Wetlands
Common Ground's Wetlands Restoration Project
videos | Wetlands
Common Ground planting bulrush in the wetlands outside of New Orleans. Planting bulrush helps stop soil erosion and wetlands loss. The wetlands are important barriers against hurricanes. By planting bulrush, Common Ground is simultaneously restoring habitat and helping to prevent damages from future Hurricanes. Watch Video
Wetlands Restoration
Volunteer | Wetlands
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The Common Ground Wetlands Restoration program was created to proactively address the dangers faced by New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. We work to bring immediate attention to the ecological and political causes and effects of the 2005 hurricane devastation. The goal is to shed light on where wetlands restoration needs to happen, determine who should be responsible for doing it, and then to do it ourselves where ever possible. We are also dedicated to educating as many folks as possible, both in Louisiana and beyond, on the critical role that wetlands play in our protection from storm surge and how to best keep them healthy. Our goal is to work with consideration and in solidarity with the people of the Gulf Coast.
Information for Interested School Groups
Wetlands
Common Ground Relief's wetlands restoration project currently collaborates with several nonprofits which have a special focus on developing and implementing wetlands education for school aged children. Since the responsibility of wetlands restoration will be passed on to the next generation, we feel that wetlands education is a central priority. Seminars, educational resources, lesson plans, coloring books and more are available to teachers and administrators who are interested in bringing wetlands into the classroom. Hands-on teaching with a strong restoration and conservation focus characterizes most wetlands education programs.
Information for Prospective Volunteers
Wetlands
Common Ground wetlands restoration project is not accepting volunteers for general labor at this time. As the project matures, we believe it is important to shift to a more community-oriented restoration model. That said, we welcome collaborations with individuals, school groups, persons with wetlands expertise, and nonprofits across the country. We would love to talk about how we can work together to raise awareness about the importance of wetlands.
Long-term volunteers willing to acquire a large knowledge base, build and maintain community connections, and work independently in developing programs that are responsive to the community's wetlands restoration needs and goals are welcome to apply through Common Ground's regular on-line application process.
Common Ground Continues to Preserve Louisiana Wetlands
Wetlandsby Kate Marvin
photography by Mavis Yorks
This month, twelve Common Ground volunteers and two media teams went on a planting mission at Lake Cataouatche. This mission is part of a continuing planting project designed to reverse some of the damage done to the wetlands prior to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and provide a sustainable restoration program to protect the city from future hurricanes.
For over a year, members of Common Ground’s Wetlands Restoration program have been working with a division of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry to restore the wetlands through small scale vegetative planting. Together, these organizations pick sites, plant, and monitor the survival of plants in the wetlands.
Common Ground has focused on planting smooth cord grass, cypress trees, and other native wetlands plants. Last Thursday’s project -- planting bulwhip, also known as bulrush, a deep-water plant often used in coastal restoration projects for erosion control. Bulwhip has a comprehensive network of rhizomes and forms dense colonies. It traps sediment, buffers wave action from boats, and helps soil accumulate, providing better growing conditions for other vegetation along the shoreline.
Wetlands Volunteer Info
WetlandsCalling all ecologists, botanists, hydrologists, outdoors enthusiasts, environmental justice advocates, and lovers of wetlands! Common Ground Relief is working on a Wetlands Restoration project created to proactively address the dangers faced by New Orleans and the Gulf Coast from the ongoing destruction of wetlands.
Contacts: Zeraph, Heather, and Michael
commonwetlands@gmail.com, 504-442-2314
Minimum Time Commitment: One Month
We are looking for long-term volunteers who can stay for a month or more as most of our projects require a strong knowledge base and a considerable investment of time and energy. However, if you are interested in helping and do not have a month to volunteer, email or call to see if we will be working on a planting or clean up during your stay!
