Saving the shore coastal wildlife

Any third-grade science class graduate understands the connection between the preservation of habitat to the food chain and the survival of wildlife.

Louisiana’s wetlands provide critical habitat and food resources for some of the nation’s most productive recreational and commercial fisheries. The abundance of fisheries is directly correlates to the millions of acres of coastal marsh used as a nursery by young fish and shellfish. In turn, the state’s three million acres of coastal wetlands attract over five million migratory waterfowl annually and serve as a home to many endangered or threatened species.

Unfortunately, Hurricane Isaac washed away many of the dunes along the barrier islands in southeast Louisiana. The 2012 storm was only the latest hit to the region, which has sustained damage from 2011’s Tropical Storm Lee and 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster.

So, next weekend (March 1 and 2), The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL) and Abita Beer invite all amateur environmentalists to participate in Save Our Shore: Volunteer for the Coast event on Grand Isle, La. Over the weekend, Save Our Shore volunteers will construct one mile of dune fence and plant thousands of dune grasses. All equipment (shovels, gloves, hammers, etc.,) as well as lunch will be provided.

“If you can build up an area of the beach where small animals—crustaceans, fish—thrive,” says CRCL’s Director of Communications Scott Madere, “sandpipers, pelicans and other birds will be able to feed and that contributes to a healthy ecosystem.”

After each day’s activity, the CRCL and Abita Beer host a volunteer appreciation event that celebrates the day’s accomplishment and Louisiana’s ties to the coast’s culture, food with fresh seafood, BBQ, live music, games and Abita beer and root beer.

For more information or to register, visit www.crcl.org or call the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana at 1-(888)-LACOAST for more information.

Click here for this week’s Creature Feature.