Woodlands Trail and Park, Inc.

COOPERATIVE CONSERVATION CASE STUDY

Conserving Southeastern Louisiana's bottomland hardwoods

Location: South-Central/South-West Region: Louisiana

Project Summary: As an American Heritage Rivers “Keystone” projects for Louisiana, Woodlands Trail and Park, Inc. is uniting the river communities of Orleans and Plaquemines Parish with a series of greenways.

First Grade Students from Belle Chasse Primary School explore their "outdoor classroom" along Woodlands Trail - America's Wetland Birding Trail.

Resource Challenge

The project’s geographical focus is a 10,000-acre peninsula formed by the Mississippi River in Orleans and Plaquemines Parishes. This area, previously referred to as “Cypress Swamps” on the British Army map of 1815, provides the wetland habitat to abundant wildlife including an extended family of bald eagles. The Lower Coast Algiers/English Turn/Belle Chasse area is being pressed and stressed by ever-expanding urbanization and development. Connection of greenway corridors in this low-lying area is vital to preserve the habitat for thousands of Migratory birds as well as serving as a “natural sponge” for storm runoff. Trails within these greenway corridors will provide access to a grouping of World War II Ammunition Magazines in Plaquemines Parish and ruins of the largest Sugar Mill and Plantation in Orleans Parish.

Examples of Key Partners

American Heritage Rivers Initiative, Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program, Library of Congress – Veteran’s Oral History Project, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, LSU – T. Harry Williams Center for Oral History, Mayor’s Office of Economic Development; Office of Environmental Affairs, Mississippi River Basin Alliance, Mississippi River Trail Organization, National Park Service, Rivers, Trails, Conservation program, Our Lady of Holy Cross College, Plaquemines Parish Government, Regional Planning Commission and others

Major contributors have included Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, ConocoPhillips, Chevron Oronite, Entergy, Freeport-McMoRan Foundation, Wal-Mart Foun-dation, Sam’s Club Foundation and others.

Results and Accomplishments

Woodlands Trail and Park has successfully worked with local, regional and national partners to gain recognition and support for planning for smart growth in one of our regions last stands of bottomland hardwoods and preserve greenspace for the use of future generations.

Woodlands Trail and Park has been included in the Master Plans for both Orleans and Plaquemines Parish
6.8 miles of greenway corridor have been dedicated by Ordinance to Woodlands Trail and Park within a 608-acres tract of government owned bottomland hardwood forest
Acquisition of 115 acres of bottomland hardwood forest to connect to initial dedicated greenway corridor

Innovation/Highlight

Woodlands Trail and Park, Ins. is "Creating a Legacy" for future generations by being the first regional greenways project in Louisiana.

Project Contact

Katie Brasted
President
Woodlands Trail and Park, Inc.

(504) 433-4000
woodlandstrail@aol.com

Website: www.woodlandstrail.com

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