The Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program (BTNEP) in Louisiana is partnering with Shell Oil to help restore coastal marsh and ridge ecosystems, including in Lafourche Parish.
BTNEP Deputy Director Dean Blanchard said the projects are part of a four-year program.
“Restoring ridges and adjacent marshes are a great way to provide valuable habitat and storm protection,” Blanchard said in a news release. “This type of restoration always requires multiple partners to be successful. The use of volunteers from around the country to help vegetate these restored ridges is an important tool to raise awareness about our issues here in the estuary.”
Blanchard said the ridges and marshes provide habitats and food for animals such as fish and birds, including threatened and endangered species of migratory songbirds.
Ridges stand several feet above sea level and act as speed bumps to slow down storm surge, he added.
Shell will provide money and volunteers to work with BTNEP and the Barataria-Terrebonne Estuary Foundation.