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Restore or Retreat volunteers plant thousands of marsh grasses and mangroves at West Grand Terre; Port Fourchon terraces receive 12,000 mangroves
Summary
Restore or Retreat described two volunteer‑led restoration efforts to the CPRA board: an October 2024 planting of roughly 8,200 plants at West Grand Terre and a Port Fourchon terraces effort that placed 12,000 mangroves over three days with local partners and private grants.
Representative Joseph Ojuro and Polly Glover of Restore or Retreat presented to the CPRA board on Feb. 19 about two volunteer‑led restoration efforts in the Lower Barataria Basin: planting at West Grand Terre and terraces and living shoreline work near Port Fourchon.
West Grand Terre planting
Polly Glover said Restore or Retreat’s October 2024 planting at West Grand Terre involved 37 volunteers and approximately 8,200 plants across three species (sand oaks in a dune test plot, smooth cordgrass and black mangrove) planted to stabilize shoreline and reestablish habitat. Glover described an earlier phase 1 planting (Nov. 2022) of about 10 acres that has since vegetated. She told the board the group used dredged sediment to reconstruct marsh platform and that volunteer plantings help with sediment retention and habitat for shorebirds and fisheries.
Glover and Ojuro reported a post‑winter field check after an unusual snow event: they observed approximately 80% survivorship among vermilion smooth cordgrass and more stress among black mangroves (roughly 50–60% showing top damage consistent with cold exposure). Restore or Retreat plans another island visit in April to reassess and, if necessary, supplement plantings.
Port Fourchon terraces and living shoreline
Ojuro and Glover described a terraces project near Port Fourchon undertaken with Ducks Unlimited, Woodside Energy and other partners. The project includes 22 earthen terraces totaling roughly 87,000 linear feet. In December (volunteer event), MANG (a private organization) and other donors paid for mangrove stock; volunteers planted 12,000 mangroves over three days as part of the terraces and living shoreline demonstration. The team also tested matrix materials (Cajun coral) for shoreline stabilization.
Funding and collaboration
Glover identified three principal funders for West Grand Terre plantings: a CPRA Partnership Trust Fund grant, a Restore America’s Estuaries grant, and a CITGO contribution; private donors provided additional vegetation stock. The Port Fourchon mangrove purchase was supported by a $100,000 Woodside Energy grant for stock.
Community engagement and volunteering
Both presenters emphasized the volunteer dimension: Restore or Retreat organizes hands‑on planting events that they say build public ownership of coastal restoration and expose volunteers to hands‑on conservation work. They provided contact information (restoreretreat.org) for people seeking to volunteer.
Board follow‑up and context
Board members asked about survival rates and planting logistics; presenters said they make field visits every two to four months and will continue to monitor and report. The presenters also noted historical uses of West Grand Terre and that the island was affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill; they credited settlement funds historically used for coastal restoration and noted the state is seeking long‑term revenue replacements beyond the settlement period (presenters referenced revenue timelines and recent constitutional changes but did not identify an exact dollar amount as part of this briefing).
