CRCL's Marsh Grass Planting Event 

Friday, June 23, 2023

Big Branch National Wildlife Refuge

Lacombe, LA

9 AM - 3 PM

The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL) is excited to have you join us for a grass planting in Big Branch! We will be working to plant southern bulrush to restore blowouts along the shore caused by Hurricane Ida. This project is phase II of a project initiated in May 2022 and will help to minimize salt water intrusion into freshwater marsh habitat. Volunteers will ride on airboats to the project site and will be walking through shallow waters.

Important information:

• Everyone must sign our release and waiver of rights upon registration. Volunteers 17 and younger must have a parent/ guardian complete the registration on their behalf.

• Check-in is from 8:50 AM - 9:15 AM

• Registered volunteers will receive an additional email 2-3 days prior to the event with SPECIFIC driving directions and additional details. If it is the day before the event and you have not received this email, check your spam folder, if not found, email volunteers@crcl.org. 

• If you are interested in carpooling, please post to our carpool board. If you can offer a ride, please include the capacity of your vehicle, departure and return times, and where you are driving from. Please carpool at your own risk and discretion.

• Please note the minimum age for volunteers is 16. No one under 16 will be allowed to participate in any capacity, sorry, no exceptions. 

• Snacks, water, and sports drinks will be provided to volunteers. Please bring your own refillable water bottle to cut down on plastic waste! If you have any dietary restrictions or severe allergies, please email sofia.giordano@crcl.org, and we will do our best to accommodate you.

• All equipment (gloves, shovels, sunscreen, etc.) will be provided to volunteers. CRCL will provide boots on a first-come, first-serve basis. Closed-toed shoes are REQUIRED.

• Volunteers will be planting in the marsh, which is a wet and dirty environment with unpredictable terrain. Bringing a change of clothes is recommended as volunteers will be walking through shallow water. This is a strenuous activity, so physical fitness is required.

We require that all volunteers register to let us know if you plan to attend. If any additional members of your family/friends are attending, then they must also register. If, after registering, you find that you are unable to attend, please notify us of your cancellation at volunteers@crcl.org.

Volunteering on our coast is a wonderful way to spend a day and we would like to ensure that everyone gets a chance to have a great experience.

• If the event registration is full, you can request to be added to the waitlist by emailing volunteers@crcl.org.

• If you'd like to bring a group to volunteer, please let us know, and we'll try our best to accommodate you.

For inquiries about any of the above, you can contact our Native Plants Program Coordinator, Gardner Goodall, at gardner.goodall@crcl.org.