Volunteers needed for wetlands project

Two local organizations are seeking volunteers to help bring the term “grassroots initiative” back down to a more literal level.

The Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program and Nicholls State University’s Department of Biological Sciences will join together Saturday, Nov. 18, to help stop erosion in two of the areas wetlands.

The group’s first project was held this past Saturday on Fifi Island, a small island just north of Grand Isle. According to Joni Blanchard, public involvement coordinator for BTNEP, the bayou between the two islands has been recently dredged and the sandy soil was deposited on Fifi Island to fill in an area that has been eroding for quite some time.

“They built about 140 acres in less than three weeks of time,” Blanchard said. Once the land had time to settle for the excess water to drain, the planting began.

“We are planting to help hold the soil in place,” Blanchard explained. “The roots of the plants are what hold the wetlands together.”

Volunteers planted two different types of grasses, Smooth Cord and Marsh Hay Cord, on the 140-acre strip, Blanchard said. The grass was supplied by NSU.

“What the students at Nicholls have been doing is collecting plants from specific sites in costal Louisiana and then bringing them back to their farm at NSU and breeding them.” Blanchard said. “Now we will bring them back to the coast and the students at Nicholls will continue to monitor the plants and conduct studies about what works, what doesn’t and why.”

According to Blanchard, the day provided a great opportunity for youngsters “to see and to touch” coastal restoration. “It’s also great because they are exposed to real science,” she said. “They are out there with real scientists and graduate students and the kids are able to see that you can, in fact, pursue science as a career.”

The group planted around 5,000 to 7,000 plants across the area.

The project on Nov. 18 will be a little different. “It’s going to be a lot muddier and a little stickier,” Blanchard said. “This one may be better suited for older kids and adults.” The site for the Nov. 18 “adventure” will be in Leeville, located near Grand Isle.

Volunteers are encouraged to wear rubber boots and to bring an extra change of socks and shoes for the ride home. Lunch will be provided for volunteers at both sites.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Joni Blanchard at (985) 447-0838.