Champion Our Coast Corporate Coastal Stewardship Guide

Employees believe companies that sponsor volunteer activities offer a better overall working environment than those that do not. DELOIT TE’S 2017 VOLUNTEERISM SURVEY

Volunteers prepare oyster shell to be deployed as a reef protecting soil from erosion and creating habitat for new oysters.

Executive Director Kimberly Davis Reyher

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ow more than ever, land loss threatens the future of south Louisiana — our communities, culture and economy. We are losing rich, productive

wetlands, as well as the bounty of seafood they provide us, with consequences that reach far beyond the Gulf Coast. With a continued land loss rate of an entire football field every 100 minutes, the challenge seems immense, but we see it as solvable. Our state has a comprehensive science-based plan that has widespread support from federal, state and local officials and communities. After years in the making, these plans are now on the verge of being implemented. The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL) was the first nonprofit in the state dedicated to the restoration of our coast. Over the past 32 years, we have influenced state policy and planning, built reefs, and restored shoreline habitat – all helping sustain our state’s diverse culture, economy and environment. Our work at CRCL enhances and supports this vision for creating the best Louisiana for future generations. We are proud of where we have come, but we know there is more work ahead. We hope that you’ll join us.

Become a CRCL Corporate Coastal Steward C H A M P I O N O U R C O A S T — C O R P O R AT E C O A S TA L S T E W A R D S H I P G U I D E

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Table of Contents

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What is CRCL? Our promise to you

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What is a CRCL Coastal Steward?

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Why become a CRCL Coastal Steward?

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Coastal Stewardship opportunities

“CRCL has persistently pursued creative ways to protect and restore coastal Louisiana, becoming the pre-eminent citizens’ voice for our coastal wetlands and barrier islands. I urge everyone to get involved.” ROB GORMAN, CRCL DONOR

Shell collected from our partner restaurants is bagged by volunteers before being used to create living shorelines.

“There’s no other organization in this fight that includes so many diverse viewpoints, industries and interests, and works to find common ground. CRCL does the hard work to align its communities around science-based action.” JOHN MORELLO, VICE PRESIDENT, PALO ALTO NETWORKS

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What is CRCL?

CRCL was founded in 1988 to save our wetlands. Since then, CRCL has grown beyond raising awareness to recruiting volunteers and corporations vested in our coast’s future to join in our mission: to drive bold, science-based action to sustain a dynamic coastal Louisiana through engagement and advocacy.

What we do: ■ Habitat restoration and protection: CRCL implements turnkey restoration projects that engage volunteers in planting trees, grasses, and other vegetation that sustain wetlands and provide wildlife habitat. ■ Oyster shell recycling: CRCL builds oyster reefs that slow erosion while providing habitat for fish and wildlife. Oyster shells that would otherwise end up in landfills are collected from restaurants, bagged by volunteers, and deployed around marsh edges to create living shorelines. ■ Outreach and community engagement: CRCL informs residents of the challenges imposed by wetlands loss, the plans for restoration and flood protection, and the avenues to engage in decisions about our coast. ■ Policy and advocacy: CRCL analyzes and develops policies to ensure that money goes to the projects that restore and protect as much wetlands as possible.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW CRCL RESTORATION PROJECTS 6

C H A M P I O N O U R C O A S T — C O R P O R AT E C O A S TA L S T E W A R D S H I P G U I D E

Our promise to you ■ A partner you can trust. CRCL is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to preserving Louisiana’s coast and communities for the betterment of all residents. ■ Flexibility and creativity. We can customize a partnership to fit your company’s needs and budget. ■ Measurable impact. CRCL provides your company with the metrics (such as the number of plants planted or the linear feet of reef installed), photos and other information to document your volunteers’ contributions and to communicate the effectiveness of your corporate coastal stewardship. ■ Recognition: sponsors

We

and

ensure

that

volunteers

are

acknowledged for their contributions to the restoration of our coast.

An oyster reef is also known as a living shoreline. It creates habitat for new oysters and other wildlife and helps prevent erosion of the land.

Deborah Visco Abibou, Ph.D.

Christa Russell

Restoration Programs Director

Coastal Scientist

Kathryn Loomis

Hannah Cohen

Habitat Restoration Coordinator

Community Engagement Associate

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What is a CRCL Corporate Coastal Steward?

A volunteer plants marsh grasses in Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge.

