Disaster Geographies Students Aid NOLA Wetlands Restoration
Ten SUNY Oneonta students flew to New Orleans for a hands-on learning experience in wetlands restoration, continuing a conservation service-learning tradition of the Geography and Environmental Sustainability (GES) department.
Wendy, Bryan & Rachel
Volunteering with organizations Common Ground Relief, Glass Half Full, Glassroots and the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, Red Dragons donned boots and gloves as they collected trash and glass, weeded, and planted and potted trees in the wetlands. The trip is part of the Disaster Geographies course taught by Associate Professor Wendy Lascell, who accompanied the students and was joined by Sustainability Coordinator and GES adjunct instructor Rachel Kornhauser and GES Assistant Professor Bryan Collins.
“My favorite part of the trip was the people,” said Solo Diedhiou, a Childhood Education (1-6) major. “The people we met from the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana were inspiring. It was refreshing to be around people who are hopeful, optimistic and pragmatic when it comes to environmental challenges and solutions. These people are young and passionate about dedicating their life to the greater good.”
Volunteerism in the Wetlands
Traveling to a marsh, students spent half a day planting bald cypress trees through a process that involved riding an air boat, trudging through deep mud and digging holes in the waterlogged ground. Once planted, students encased the base of the trees with an eco-friendly plastic to protect them from nutrias, a large, semi-aquatic rodent that is an invasive species to the area. The students’ work to safely plant the trees in the area will be valuable for years to come because the trees will anchor the soil and protect the wetlands from storm surges and land erosion.
Nolan, Solo & Brookelyn
My personal goals revolve around wanting to make a difference, and so this experience really helped me to feel accomplished and motivated me to want to do more in the future.”
Brookelyn Jaeckel
“I really enjoyed planting the cypress trees in the wetlands; it felt amazing to know I was helping the city of New Orleans become more resilient,” said Brookelyn Jaeckel, an Environmental Sustainability major. “I would love to be a part of something like that in the future that includes field work and a variety of different tasks every day. My personal goals revolve around wanting to make a difference, and so this experience really helped me to feel accomplished and motivated me to want to do more in the future.”
Another day of the trip saw students potting maple trees and weeding already potted trees, gaining insight into the behind-the-scenes efforts at tree nurseries, and an in-depth look at the work vital to the area’s survival and reforestation.
Students also spent time at a recycling warehouse, filling 30-pound sacks with sand and recycled glass. Once filled, the sacks were added to a 40-bag “super sack” to be used as a buffer against storm surges, helping rebuild the coast and slow down land erosion.
I am inspired to help others and would love to be part of a volunteer group in the future."
Nolan Gryzlo
“This experience has motivated me to participate in more volunteering efforts,” said Nolan Gryzlo, who has a dual major in Environmental Sustainability and Geography. “I am inspired to help others and would love to be part of a volunteer group in the future. As a senior in college, this trip has given me more ideas of what I could do for my future career.”
Red Dragons also took on the task of collecting trash from a large pile of oyster shells donated from restaurants, an effort that further contributes to a natural buffer against storm surges after the oysters are trash free, cleaned and bagged. This type of hands-on experience provided students an opportunity to contribute to an environmental impact that services the local community as well.
Touring Historic New Orleans
When they weren’t volunteering, students continued to mix education with recreation as they explored New Orleans to experience some of the city’s rich history and traditions. They visited the Backstreet Cultural Museum, the Whitney Plantation Museum, received a voodoo tour, saw a second line parade and the Mardi Gras Indians, toured a sugar plantation and attended an NBA game.
Students also had some down time to explore Bourbon Street, the French Quarter, the Garden District and the Lower Ninth Ward, observing how Hurricane Katrina’s impact still affects the neighborhood today. Almost every night, students and faculty enjoyed each other’s company, making and eating dinner together at the house they stayed in.
“It was great learning the unique culture of New Orleans and to experience events, like the second line parade we went to,” said Jaeckel. “The group, all the students and the professors, were amazing. We all had a really great time!”
