waxlake_2014298

Good News For Wetlands

During a parley with our musical mates The Whiskey Bay Rovers, they shared this good news with us; a wonderful example o’ how things CAN work when ye actually DO something about the problem!

Have a look at this article and be sure to run the animation that shows land reclamation from 1987 through 2014 – and not just at the mouth o’ the delta, but inland too: Growing Land In The Atchafalaya Delta

usgs-land-loss-louisianaAs ye know, we are very dedicated ambassadors for the restoration and preservation o’ wetlands – and especially in Louisiana where so much damage has been done by humans in such a short period. Statistics about the land loss along the Gulf Coast are stated as being as much as a football field an HOUR – equivalent to more than the entire state o’ Delaware in less than a few decades! If ye look at a map o’ South Louisiana and count the places named as “lakes” that are open saltwater now, that’ll give ye an idea o’ how much land is underwater & lost in only the last 50-100 years! Just in the 1990s, South Louisiana accounted for an estimated 90% o’ ALL the coastal marsh loss across ALL the southern states. In fact we also read this week about the plight o’ the Blioxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw Band on Isle de Jean Charles being awarded funds to move their entire community inland to Schriever by 2017 – their traditional homeland has gone from 11 miles long by 5 miles wide to 2 miles long and a quarter mile wide – just since 1950.

The good news is there are people working on this problem – frequently shouting about it, getting wet, battling bureaucracy, cleaning up, planting…etc. – and it is having an affect. It seems small in the grand scheme o’ things, but it’s effective and that’s important.

Don’t be mislead, this isn’t a “Louisiana problem” or even just a “coastal state problem”, it’s everywhere. Everywhere there’s water; wetlands, swamp, marsh, lake, river… Ecosystems are under threat and, like the Bear said, only YOU can make a difference. Be mindful, look around ye, help out as yer able (even if it’s just spreading the word to yer “thousands o’ followers”). We all need fresh water – and salt water – for our survival.

[su_quote cite=”Edward Everett Hale”]I am only one. But still, I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.[/su_quote]

Similar Posts

  • Hoist the Mainsail!

    Avast me hearties – the next adventure is just over the horizon! NOLA Pyrate Week 2012 sails into New Orleans March 23 – April 1 for a gathering o’ Buccaneers, Corsairs, Privateers, Wenches, Doxies, Navvies, Land Lubbers, Musicians, Artisans…and anyone else in search o’ good food, good drink and good mates to share it with!…

  • Pyrates In The Mall?

    Seems there’s a new Pyratical shop in the Riverwalk Marketplace at the foot o’ Canal Street (New Orleans). Pirates Alley “Support Your Local Pirate Shop” – pirate tees for kids/adults, cool clothing, and shoes Find them on the “A” Level o’ the Riverwalk Marketplace, Suite #4 (bottom o’ Canal St. by the Ferry Port, next…

  • Scuttlebutt

    Avast mates…have an ear in this direction! There’s a rumour that 2017 will hold a new adventure into yet another Louisiana Community! It’s near New Orleans, has some interesting history, home to local celebrities, has a lovely Library or two (oi, we don’t just read, some o’ us even write!)… Likely happening the first Saturday o’…

  • Farewell Mikey

    Our good mate Mikey has sailed on (early morning of July 11, 2016)…a fine Gent, great Musician, Philosopher, honorary Pyrate (and maker o’ wonderful Chocolates at Southern Candy Company). We send our love, to his love, Kathy ‘Katy 9 Tales’ Connolly who was his partner for these many years. Mikey (aka Michael James Joseph), was too young…

  • New Orleans Krewe Of Pirates

    The New Orleans Krewe Of Pirates is the longest running, all Pyrate, Mardi Gras Krewe…and they intend to stay that way! O’ course there are always repairs to the ship, maintenance on the Bead Cannon and the ever growing expense o’ ammunition for said Cannon! To that end, the lads decided to do a little…