LPBF Lecture Series at the Lighthouse: Dr. Theryn Henkel

Come to the New Canal Light House and learn about Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation’s successful swamp restoration at the Caernarvon Freshwater Diversion and on the Maurepas Land Bridge.

In 2010, LPBF began planting cypress trees in the outfall area of the Caernarvon Freshwater Diversion due to new wetland growth. A swamp in this area would reduce storm surge risk to federal and local levees, benefit from the exposure to Mississippi River water and help stabilize a growing Caernarvon delta. Rampant nutria herbivory would make natural establishment difficult if nearby seed sources existed. Monitoring the trees for survival and growth rates began in 2012 and continues to the present. By the end of the 2016/2017 winter planting season, approximately 24,000 trees will have been planted in the area, over 120 acres restored and five years of monitoring data collected. Through 205, survival averaged 70%! Because of success in the Caernarvon area, other areas amenable to swamp restoration were sought. The Maurepas land bridge was chosen as a new site to test lessons learned from the Caernarvon project. The land bridge is a critical landscape feature that reduces storm surge risk to nearby communities and east Baton Rouge. By the end of the 2016/2017 planting season we will have approximately 25,500 trees planted in the Maurepas area, over 130 acres restored and three years of monitoring data. At all plantings baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) is the dominant species planted but water tupleo (Nyssa aquatica), blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica), red maple (Acer rubrum) and green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) are planted as well. Over the years of planting and monitoring, many lessons have been learned on how to effectively restore swamp habitat. In addition, most of the trees are planted using volunteers and partners, making this project an effective community outreach tool.

Admission is free but donations are always appreciated! Please let us know if you think you can make it so we can be sure to have enough chairs.

Lecture will be given by Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation’s Assistant Director for the Coastal Sustainability Program, Theryn Henkel.

 More information available here.