Office of Coastal Management

State Presents America's Wetland

The Campaign to Save Coastal Louisiana

Baton Rouge—The state of Louisiana today presented the plan for "America's Wetland...the Campaign to Save Coastal Louisiana", a national campaign to make the public aware of Louisiana's coastal land loss and the value of its coast to the rest of the nation and the world.

The campaign has two core themes: World Ecological Significance, focusing on the role of Louisiana's coastal wetlands in species life cycle and as critical habitat for wildlife, and the need for conservation and stewardship of this productive ecosystem; and Economic and Energy Security, focusing on the role of the wetlands in the nation's energy supply, as a key transportation network for world markets, and as one of America's main sources of seafood.

The campaign plan is an effort to gain public support for the billions of dollars in Federal funds and state resources needed to restore Louisiana's coast and to sustain its values, both economic and environmental.

"This campaign is one of the most important ways we can get the public and Congress to support our efforts to restore and prevent further loss of these wetlands," Governor M.J. "Mike" Foster, Jr. said. "More than 80% of the nation's offshore oil and gas comes through our coastal wetlands. We're glad to provide this service to the nation and, unlike some other states, are willing to accept and address the consequences of offshore exploration and production. However, the nation needs to know that these wetlands protect the infrastructure that supports that energy supply, and we're losing them at a tremendous rate.

"If we were losing land near Washington, D.C. at the rate of 35 square miles a year, I think the problem would have already been addressed," Foster said.

Val Marmillion of Pacific Visions was contracted by the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources to develop the campaign plan for the state in response to recommendations made by the Governor's Committee on the Future of Coastal Louisiana. In its report to the governor released in February, the committee urged the state to develop and implement a campaign to gain public awareness and support for the commitment necessary from the state and Congress to restore Louisiana's coast.

"One of the challenges of this campaign plan was to create a name for Louisiana's coastal wetlands that would resonate with the rest of the nation," Marmillion said. "Through focus groups held in Louisiana and in Philadelphia, ‘America's Wetland' emerged as the right name. The focus group in Philadelphia made it clear that they considered this an "American" problem, not just a Louisiana one. They were angry and embarrassed that they knew nothing about it and felt the Federal government should take responsibility for fixing it, since the benefits for the rest of the nation are so great."

According to Marmillion, special attention will be focused here in the state on building awareness and pride in how important Louisiana is to the rest of the nation and the world. Strategies within the state include establishing an America's Wetland Trail and designating America's Wetland festivals.

"The campaign is something the citizens of this state can embrace and feel good about. It has the potential to not only raise consciousness about the coast, but to instill pride in Louisiana," Marmillion said.

The plan sets late summer as the goal to launch the first part of the campaign. Because ongoing support is needed for the large amount of funds and resources required to restore Louisiana's coast, the state plans a sustained campaign effort over the next few years.

 PowerPoint Presentation — Campaign to Save Louisiana: Strategic Public Awareness Campaign (9.02 MB)

Editors: For more information, call La. Dept. of Natural Resources Sidney Coffee at 225-342-4844 or Phyllis Darensbourg at 225-342-8955.