reconnect the Mississippi River to its nutrient-, sediment- and freshwater-starved wetlands.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our supporters who have stood by us throughout the years, helping propel this project from conception to reality We also extend our appreciation to the state and our partners, including Restore the Mississippi River Delta. Kim Reyher, our executive director, said in our press release that "since 1988, our organization has been emphasizing the urgency of building this project, so being at this stage finally underscores that all the hard work has indeed paid off." This achievement is a testament to the power of collaborative efforts in safeguarding and restoring our coast.

You can read the press release her

CRCLretailpartners

We are excited to continue our collaboration with local artists, aimed at promoting awareness and education about the significance of our coastline and its restoration. Join us in welcoming our newest partner, WSMJR Art! Will's paintings highlight the urgency in environmental protection and the importance of Louisiana seafood to our economy and culture. You can acquire four unique prints that contribute to CRCL's cause through our online store. Continuing their unwavering commitment, Porter Lyons has introduced a novel coastal-inspired ornament, the sales of which will further aid CRCL's efforts. Alex Beard, a dedicated longstanding supporter of CRCL, is diligently working on a new art piece for us. Meanwhile, you can show your support by purchasing Alex Beard's prints from our online store. Reach out to donations@crcl.org to start (or suggest) a new retail partnership!

Orvisgivebackmonth

We’re partnering with Orvis throughout the month of September! Shop in-store at the Baton Rouge location for a special discount. This is in-store only, or order by phone at (225) 757-7286. When calling, mention the coupon and code #176188.

CRCLintheNews

We’ve been all over the news in the past few weeks. Here are some of the highlights:

$3B land-building project breaks ground in Louisiana; aims to reconnect Mississippi River to marsh

How the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion will help Louisiana’s coast

From Sea to Plate to Sea: How Oyster Shells Are Shoring Up Coastlines

CRCL feature on Dutch website The Happy Activist

Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana announces next Oyster Shell Reef Deployment in Montegut

Nonprofit awarded federal funding to join oyster recycling, reef restoration efforts

Historic heat has some in New Orleans worried about powerful hurricanes this season

How recycled oyster shells are helping save Louisiana’s dwindling coastline- PBS News Hour

Organizations to Plant Tens of Thousands of Trees in Central Wetlands- Biz New Orleans

Groups to plant 30K trees in Central Wetlands near New Orleans- WGNO

Saving Coastal Louisiana: A $50 billion-5-decade-long plan to restore marshlands