The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

A redfish caught off Louisiana's coast © Jay Harrod/TNC

Oyster reefs provide valuable habitat for a host of marine species, including popular game species, like this redfish.

Building oyster reefs for wildlife and people. In April 2010, before the explosion at the Deepwater Horizon oil rig and the ensuing oil spill, The Nature Conservancy, working with partners, began restoring 3.4 miles of oyster reefs off the coast of Louisiana that border some 350 acres of marshland. The Conservancy resumed the work in the fall of 2010 and plans to complete the work by the end of 2011.

Funding for the project is being provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The restoration sites are at Grand Isle and St. Bernard Marsh. (The Conservancy is also working to restore oyster reefs at Vermilion Bay in Louisiana. Learn more.)

Building a Reef

To build the oyster reefs at Grand Isle and St. Bernard Marsh, the Conservancy contracted with Coastal Environments, Inc., to construct interlocking triangular structures made of welded steel with space for mesh bags of oyster shells – a technique proven to be highly successful at the Conservancy's Mad Island Marsh Preserve in Texas. Once in place, these artificial reefs come alive as oyster larvae attach to the structures and grow.

The project is also boosting the local economy by creating or maintaining 57 jobs – particularly important in these areas hit hard by hurricanes Katrina and Ike. NOAA provided over $4 million in Recovery Act Funding to the Conservancy for these projects as well as funding for seven other coastal restoration projects across the nation. 

Monitoring Results 

Louisiana State University has developed a scientific plan to monitor both the short- and long-term success of this project as measured by reef establishment, shoreline changes and improved habitat for other marine species.

Our Partners

Our partners at Grand Isle and St. Bernard Marsh include:

• NOAA 
• Coastal Environments, Inc. 
• Louisiana State University
• Landowners  
  • Biloxi Marsh Lands Corp. 
  • Caminada Cove LLC 
  • Delacroix Corp. 
  • ExxonMobil
  • Loop Realty
• Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
• Louisiana Department of Natural Resources
• Jefferson Parish Gov.
• St. Bernard Parish Gov.
• Grand Isle Port Commission
• Town of Grand Isle