In The News
America's WETLAND Foundation March Newsletter
By: America's WETLAND Foundation | 3.28.2012
RESTORE Act Advances!
On March 8th, the Senate approved legislation that would dedicate 80% of the fines for the gulf oil disaster to restoring the gulf ecosystem and economy. The RESTORE Act passed as an amendment to the Senate transportation bill by a vote of 76 to 22 after AWF advocates and other organizations pressed legislative leaders to take quick action. Differences between the House and Senate bill are being negotiated before being sent to the president for approval. "A healthy gulf ecosystem means a healthy economy, both regionally and nationally. Using the fines from the spill to restore the Gulf Coast region is the fair and right thing to do," said Valsin A. Marmillion, executive director of the America's WETLAND Foundation.
Coastal Unity Needed
Coastal counties in Alabama and Florida need to unite with other Gulf Coast communities to solve the major problems threatening the communities on the beaches and bays - especially escalating insurance rates. Speaking at an Orange Beach forum sponsored by the America's WETLAND Foundation (AWF), Michelle Kurtz of the Homeowners Insurance Initiative, All Churches Together, suggested regional commissions to study the insurance problems that have seen rates jump 300 to 400 percent higher than more inland communities as insurance companies have very small insurance zones to determine rates.
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Texas Coastal Leaders Honored
America's WETLAND Foundation recognizes outstanding individuals that exhibit a strong commitment to costal restoration. Through their work or volunteer activities, three texans were honored for their devotion of coastal issues: Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.: District 27; Sofia C. Benavides,County Commissioner Precinct 1, Cameron County, TX; and Rodney A. Kuchar, Jr. Savannah Oaks Ranch (pictured).
AWF and Hornets Team Up
New Orleans mascot Hugo the Hornet was welcomed as a new member of AWF's Estuarian team as he, Hornets' season ticket holders, Common Ground Relief and Entergy volunteers planted more than 900 cypress trees in a two-hour period on March 6. Several TV stations and newspapers covered the event, which took place at Wetlands Watchers Park in the Bonne Carrie Spillway.
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Coastal Restoration Night at the Hive!
On March 12th, the New Orleans Hornets hosted a Coastal Restoration Night at the Hive, when the Hornets took on the Charlotte Bobcats. AWF and the Estuarians staffed an information booth and fans were treated to Wetlands trivia and other entertainment throughout the night. At halftime, Entergy presented a $200,000 dollar check to the Foundation for its ongoing effort in raising awareness in coastal land loss.
Louisiana Classroom Presented $5,000 Prize
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On March 8th AWF presented a $5,000 award to 8 year-old Athena Marks and her third grade classroom at Jeff Elementary School in New Orleans. Athena's essay was chosen as the best of a batch of hundreds written by K-3 students who entered the "Keep your Eyes on the Prize" contest, sponsored by America's WETLAND Foundations as part of its 10th anniversary.
Facing The Elements
The National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRT) has spent more than a year considering how we can act and adapt - business and government together - to prosper through climate change. The result is Facing the Elements: Building Business Resilience in a Changing Climate, a three report series advising business and governments on coping with climate change from a business perspective.
Estys Attend Earth Fest 2012
The Estuarians attended Earth Fest 2012 on March 17 at the Audubon Zoo. The Estys entertained zoo visitors and talked about ways to save the environment.
Coming Up...
Next Stop, Avery Island...
The next "Blue Ribbon Resilient Communities" leadership forum, a project of the America's Energy Coast, will be held in St. Mary/New Iberia Parishes, Louisiana on April 11, 2012. For more information and to register to attend the free forum, please send an email with your full contact information to Dominick Maggio at dm@mcopr.com. The Foundation will also host its final two forum in New Orleans, LA. For more information on future forums please visit www.futureofthegulfcoast.org.
AWF Future Presentations
The Foundation will be presenting at the 9th Intecol Conference on Wetlands in June 2012, in Orlando, Florida.
AWF Sponsors Louisiana Blue Crab Run
The Louisiana Blue Crab run will be a 5k race benefiting the Louisiana Gulf Coast, and the America's Wetland Foundation. 100% of the proceeds will go to AWF to build up land that is being lost every day due to erosion. There will be a Crawfish and Crab boil at the end of the race along with music, special guests and Louisiana wildlife. Registration will be $30 for the 5K race and $20 for the one mile race.
The America's WETLAND Foundation manages the largest, most comprehensive public education campaign in Louisiana's history, raising public awareness of the impact of Louisiana's wetland loss on the state, nation and world. The America's Energy Coast initiative works to sustain the environmental and economic assets of the Gulf Coast region. The initiative is supported by a growing coalition of world, national and state conservation and environmental organizations and has drawn private support from businesses that see wetlands protection as a key to economic growth. For more information, visit www.americaswetland.com or www.futureofthegulfcoast.org.
America's WETLAND Foundation
365 Canal Place, Suite 1475 | New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 293-2610 or (866) 4WETLAND
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