Schriever, LA-  Restore or Retreat hosted the inaugural Working for Our Coast event where Terrebonne Parish 11th graders visited Fletcher Technical Community College to explore coastal careers.

 

Thanks to a grant from Chevron, nearly 900 students from all four Terrebonne Parish public high schools were transported to Fletcher's main campus during fall break. After a video welcome by Terrebonne Parish President Gordon Dove and introduction to the coast, students heard from several guest speakers on coastal careers like engineering, construction, biology, government, geomatics, and journalism.  

 

Students were also able to visit outside tables supported by area businesses and local organizations like the Barataria Terrebonne National Estuary Program, as well as take part in demonstrations on the main lawn by Nicholls Geomatics program before heading back to school.

 

"In our area, people of all ages know how important it is to restore and protect our coast," said Simone Maloz, Executive Director of Restore or Retreat. "We have a tremendous opportunity in the very near future to build major restoration and protection projects here in the Bayou Region, and there is no better workforce to build these projects than the generation that could benefit the most from this work. We are grateful for the support of our sponsor Chevron, as well as Fletcher and Terrebonne Parish schools that allowed us to help the up and coming generation of coastal workers understand the opportunities ahead."

 

"We would like to thank Restore or Retreat for selecting Fletcher to host the first annual Working for Our Coast event," said Dr. Kristine Strickland, Chancellor. "Fletcher is committed to training and educating future generations, not only on the issues that we face, but also the solutions we can employ to restore and protect our coast. The opportunity for us to share with high school students the good career opportunities that await them after graduation is essential in ensuring that the Bayou Region has the workforce it needs to address the pressing environmental issues of our communities."

From EPA-- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler concluded his swing through the Bayou State where he addressed regional economic leaders and toured a coastal restoration site in Luling, Louisiana.

"Coastal restoration is vital to the preservation of the environmental and economic health of the Gulf Coast," said EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "Today, we saw firsthand the impact of erosion on Louisiana's coast and the potential solutions that are possible when EPA, the RESTORE Council, NGOs, and the private sector all work together. These important restoration projects can help replenish wildlife and mitigate coastal erosion."

Acting Administrator Wheeler was joined by Regional Administrators Trey Glenn and Anne Idsal from Region 4 and Region 6, RESTORE Council Executive Director Ben Scaggs, National Wildlife Federation Gulf Restoration Director David Muth, Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Johnny Bradberry, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Chuck Carr Brown, and Restore or Retreat Executive Director Simone Maloz at Davis Pond in Luling

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"These kinds of projects will restore and improve water quality in Louisiana and throughout the Gulf Coast region, benefiting the Region 4 states of Alabama, Florida and Mississippi," said Region 4 Administrator Trey Glenn.

"The health of the Gulf Coast is vital to Louisiana's communities and economy," said Region 6 Administrator Anne Idsal. "Succ essful restoration projects like this will allow the area to continue to prosper."

 

"We are thankful that Acting Administrator Wheeler has come to learn more about the Mississippi River Delta, which feeds and fuels the nation and plays a central role in the overall strength of the ecology and economy of the Gulf Coast," said National Wildlife Federation Gulf Restoration Director David Muth. "We look forward to working closely with him and the Restore Council on the ongoing restoration efforts in the Gulf."

"Here in Louisiana, seeing is believing. Restore or Retreat was grateful to work with the State to host Administrator Wheeler and his staff for a briefing and field trip to see firsthand how Louisiana's Coastal Master Plan will tackle our coastal challenges and build opportunities," said Restore or Retreat Executive Director Simone Maloz. "We look forward to building our relationship with the Administrator and Special Advisor Ken Wagner."