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Wetlands Restoration
CGR has been revegetating a 12-parish region across Southeast Louisiana since 2007. CGR staff works with state parks and land owners to design and implement wetlands restoration projects focused on revegetation of appropriate native species along ridge forests, bottomland hardwood swamps, marshes, and iris bogs.
The Wetlands Restoration program restores Southeast Louisiana’s ecosystems by planting native trees, marsh grasses, and irises. This initiative aims to combat coastal erosion and revitalize vital habitats. With the help of volunteers, it has made significant strides in reestablishing the region’s natural defenses against climate change.
Impact
In 2023, the program planted over 25,000 native species across 12 parishes, directly contributing to the mitigation of coastal erosion and biodiversity loss. Through partnerships and volunteer efforts, the program has restored critical habitats for countless species, bolstering both ecological and community resilience.
For over ten years, CGR has organized native tree and marsh grass plantings to rebuild land and habitat. In its 2023 planting season alone, CGR was able to plant 43,500 plugs of grass, restoring over 41 miles of linear shoreline. CGR is able to replant this incredible volume of native grasses with help from volunteers ranging in age from teens to retirees, who come out in the marshes and swamps to get their hands dirty in the name of coastal restoration. CGR has also used innovative landfilling techniques like working with repurposed Christmas trees and recycled glass to rebuild land lost through wetland degradation.