T’bonne businesses consider post-hurricane recovery plan
May 11, 2010Thursday, May 13
May 13, 2010Lafourche Parish seafood may be in danger due to the recent oil spill, but Nicholls State University is looking to protect wildlife and plants.
Dr. Quenton Fontenot, associate professor of biological sciences and coordinator of the marine and environmental biology graduate program, announced Monday the University Farm will be available to be used for a temporary, animal rehabilitation center.
University Administrators have told Louisiana Department of Wildlife the facility is available, and area veterinarians have been alerted that their voluntary assistance might be required.
Fontenot said the rehab area will include an arena barn as well as two 12-foot circular tanks suitable for marine life.
But Fontenot wants to protect Lafourche Parish’s green friends as well.
That’s why the Louisiana Native Plant Initiative, which operates in part at the Nicholls Farm, is also providing post-oil spill aid.
Fontenot said 3,000 mangrove plants stand ready for coastal restoration.
“Biology faculty and student volunteers will soon be making trips to the coast to retrieve plants, so that we can increase their abundance,” said Fontenot.
