The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL) invites you to join us to plant marsh grasses in the Central Wetlands Unit! CRCL is proud to be a partner organization of the Central Wetlands Reforestation Collective (CWRC). This group of organizations is collaborating to reestablish a bald cypress and water tupelo bottomland hardwood forest near New Orleans. The other organizations in the collective include Pontchartrain Conservancy, Common Ground Relief, CSED of the Lower 9th Ward, and the Arlene & Joseph Meraux Foundation.

The Central Wetlands Unit was heavily impacted by historic logging and saltwater intrusion from the Mississippi Gulf Outlet (MRGO). What once was a thick and healthy swamp is now mostly marsh and open water. Following the closure of MRGO, the salinity in this area has dropped to where it can once again support cypress trees. Restoring the swamp forest will result in higher quality wildlife habitat, storm surge/wind attenuation, and healthier ecosystems.

With your help, CRCL and other CWRC organizations will plant more than 30,000 grass plugs in the Central Wetlands Unit over the next four years.

Volunteers will be planting in shallow water, you WILL get wet and muddy. Boats will be used to transport volunteers to the planting site.

Everyone MUST complete the registration on this page and sign our release and waiver of rights.

Not sure what to expect? Watch this short video!

Day-of Logistics & Safety:

• Minimum age for this event is 16 years old. Volunteers 17 years old and younger must have a parent or guardian complete the registration on their behalf.

• Volunteers MUST wear closed-toed shoes and pants (to prevent scratches while navigating in the water)

• We will begin with an intro speech and logistics discussion at 9:00 am. Please arrive promptly to ensure you don’t miss any important information.

• If you have a severe allergy or dietary restriction, please email sofia.giordano@crcl.org, and we will do our best to accommodate you. We are currently unable to accommodate gluten-free or vegan volunteers. If you are gluten-free or vegan, please bring a lunch. If you have a severe allergy that requires an EpiPen, please be sure to bring it with you.

• CRCL staff members are Wilderness First Aid-trained. If you get injured during any activity, please report it to a CRCL staff member immediately.

• If you require verification of your service, please email volunteers@crcl.org following the event.

• Please be sure to provide a good email address during registration. This is the address that will be used to communicate any last-minute event details.

What to bring:

1. Reusable water bottle
2. Closed-toed shoes that WILL get wet and muddy.
3. Long-sleeve shirt optional, pants required

What we provide:

1. Snacks
2. Water
3. Lunch
4. Bug Spray
5. Sunscreen
6. Gloves
7. All necessary project equipment

For inquiries about any of the above, you can contact us at volunteers@crcl.org