Wednesday Why: To Get to the Heart of the Matter

With the start of hurricane season just around the corner, it’s critical to understand that a restored coast offers natural protections that are crucial for the survival of our coastal communities.  Without natural protections in place, such as restored coastal marshes nourished by small to medium fresh water diversions and restored barrier islands,  to work in conjuction with manmade protections, it is only a matter of time before our bayou communities cease to be.  However, this story doesn’t have to end in tragedy.  We can and we must invest in saving our coastal communities.  The cost will be high.  There is no easy way around it.  But what will be the cost if we don’t get to the heart of the matter and make this investment?

What’s your answer to the question,  “Why should we save coastal Louisiana?” To add your why to the project, send your submission to photoproject@bayougrace.org.  And don’t forget to check out other great submissions in our Why Gallery.

Wednesday Why: Because it’s Not Just About Coastal Louisiana

Think what happens in coastal Louisiana doesn’t affect you?  Think again.  When you consider coastal Louisiana’s connection to the rest of our nation through energy production, seafood production, and ports and navigation, it’s evident that restoring, protecting, and saving coastal Louisiana should be considered an issue of national importance and focus.

Consider this:

Coastal Population: Over 2 Million Residents.

Coastal Fisheries: Top fisheries producer in lower 48 with over $3 billion annually & over 40,000 jobs.

Coastal Energy: Top producer of domestic oil with over $70 billion annually.

Coastal Ports: Largest port complex in the world with $35 billion annually & nearly 300,000 jobs.

Storm Protection: The coast’s 2.5 million acres of wetlands have annual storm protection values of between $520 million and $2.2 billion (Contanza, Farber, and Maxwell, 1989).

Do you think coastal Louisiana is worth saving?  If you’d like to add your voice to the “Why should we save coastal Louisiana?” project, send your submission to photoproject@bayougrace.org. And don’t forget to check out other great submissions in our Why Gallery.

Get Your Copy of the “Why Should We Save Coastal Louisiana?” photo project companion book.

Click the photo for information about how to get your copy today.