Everyone who lives or works in Louisiana benefits from our coast. But without action, our coastal land loss crisis will continue. It’s not just land that we’re losing. Our wetlands support one of the most productive fisheries in the world, and Louisiana’s energy industry infrastructure in south Louisiana is worth billions of dollars. Surveys show that across our state, there is overwhelming support for coastal restoration. A CRCL Corporate Coastal Steward understands the importance of our coast and is willing to commit resources — volunteers and money – to protecting and restoring it.

97% of Louisiana voters are concerned with coastal land loss and climate change. BDPC, LLC + PINSONAT 2019 SURVEY

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C H A M P I O N O U R C O A S T — C O R P O R AT E C O A S TA L S T E W A R D S H I P G U I D E

Volunteers plant trees in the Central Wetlands Unit.

“You can see the growth of past plantings. It shows me that CRCL knows what they’re doing and they plan for success.” GABE GRIFFARD, PROGRAM DIRECTOR, BSA SWAMP BASE

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Why become a CRCL Coastal Steward? Through volunteer and corporate sponsorship 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. A partnership with CRCL gives your company the opportunity to: ■ Drive more business. Becoming a CRCL Corporate Steward distinguishes your company as a thought and action leaders and highlights your commitment to improving our world. ■ Create stronger bonds with your staff and your community: Corporate Stewards give their employees a sense of purpose, spur innovation and generate leadership qualities, helping to retain talent and establishing your company as a great place to work. They also connect their workers to the communities in which they live. ■ Build energetic teams within your organization. Coastal Stewards bring together people who might not normally engage with one another.

87% of Americans prefer companies who advocate for an issue they care about 2017 CONE COMMUNICATIONS CSR STUDY

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C H A M P I O N O U R C O A S T — C O R P O R AT E C O A S TA L S T E W A R D S H I P G U I D E

Volunteers interact with members of the community to build an oyster reef.

“I find my work with CRCL is very fulfilling and gratifying. It helps the environment and allows me to contribute to something bigger than myself.” PHILLIP VOYLES, MARINE SCIENCE TECHNICIAN, USCG

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Coastal Stewardship Opportunities ■ Sponsor a restoration event: Let CRCL tailor a restoration event that meets

Sponsoring an Oyster Shell Recycling Program volunteer activity begins at

Tree Plantings

under $10,000 per day. Want to make a greater impact? Ask about multi-day

½ Day = $15,000

or multi-year projects across Louisiana’s coast.

1 Day = $18,000

your stewardship goals. Sponsorship of a planting event starts at $15,000 per day for dune grass restoration and increases for marsh and tree plantings.

■ Experience the coast: Want to learn more about the coast and restoration

2 Days = $25,000

efforts? Let CRCL arrange a guided tour via kayak, boat or plane. This can be

Series = $50,000

an addition to a sponsored restoration event or a standalone experience. ■ Get employees involved in volunteering: Boost staff morale and comradery with a team-building event! Sign up a group of your employees to volunteer with an existing event.

A little something extra

Marsh Grass Plantings ½ Day = $11,000 1 Day = $13,000 2 Days = $15,000

■ Add a volunteer appreciation event to thank employees and others who have

Series = $26,000

contributed to your sponsored restoration project. ■ Sponsor a public engagement and education event at which CRCL hosts a ■ Host a happy-hour fundraiser to benefit the coast.

Dune Grass Plantings

■ Sponsor an existing event — CRCL routinely honors coastal stewards, throws

½ Day = $11,000

“parties for the coast” to raise funds for our programs and hosts a biennial

1 Day = $15,000

presentation and discussion over dinner.

conference called State of the Coast.

Thinking outside the box?

$18,000-$36,000

Marissa Allweiss Wendte

Oyster Shell Bagging

Development & Membership Director

$10,000-$20,000

Contact Marissa Wendte for other ways that you can support our coast, communities and economies

marissa.wendte@crcl.org 504-264-6220

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Reef Deployment

C H A M P I O N O U R C O A S T — C O R P O R AT E C O A S TA L S T E W A R D S H I P G U I D E

Employees who volunteer are more engaged and loyal to their companies. DELOIT TE’S 2017 VOLUNTEERISM SURVEY

Volunteer appreciation party sponsored by Abita Brewing Company after a long day planting marsh grass.

Become a CRCL Partner in Coastal Stewardship. Sustain our coast. Enrich your corporate culture. Connect to the community.

Students pose in the Central Wetlands Unit in New Orleans after a tree planting event.

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