Baton Rouge - The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL), the Rainey Alliance and the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority are looking for volunteers to participate in a marsh restoration project at Christian Marsh (west of Vermilion Bay).

Volunteers will plant nearly 40,000 plants along newly constructed marsh terraces to help prevent further erosion and to stabilize the soil. Volunteer efforts will produce new habitats that will support a variety of aquatic wildlife and migratory birds.

Volunteers are needed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on multiple dates:

• Monday, May 14

• Thursday, May 17

• Friday, May 18

• Saturday, May 19

Our volunteers will launch from the Intracoastal City public boat launch, south of Abbeville.

Volunteers are also needed on Wednesday, May 16, to help unload and transport marsh grass by boat to the project site. This will help prepare the site that will be planted May 17 - 19.

All volunteers must register with CRCL to attend the event at www.crcl.org.

Volunteers will be transported to the planting site by boat. This will be a very muddy day. This is a strenuous and dirty activity, so physical fitness is required. All planting equipment (gloves, shovels, etc.), lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Additional support for this project comes from Cargill Dicing Technology, Coypu, NOAA and Restore America’s Estuaries.

The Rainey Alliance is a restoration partnership comprised of McIlhenny Company, the National Audubon Society, Sagrera Estates, and Vermilion Corporation.

For more information about volunteering for this event, please call 1-888-LA-COAST. Media should contact CRCL Communications Director Scott Madere at 225-767-4181 or scottm@crcl.org.