The Coalition To Restore Coastal Louisiana

Restoration programs: the restoration programs have two main components, the oyster shell recyling program and native plants program. Oyster shell recycling program: launched in june 2014, crcl's osrp was established to keep shell out of landfills and slow coastal land loss. In partnership with new orleans restaurants and hundreds of volunteers each year, crcl collects, cures and bags oyster shell before using to build oyster reefs and living shoreline habitat. Through the osrp, the first program of its kind in louisiana, crcl has recycled more than 15 million pounds of shell and together with indigenous and other communities has built seven oyster reefs totaling more than 8,000 linear feet of shoreline protection. Crcl's oyster shell recycling program provides community members with the opportunity to volunteer in coastal restoration work, to learn how louisiana's wetlands protect and provide for our communities, and to see firsthand how oyster shells can support coastal ecosystems within the context of larger restoration plans. Native plants program: founded in 2000, crcls native plants program (npp) leads our efforts to restore louisianas coastal habitats by engaging volunteers and stakeholders to be a part of the solution. Through large-scale plantings of native plants and trees, our partnerships and events facilitate environmental stewardship by louisiana industries, landowners, business leaders, residents and visitors. The npp provides valuable educational experiences for its volunteers. Participants learn about our coastal land loss crisis, its main causes and the various solutions being implemented across the entire louisiana coast. Since its inception, the npp has engaged hundreds of volunteers each year and planted more than 1 million trees and grasses across coastal louisiana.

Future coastal leaders program: crcl's future coastal leaders (fcl) program is a leadership, education, and career development initiative focused on engaging undergraduate students, including those enrolled in community colleges, with interest in coastal restoration. Its purpose, through experiential learning, is to highlight the plentiful careers and/or degrees that exist in addressing coastal and environmental issues. From engineers, scientists, accountants, to architects and non-profit leaders, crcl hopes to motivate the next generation of students to choose coastal restoration as their profession. Policy / outreach / education: crcl educates decision makers about the importance of coastal restoration in louisiana. It interacts directly with members of the community to inform them about coastal land loss and projects that are aimed at restoring the coast. The communications team shares information about volunteer projects and large-scale restoration efforts through social media, mass emails and traditional media. The organization provides expertise to journalists writing about the coastal crisis. Crcl hosts tours for business and civic leaders and social media influencers to provide them a unique view of the states coast. Crcl uses social media, email and printed communications to expand its base of volunteers and supporters. Crcl hosts the biennial state of the coast conference to provide an interdisciplinary forum to exchange timely and relevant information on the dynamic conditions of louisiana's coastal communities, environment, and economy and to apply that information to existing and future coastal restoration and protection efforts, policies, and decision-making. Coastal leadership institute: crcl's coastal leadership institute (cli) is a professional development program featuring monthly sessions at locations across south louisiana, educating midcareer adults about the ecological, cultural, economic and political factors impacting our coast. Participants also learn about the legislative process, the state's coastal protection and restoration authority and the state's coastal master plan. Each session includes a visit to sites and communities impacted by land loss or involved in restoration. There is a fee to participate in the program; scholarships are available.