Leeville Living Shoreline Installation

Saturday, October 3, 2026

24359 Old Hwy 1, Golden Meadow, LA 70357

Theogene B. Melancon Boat Launch

10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to unite people in action to achieve a thriving, sustainable Louisiana coast for all. Incorporated in 1988, CRCL represents a unique mix of businesses, local governments, industries, scientific communities, national and local conservation groups, hunters, anglers and a broad spectrum of concerned residents who share a common vision and commitment to the sustainability of coastal Louisiana. Launched in 2000, CRCL’s Native Plant Program has planted millions of plants across Louisiana’s coast with thousands of volunteers.CRCL’s Oyster Shell Recycling Program recycles shell from New Orleans restaurants and uses that shell to restore oyster reefs and shoreline habitats across coastal Louisiana. Since launching the program in 2014, CRCL has recycled over 16 million lbs of oyster shells.

Parking and registration will occur at the boat launch. You will see signs to guide you. We will be moving bags of oyster shells from land to water via a line of volunteers. Bags of oyster shells weigh about 30 pounds; please be mindful of this when signing up to volunteer. We will also be planting marsh grasses behind the reef. Some volunteers will take a short boat ride around the boat launch to the project site to install the bags of oyster shells and marsh grasses. Volunteers are invited but not required to get into the water to construct the reef.

Volunteers must complete registration and liability waiver below to attend.

Registration:

• Everyone must sign our release and waiver of rights upon registration. Volunteers 17 years old and younger must have a parent or guardian complete the registration on their behalf.

• Please note the minimum age for volunteers is 16. No one younger than 16 will be allowed to participate. Minors are required to have a waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian and must be accompanied by an adult.

• This event may fill up quickly. If you register and later discover you are unable to attend, please notify us by email at volunteers@crcl.org so another volunteer can take your slot.

Communications:

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

• Registered volunteers will receive an additional email two to three days prior to the event with specific driving directions and additional event details. If it is the day before the event and you have not received this email, check your spam folder. If it is not there, email volunteers@crcl.org.

Day-of Logistics & Safety:

• Volunteer check-in will be from 9:30 to 10 a.m.

• We will begin the intro speech and logistics discussion at 10 a.m., so please arrive promptly.

• If you are interested in carpooling, see the event’s carpool board. Carpool at your own risk and discretion.

• We will be fire-lining bags of oyster shells from the shore into boats, then taking a boat ride to the reef and fire-lining the bags out of the boats. Please take time to rest, hydrate and reapply sunscreen. Volunteers may also choose to plant marsh grass behind the reef.

• Please note that moving shell and boarding boats can be a strenuous physical activity. If you are hesitant to participate or have questions, feel free to email sofia.giordano@crcl.org to discuss any physical limitations. We may be able to find an alternative task for you.

• Snacks, lunch, water, sports drinks and all necessary equipment (including work gloves) will be provided to volunteers. Please bring a reusable water bottle to cut down on plastic waste. CRCL provides waterproof boots on a first-come, first-serve basis.

• If you have a severe allergy or dietary restriction, please email sofia.giordano@crcl.org. 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 your own 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.

• All volunteers must wear life jackets while on boats and listen to the boat captains at all times.

What to bring:

• Long-sleeved shirt highly recommended to prevent scratches!

• Reusable water bottle

• Closed-toed shoes

• Change of clothes (especially socks!)

Not sure what to expect? Check out the video of a previous reef build event here!

Volunteering on our coast is a wonderful way to spend a day, and we would like to ensure that everyone gets a chance to have a great experience. We require that all volunteers register to let us know if you plan to attend.

• If any additional members of your family/friends are attending, they also must register.

• If the event registration is full, you can be added to a waiting list. Please email volunteers@crcl.org.

• If you’d like to bring a group to volunteer, please let us know and we’ll try our best to accommodate you.

For inquiries about any of the above, please email sofia.giordano@crcl.org.