Dense Fog Advisory in effect tomorrow morning
November 7, 2023
Keep Louisiana Beautiful grants 25 organizations in 15 parishes a total of $141,133 in Greener Grounds Grants
November 7, 2023
Earlier today, Nicholls State University hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the campus’s brand-new Coastal Center.
“For 75 years, Nicholls has fulfilled a mission to serve coastal communities and industries– a mission incumbent as the Louisiana university closest to the coast,” said Dr. John Doucet, Professor and Dean of Sciences and Technology. “For 75 years, 87% of our students, faculty, and staff have called a Louisiana coastal parish their home. Thank you all for coming and supporting these efforts.”
“As we break ground today, we break ground on a new era of research at Nicholls State University,” said the university’s President Dr. Jay Clune. “The Coastal Center will be more than just a beautiful building. It is a testament to our dedication to preserving our way of life in coastal Louisiana. This state-of-the-art facility will host cutting edge research labs, collaborative spaces, education exhibits, and more. I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has made this project possible.”
The goals of Nicholls State University’s new Coastal Center are stated as follows, via their website:
- Advance scientific research and solutions to restore, protect, and sustain the Louisiana coast
- Develop and implement strategies to nourish, manage, and sustain the Atchafalaya and Terrebonne Basins, the Barataria-Terrebonne Estuary, and the Lafourche Delta.
- Support the efforts of and partner with local, state, and federal agencies, including Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, to implement Louisiana’s Coastal Master Plan.
- Support studies focused on culture, cohesiveness, and resilience of coastal communities
- train new generations of coastal scientists and coastal stewards through educational programming for K-16+ students.
- Support coastal protection and restoration efforts of both professionals and volunteers through development and extension of best practices through outreach.
“We have been making every effort to invest in higher education,” said Governor John Bel Edwards. “There is not a need all over the country for coastal restoration. There is not even a need all over the state. But there is definitely a need here, in Lafourche Parish, for a Coastal Center. We are so excited for this new development.”
Also in attendance in support of this new groundbreaking were Senator Bret Allain, Representative Jerome Zeringue, Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson, and Thibodaux Mayor Kevin Clement.
For more information about Nicholls State University’s upcoming Coastal Center, please visit their official website.
