NFWF grant winners give project updates
Planting the seeds of collaborative partners.
That was the goal at a mid-November luncheon for local supporters and beneficiaries of Mississippi Power’s environmental stewardship efforts.
“You’re here today because you’ve worked with us in the past,” Patrick Chubb, senior environmental specialist, told the group of 20 guests. “But the goal today is to challenge you to undertake bigger projects, work with more partners and think about more community impact and involvement.”
One of the ways the partners can grow the scope of their projects is by applying for a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Five Star Restoration Program grant.
These grants give financial assistance to support community-based wetland, riparian and coastal habitat restoration projects nationwide. From 2006 to 2013, Southern Company has provided nearly $2 million to fund Five Star projects across the company’s four state service territory.
At the luncheon, four 2012 grant recipients gave project updates on the work they accomplished in 2013.
Britton Jones with the Gulf Coast Community Design Studio is leading the restoration efforts of Bayou Auguste in East Biloxi. The GCCDS originally received a Five Star grant in 2010 and used the money to design the project’s master plan and begin the work. The 2012 grant is helping with Phase 4 of the project.
“We filled three 30-cubic yard dumpsters with trash and invasive species and then installed sediment controls along the bayou banks,” Jones said. “The results have been phenomenal. We’ve increased tidal marsh habitat that is the spawning ground for shrimp and numerous fish species.”
GCCDS is partnering with the Biloxi Public Works Department for the majority of the earthwork and Nicholls Elementary School science teachers are incorporating the revitalized bayou into their lesson plans.
“We’re involved with Biloxi Public Schools for water quality experiments and science nights,” Jones said. “This is a great place for teachers to bring their classes for a field trip.”
Jill Cleaver of Keep Pensacola Beautiful updated the group on its project to establish a living shoreline area for community education opportunities.
With the assistance of more than 15 community partners, Keep Pensacola Beautiful volunteers collected, bagged and placed 136 tons of oyster shells from four local restaurants on Bayou Texar. The volunteers put in more than 5,000 hours on the project.
“We built the partnership and it’s still growing,” Cleaver said. “Our community members are excited about making a difference with the environment.”
Chubb closed out the luncheon, which is usually held in Atlanta in January but was postponed this year because of the polar vortex, with a call to action to the South Mississippi attendees.
“We want to help launch potential collaborations for future grant opportunities,” Chubb said. “Please introduce yourselves to everyone in this room. You have a lot in common and can figure out ways to expand your influence and increase your impact on our environment.”