THIBODAUX, La. ā ¹ū¶³APP and the Port of South Louisiana announced a partnership to aid the study of coastal restoration.
Through the cooperative endeavor agreement, the Port will allocate $18,000 for research, training and coastal restoration projects at the ¹ū¶³APP Farm. This is the fourth year in a row the Port has worked with ¹ū¶³APP to support restoration efforts.
āItās important for everyone to get involved in coastal protection and coastal restoration,ā says Paul Aucoin, executive director of the Port. āOur future depends on it, and this contribution is our small way of contributing to that effort.ā
The 277-acre farm is three miles south of ¹ū¶³APPā campus. The property serves as an environmental research and education center for ¹ū¶³APP and other partners. Housed at the farm are labs, classrooms, greenhouses, shade houses, storage barns and a 7.5-acre pond for wetland plant production.
¹ū¶³APP biology students and faculty have spearheaded coastal restoration efforts through the Farm. They have grown, harvested and planted over 30,000 plants in coastal habitats in recent years.
āThis gives us a lot of flexibility to do what we need and be able to respond to the needs of the community,ā said Dr. Allyse Ferrara, Jerry Ledet Endowed Professor of Environmental Biology. āWe greatly appreciate the support from the Port of South Louisiana.ā
As Americaās largest tonnage Port district, the Port of South Louisiana is the premier sea gateway for U.S. export and import traffic. Headquartered in LaPlace, the Port stretches 54 miles along the Mississippi River. The stretch of river accounts for 53 industries and 30,000 jobs.
āIf we donāt do this, we will lose our coast. We will lose Thibodaux. We will lose Louisiana,ā Aucoin said. āWe are not in the business of coastal restoration. So we help by contributing to programs like ¹ū¶³APP that are.ā
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 27, 2019
CONTACT: Jacob Batte, Media Relations and Publications Coordinator, 985.448.4141 or jacob.batte@nicholls.edu