We KARE (Katrina Agricultural & Coastal Resources Experience)

What are we in need of?
The majority of the Greater New Orleans area is still
devastated from the blow of Katrina. Many of the affected
areas are still in the same condition they were in 9 months
ago with the hurricane hit. Most of the volunteers in and
around the city of New Orleans are assisting in the gutting
and rebuilding of residential areas and homes, in addition
providing much needed general supplies and medical relief.
At the same time, the coastal resources and agriculture
industries in Louisiana suffered tremendous losses.
The infamous bayous are increasingly saline, as not only did
these waterways receive the salty waters of Hurricane Katrina,
but the New Orleans area is now in a drought as well.
Many operations lost greenhouses, buildings, boats, and supplies
necessary to produce income in addition to their homes.
Jobs and revenues from wetlands and agricultural products are
crucial to the success of a rebuilt New Orleans, an issued
addressed by KARE.

What can be done?
The LSU AgCenter in Metairie (a suburb of New Orleans) is
organizing grants and volunteers to rebuild aquaculture systems
that will help reestablish fish, shrimp, and crab operations
along the Gulf Coast, along with projects that support the
wetlands and bayous. Volunteers can help repair greenhouses,
clean up at City Park, install pumps for freshwater, and
catch/grow/release Gambusia fish that help control mosquitoes
and the diseases they spread. Other projects include harvesting
citrus and seafood for local producers, clean their facilities
and structures, and help get businesses and operations back
online by providing much needed general labor for the community.
Check out the projects from the main menu on the left.

We are also partnering with Operation Blessing (www.ob.org) in
Slidell to help with the housing work orders, such as demolition,
sheet rock, and roofing.

Who can help on the projects?
We are forming groups of individuals 18 years or older, mostly
students or members of the academic community. As space allows,
anyone is welcome to join a group. Friends and family are welcome
to come as well.

No background experience is needed. Jobs on each project varies
and may include things such as cleaning debris, painting, planting
wetland plants, releasing mosquito fish into abandoned pools, assist
in harvesting produce, and building small structures. We provide
any tools or supplies for the worksites. There is a high demand for
teams with experience in:

Greenhouse building and repair
Aquaculture
Extensive Tree Removal

And it gets even better...
New Orleans should be a great experience for everyone, despite the
nature of the work, and we want to make volunteering easy for you.
Besides, work hard, learn hard, play hard. After spending most of
the day working at the project site, we have some more leisurely
activities to relax with.

First, we will spend some time visiting the most devastated areas of
the city, such as Lakeview, Gentilly, and the Lower Ninth Ward..
We will stop near the levee breaks to talk about why the levees broke
where they did, why the water flooded the areas it did, and the role
of the government in the aftermath. There are a lot of issues that
don't always come to mind when planning to rebuild a city. The most
important part of this is to experience the full impact and we would
like you to feel comfortable talking about the issues with family and
friends when you return home. Feel free to ask questions, whether it
is serious or random.

Then there is the life of the city: the French Quarter, the Garden
District, Uptown. There will be time to plan during the week to make
trips into downtown New Orleans and experience the culture there.
Many of the shops are reopened and appreciate the business. In the
words of a 'Nawlins native' - "Thank you for spending your money
in our city." Tax dollars will be vital to rebuilding the
communities, and besides, who couldn't use a pound of pralines
or great T-shirt?

Please be aware, Operation Blessing has a midnight curfew, thus we
would need to leave downtown around 11 pm to return for the night.
Out of respect for said curfew, any individuals wishing to stay out
past this curfew will be required to overnight at a hostel at
their own expense (approximately $25). Please notify me as far in
advance as possible (Sunday night of arrival at the latest) to
make arrangements.

So how do I get involved?
It is easiest to make a group or join a group. I will coordinate
the transportation, help designate a departing location, provide
instructions and directions, and am extremely accessible by phone
(Try the office at 504-838-1170). The website will be updated with
information about the groups for each week and individuals will be
able to join those groups on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Please check out the What to Expect and look into signing up for
a trip. Please contact me with any questions you might have. It's
a one-woman show, so I really appreciate your patience. Thanks!!!

Amanda J. Hardesty
Volunteer Coordinator
LSU Sea Grant -
6640 Riverside Drive, Suite 200
Metaire, Louisiana 70003-7110
Office Number - (504) 838-1170
hardesty@lsu.edu
Cell Phone - (513) 319-5918

michelle emailed mark @ mschexnayder@agctr.lsu.edu is the contact for now because Amanda Hardesty is out of town for awhile. Mark is the next aval person to contact