DEDICATED TO CONSERVATION AND WETLANDS RESTORATION

By Lt. Brian Clark

 

At the crack of dawn on any given morning, you can likely find Gatien Livaudais, of St.Bernard Parish, overlooking a forest of some seven to eight thousand trees located on his property adjacent to his back porch. This forest is different than others, being that trees are planted in pots with fertilizer and growing at different stages to be replanted in different areas along the coast.  Livaudais, a life long resident of St.Bernard Parish and property owner, is one of the founders and active members in an organization known as the St.Bernard Wetlands Foundation. The organization’s goal is to enhance and protect wetlands contiguous of St.Bernard Parish, and they are determined to do just that.

In 1992, a group of concerned wetland owners and conservationist formed a committee to look at the feasibility of forming the Wetlands Foundation. In one year’s time, a corporation was formed and projects were being planned. The Wetlands Foundation, partner-shipped with the Crescent Soil and Water Conservation District, set out to find solutions to the problem of losing 50 square miles of precious coastal marshland each year. This being a very difficult task , the organization  began to exploit the necessity of protecting the wetlands. One of the organizations biggest accomplishments was the release of Florida strain Bass into the brackish marsh in  St.Bernard Parish.  Livaudais explained that if this project was successful, and with the right media attention, the public would realize the importance of protecting and restoring such vital habitat.  The organization also plays a vital role in the Freshwater Diversion Project near Canarvon. For several months each year, mainly in the spring, freshwater flows from the Mississippi River into the brackish marsh and its purpose is to deliver nutrients needed to restore damaged wetlands.  River soil also comes with the flow of the freshwater deposits and creates land along its course. The foundation monitors projects along the diversion sight, and has input with its rate of flow.  Up to date, the coastline still suffers a loss of about 25 square miles per year and it is figured that the decrease comes from the most fragile marsh already being gone. The organization is diligently working towards new goals each year to put a stop to this mass destruction of such a vital resource.

For this year’s 2001 project, Enforcement Agents with the La. Dept. of Wildlife & Fisheries, on a public relations mission, along with members of the organization and concerned conservationists came together as a group with the common goal of planting trees along the coast.  It was recorded that nearly four thousand trees (oak & cypress) were planted at different locations in the marsh.  It is estimated that there is about an 85% success rate of survival with the trees if there is no drought.  The organization will continue to monitor the growth and conduct research for future projects.  At present, one of the organization’s biggest challenges, along with other active groups, is their involvement in the closure of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet.  This channel relentlessly feeds saltwater into the marshes of St.Bernard Parish from the gulf, and is responsible for the death of thousands of acres of cypress swamp and valuable coastal estuaries. Current solutions are being sought to bring this destruction to an end.

The Wetlands organization has realized that there will be an ongoing battle to stop the rapid destruction of the coastline.  The executive board and its members are dedicated and determined to solve problems. This organization is growing and has branched out to different parishes along the coast.  One example of its growth is that in St.Charles Parish at a local high school, the planting of trees along the coast has become a science project. Students conduct research and participate in the hands on planting and monitoring of growth and survival.  The area most focused on is the Spillway in St.Charles Parish.  The Wetlands foundation supplies all of the necessary equipment and trees to aid in this worthwhile project.

As enforcement agents, we are very fortunate to participate in the protection and monitoring of all our natural resources.  We know the importance of wetlands restoration and protection.  The coastal wetlands and its valuable estuaries are probably the most important ingredient when it comes to the big picture of things.  Sit back and think for a minute of how important it is and what economic impact the coastline has on Louisiana as a whole.  It’s bigger than we can imagine.  It is very much worth protecting.