louisiana vanishing coastal wetlands 8 31-10
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Ducks Unlimited - South Carolina Wetland Conservation Projects - Louisiana Vanishing Coastal WetlandsTRANSCRIPT
Ducks Unlimited Delivering Continental Conservation
Our Vision
A world of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever.
Carolina Connection
Sponsor initiative to raise $2.5 million by the end of 2010 to support our conservation efforts, in South Carolina and on the breeding grounds where our waterfowl originate.
All DU sponsors – from Bronze to Wetlands Guardian levels – that commit to Carolina Connection will help us reach our goal.
South CarolinaConservation Program
South CarolinaConservation Program
Restoring wetland functions 33 completed projects 34,602 conserved acres DU funds $1.5M Partner funds $16.6M (over 11:1 match) Continual evaluation of projects
Current Projects
Lowcountry Initiative
Santee Coastal Reserve
Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center (5)
ACE Basin NWR (3)
Santee NWR (4)
Botany Bay WMA
Mottled Duck Research Project
Lowcountry Initiative
Santee Coastal Reserve
Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center (5)
ACE Basin NWR (3)
Santee NWR (4)
Botany Bay WMA
Mottled Duck Research Project
Lowcountry Initiative Conservation Easements
2009• 7 Easements• 3,200 Acres
131 Total Easements119,853 Total Acres
2009• 7 Easements• 3,200 Acres
131 Total Easements119,853 Total Acres
Bluff Unit
Santee NWR
Cuddo Unit
Timber Island Fields Unit
ACE Basin NWR
Mottled Duck Research Project
Louisiana’s Vanishing Coastal Wetlands:
Trouble in Sportsman’s Paradise
Gulf Coast Oil Spill
Lesser Scaup Concentrations
Redheads
www.ducks.org/oilspill
Goal of 15 million wintering waterfowl (22%).
Has lost 35% of coastal marsh (1.5 million acres) with annual loss of 16,000-25,000 acres.
Loss of interior freshwater and intermediate coastal marsh to sea level and altered hydrology.
Conserve 250,000 acres of foraging habitat on coastal prairie, slow or reverse coastal marsh loss; restore processes that sustain wetlands.
To date, DU has delivered 86,914 acres of enhanced, restored and protected habitat in the coastal zone of Louisiana.
Gulf Coast Wetlands
Migration Chronology for LA Coastal RegionMigration Chronology for LA Coastal Region
1,500,000 acres are already lost
LAKECHARLES LAFAYETTE
BATONROUGE
HOUMAHOUMA
NEWORLEANS
NEWORLEANS
LAKEPONTCHARTRAI
N
LAKEPONTCHARTRAI
N
BRETONSOUNDBRETONSOUND
GRANDISLE
GRANDISLE
MORGANCITY
MORGANCITY
59
1010
12
ATCHAFALAYABAY
ATCHAFALAYABAY
Louisiana’s Coastline, Year 2050
Elevated / Developed Wetlands
Land Creation Area
Forest
Marsh
Area of Predicted Loss
By 2050 despite restoration efforts 1,100 additional square miles of
Louisiana’s wetlands, an area the size of Rhode Island, will become
open water.
1950-20002000-2050
Fundamental Causes of Coastal Wetland Loss in Louisiana
Altered Hydrology – Human Origin Shipping and oil exploration canals
Main stem levee on Mississippi River
Alteration of natural processes Increased rates of subsidence and erosion
Decreased rate of sediment accretion
Salt water intrusion kills salt intolerant marsh vegetation
19951995
19681968 19781978
19881988
20022002
Beach Erosion
04.29.2008 True Color Satellite Image
What is DU doing in Coastal Louisiana?
Direct Delivery
Public Policy
Science
$15 million commitment
($14.1 million / 95%)
A small step in the right direction
Installation of Duck-Wing Terraces
Black Lake Terrace Field Design
Over 27 miles of terraces!
Black Lake Area – 1953
Black Lake Terrace Field
Policy is Critical
The rates of loss are unprecedented.
DU cannot do enough direct delivery to meet our mission.
Policy is critical to restore balance to the system.
Science guides our decisions.
“As long as the Mississippi River is flowing, there is hope”
Many competing interests with a stake in Coastal Louisiana
Navigation and commercial shipping
Commercial fishing industry
Commercial alligator industry
Oil and gas and related support industries
Agriculture – rice, cattle, sugar
Flood control
Recreational fishing and hunting, tourism
~1.5 million acres of essential waterfowl habitat is at risk!
The Bottom Line It is time to give our best effort towards saving this river and coast.
Direct delivery, policy and our supporters combine to make DU uniquely positioned to succeed here.
We are working closely with Louisiana and the Federal Government to restore this national treasure.
We have a plan and a role to play.
DU offers a portfolio of investments in the waterfowl resource, these are our conservation programs.
These programmatic investments pay dividends to the waterfowl resource.
Gifts to DU are investments in the future of waterfowl.
Embracing the fierceEmbracing the fierceurgency of now inurgency of now in
order to leave a legacyorder to leave a legacy
Life Sponsor $10,000 - $19,999
Diamond Life Sponsor $20,000 - $29,999
Sponsor in Perpetuity $30,000 - $39,999
Diamond Sponsor in Perpetuity $40,000 - $49,999
Heritage Sponsor $50,000 - $74,999
Diamond Heritage Sponsor $75,000 - $99,999
Benefactor Roll of Honor $100,000 - $249,999
Legacy Sponsor $250,000 - $499,999
Gold Legacy Sponsor $500,000 - $749,999
Platinum Legacy Sponsor $750,000 - $999,999
Diamond Legacy Sponsor $1,000,000 - $4,999,999
Conservation Pioneer $5,000,000 - $9,999,999
Waterfowl Patron $10,000,000 - $19,999,999
Wetlands Guardian $20,000,000+
Major Sponsor Commitment