[Image: j]VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Join America’s WETLAND and help Restore Marsh at Big Branch National Wildlife Refuge
The America’s WETLAND Conservation Corps is seeking volunteers to help plant marsh grass on the newly created land.
Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, located near the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain and Lacombe, La., is composed of over 18,000 acres of woods and oak ridges, as well as fresh, brackish and saltwater marshes. Many endangered and threatened species are found on the refuge including some notable species such as the brown pelican, the American alligator and the bald eagle.
A large-scale beneficial use of dredged material project was undertaken at the refuge where sediment from Lake Pontchartrain was pumped around the refuge to form new land. These new mud flats now need marsh grass to help anchor the land and keep it from eroding and returning to open water.
Time/Date/Location:
May 26, 2009
8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
Big Branch National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters (see below for directions)
Lacombe, La.
Logistics:
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Please wear clothing that can get muddy.
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Bring sunscreen and bug spray.
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Plan and dress for adverse weather.
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Drinks and snacks will be provided.
Contact Information and RSVP:
Please contact the America’s WETLAND Conservation Corps member Trevor Powell for more information or to sign up to volunteer for this important effort. You can reach Trevor via e-mail at tp1188@yahoo.com or at (985) 859-9061.
Directions:
We will meet up at the refuge headquarters in Lacombe and travel from there to the marsh restoration area. The refuge offices are on Hwy 434 two miles south of I-12 (Exit 74) and just north of the intersection of 434 and Highway 190. Look for the Big Branch Marsh Refuge sign. The phone number there is (985) 882-2000. The headquarters property is known as "Bayou Lacombe Centre."
The America’s WETLAND Conservation Corps is a partnership of the America’s WETLAND Foundation and the LSU AgCenter, which is supported by AmeriCorps, the Louisiana Serve Commission and the Office of Lt. Governor Mitchell J. Landrieu and its generous sponsors including Allstate, Dow, Entergy, Credit Bureau of Baton Rouge and CH2MHILL.