The planting of 175 acres of wetlands in Bayou d'Inde, located in Lake Charles, Louisiana was completed from a remediation project begun in 2015. After placing 1.8 billion pounds of soil to reach a sediment elevation where plants would survive, approximately 120,000 smooth cordgass (Spartina alterniflora) plus, which are native to the Louisiana coast, were sustainably harvested and transplanted by hand to Bayou d'Inde. Hand planting was accomplished on foot and by airboat. These high quality wetlands not only protect our fragile coastlines from extreme weather events, but are now home to a number of animal species pictured here including the burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia), painted bunting (Passerina ciris), wood ducks (Aix sponsa) and the brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis).

Wildlife photo credits - Bill Goulet, Westlake senior environmental engineer, 38+ year employee and avid wildlife photographer.