Pointe aux Chenes cleanup funds OK’d; volunteers needed

A flood of money and volunteers are headed for Louisiana wildlife refuges, including one Tri-parish area, to restore devastating loss to wetlands after hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Mid-December, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation awarded the National Wildlife Federation $289,000 in grant money, accumulated from a donation made by Shell Oil. The money will be spent on an as needed basis between 12 state and federal natural sanctuaries.

Pointe aux Chenes was chosen by the NWF as an area of significant need and will receive aid.

“Hurricanes Katrina and Rita caused major damage to wildlife habitat in Louisiana,” said Susan Kaderka, the Gulf States regional director of the National Wildlife Federation. “Thousands of trees were blown down, forests and marshlands were choked with debris, and large areas of coastal wetlands were scoured of vegetation.”

Before the federation can use the money, contractual work must be completed with the foundation. Kaderka said she hopes the logistics will be completed early enough to get projects under way sometime in March.

“Some of the work we will be doing, like planting, is seasonal so we’re hoping to get started in the spring,” she said.

According to Kaderka, Pointe aux Chenes was one project chosen because of the amount of work needed, current phase of restoration, and the type of restoration needed.

The wildlife refuge, located near Montegut, needs volunteers and equipment for invasive control, cleaning up trash, planting vegetation and replacing downed trees.

The federation chose the 12 sites based on the amount of damage received from the hurricanes and number of volunteers and equipment needed. Some areas receiving minimal or no damage or were close to finishing clean up were eliminated from the pool to ensure the grant was designated to areas of greatest need.

Kaderka said once the money is appropriated, the NWF will begin recruiting 2,500 volunteers to contribute some 60,000 hours of labor. Local clubs, outdoor organizations, hunting and fishing groups as well as cub scouts and other youth service groups commonly donate time.

Local volunteers are preferred because less travel translates into cheaper transportation costs, but Kaderka said there has been some interest from organizations around the nation wanting to help in Louisiana.

“We are in a position as a national department where we can access volunteers and help from across the country,” she said.

The $289,000 will not be divided equally between projects n rather dependant on how much is needed for manpower. Equipment and planting material will be funded with the money that is left over.

Removing man-made or natural debris left in the wake of the storms or ridding invasion species like Chinese tallow from native vegetation requires people to volunteer their time and plan to spend a large part of the grant on funding for transportation, gloves, tools and other materials.

“What we are seeing a lot of in Louisiana, especially after the storms, are some species choking out native vegetation, which make for good habitats for birds and other species,” Kaderka said.

The invasive plants moved in when hurricane winds toppled trees, destroying the natural canopy, which increased sunlight and produced an environment suitable for non-native species to dominate, she said.

“If we can spend the money to get 50 people and give them some gloves, that will make a difference,” said Kaderka.

The National Wildlife Federation will soon be assembling volunteers for the Pointe aux Chenes recovery project and the other 11 sites around the state. Those interested in donating time or for additional information, contact the Louisiana National Wildlife Federation in Baton Rouge at (225) 344-6762.

Andrea Carlson can be reached at andrea@tri-parishtimes.com.