Driving environmental sustainability and stewardship through scientific research, education, and advocacy.
Restoring a Critical Line of Defense
Forested habitats are best at absorbing wave energy from storm surge, and swamp tree species are some of the most resistant to hurricane winds.
Maurepas Land Bridge (2019)
Logging operations created scars that can still be seen on the landscape as narrow canals (2010).
The Maurepas Land Bridge is a  critical line of defense  in reducing risk from storm surge for communities around Lake Maurepas (including Baton Rouge). Historically, the land bridge was covered with swamp forest dominated by bald cypress trees. The entire land bridge was clear cut in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s when logging of cypress peaked in the region.
Since 2013, LPBF has conducted various swamp tree plantings on the Maurepas Landbridge in partnership with the Restore the Earth Foundation (REF) and with the help of many dedicated community volunteers. Our volunteers help transport, space and plant the trees, as well as outfit them with nutria protectors. Nutria protectors are a critical component of tree survival as trees without protection are readily eaten or destroyed by the  prolific rodent .
On Feb. 7th, Ponchatoula High School agriculture and biology classes came out to plant some bald cypress with us on the Manchac Land Bridge. We had 20 volunteers who planted 300 trees in one day! This is the 4th year the group has planted with us & to date, they've planted 2600 trees with us!

AND... Ponchatoula High School is currently in the process of establishing a bald cypress nursery as part of their agriculture program so that they can grow the trees they plant with us in the future.

Many thanks to Southeastern University's Turtle Cove Research Station for their pontoon boat. We could not have done it without you!
Removing Abandoned Crab Traps
Marine Debris Program,  Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries , and  Valero Energy  for their support of our Derelict Crab Trap Removal program.

We recently removed 1,142 traps from East Lake Pontchartrain.

We will be working in  Lake Borgne  in March.

Stay tuned for more about this important program that not only reduces  marine debris  but also reduces the mortality of  blue crabs  and other species due to  ghost fishing . 
Weekly Water Quality Results
Lake Pontchartrain was removed from the EPA's Impaired Waterways list in 2006. Present water quality is typically within the acceptable range for recreation.
Consult the table and map above for last week's weekly water sampling results. You can review these each week here!

NOTES:
-If fecal coliform number is highlighted in yellow, swimming is not advisable.
-If fecal coliform number is highlighted in red, neither swimming nor boating are advisable.
Events You Don't Want to Miss:
Join us March 21 for
Spring Sweep

Tree Planting -
Multiple Dates
Opportunities available in March.
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From the Blog:
A message from our Executive Director
E.D. Kristi Trail
2020 is in full swing here at Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation! We are gearing up for a busy spring. I hope you all can join us for our big "Spring Sweep" event on March 21. Spring Sweep is an opportunity for volunteers, partners, and sponsors to come together to care for their neighborhoods and areas that drain the Pontchartrain Basin. Together we clean curbs, ditches, and storm drains on city streets and rural roadways. Register here to be a part of this important event .

Every day, our scientists & educators are working hard to protect our basin. Our Pontchartrain Basin habitats provide important ecological, cultural, and economical benefits. Our work protects all the habitats of the basin for the diverse array of plant and animal life which are critical to maintaining a healthy, vibrant community. But we can't do it without your support.