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Green Infrastructure

CCA Louisiana & conservation partners build "floating islands"

April 17, 2015


Coastal Conservation Association’s Building Conservation Trust, in partnership with Shell Oil Company, Entergy, Lafourche Parish, Martin Ecosystems and local students from Holy Rosary Catholic School and Golden Meadow Middle School will join together to help rebuild the coastline off of Louisiana Highway 1 between Fourchon and Grand Isle. This event is held in honor of Earth Day 2015, which is April 22 each year.

On Friday, April 17th and Saturday April 18th, project volunteers and students from various schools, will build approximately 6,000 square feet of new wetland island habitat and place them in the water just north of LA 1.  Each 8 by 25 foot island will hold 400 plants, and will be placed end-to-end and anchored to the water bottom. Roughly 12,000 native plants, including mangrove, seashore paspalum and smooth cord grass, will be installed.  The “floating islands” technology allows these plants to take root in the water bottom while providing protection to LA 1 from the natural elements.

“Highway 1 is the only road to and from Grand Isle, and the marsh surrounding the highway has been devastated by the effects of storms and coastal erosion, leaving it very vulnerable” said Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolph said.  “This project will create new marsh for the area, and provide much needed protection for the highway.  At the same, we will create great fish habitat that can be reached by shore-based anglers looking for redfish, trout, drum and other species”

This is the third project of this type spearheaded by CCA and Shell.  The first project was Phase I of the Isle deJean Charles Project in Point Aux Chene, completed in 2011.  Phase II of the Isle deJean Charles project followed in 2013.  In all, nearly 12,000 square feet of new marsh was created to helping fortify marshland that had been devastated by years of erosion and storms.  It was the first project to use this new technology, developed by Martin EcoSystems, in an open-water marine environment application.

“Shell considers Louisiana home and takes pride in its work to enhance our natural resources and protect the environment while striving to meet the growing demand for domestic energy,” said Dwight Johnston, Shell Deep Water’s Vice President of Health, Safety and Environment. “Shell is proud to partner with CCA’s La 1 Floating Islands Project, and the success of the first two projects proves that a holistic approach to protecting the environment where we work is possible.”

Funding for the project is provided by CCA Building Conservation Trust, Shell Oil Company, Entergy, Lafourche Parish, Martin Ecosystems and private donations by CCA members. The total project cost is expected to be approximately $200,000.

“This project is a perfect microcosm of what it’s going to take to build a more resilient coast – government, business and the community working hand in hand to implement innovative solutions that protect critical infrastructure and restore vital marshland,” said Phillip May, president and CEO of Entergy’s Louisiana utilities. “We owe it to our customers, our shareholders and our employees to do everything we can to improve the resilience and sustainability of our coastal communities.”

CCA and their partners have been so pleased with past project results, they decided to undertake this new challenge between Fourchon and Grand Isle.

“The results of the first effort in Point Aux Chene have been remarkable,” said CCA Louisiana Habitat Chairman John Walther.  “The islands we created there have outperformed the natural marsh, and have been more resilient to the effects of storms, two brutal winters, and continuous wave action.  The opportunity to bring this same effort to the Grand Isle area was a no-brainer for CCA.”

FOX 8 WVUE New Orleans News, Weather, Sports, Social

Official Press Release

Filed Under: Erosion Control Tagged With: Coastal Conservation, Community Outreach, Green Infrastructure, habitat conservation, Innovative Solutions, Public-Private Partnership, shoreline protection, Sustainability

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Baton Rouge, LA 70815
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Copyright © 2022 · Martin Ecosystems

Chad Martin

Chad Martin

Director of Manufacturing

“It is important that every customer is happy with their purchase. I will do what I can to make sure they are satisfied with the end result.”

A founding partner of Martin Ecosystems, Chad earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business with a minor in Finance from Montana State University-Billings. Prior to joining the company, he was a residential and commercial building contractor for nearly a decade.

As Director of Manufacturing, Chad’s duties include overseeing product manufacturing, purchasing, inventory, packaging and shipping. He is also responsible for Martin Ecosystems quality control and assurance program as well as corporate safety. He also coordinates and oversees all of Martin Ecosystems’ installations.

When not at work, Chad enjoys spending his time hunting and fishing.

Melanie Martin

Melanie Martin

Director of Finance and Administration

“I want to be a part of something that is bigger than myself and allows me to make a difference for future generations.”

Working alongside her family to protect and rebuild the Louisiana coastline was the reason Melanie chose to become a partner in starting Martin Ecosystems. She wanted to be a part of the movement to protect and rebuild the marshes in which she spent so much time as a child.

In her current role, she is in charge of the company’s financial operations. Before entering the financial world, Melanie received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her art and design background allows her to create specified drawings for products and job proposals.

Nicole Waguespack

Nicole Martin Waguespack

President

“I believe in doing things right the first time, being honest, and delivering what we say we are going to deliver. I want customers to be satisfied not only with our products, but also our level of service. I think customers appreciate that.”

Martin Ecosystems was founded on a desire to protect and restore the Louisiana coast, and Nicole has been a partner in the company since its beginning in 2008. A graduate of Louisiana State University, Nicole’s science background allows insight into how Martin Ecosystems products work, as well as what it takes to bring them to market. Nicole’s primary responsibility is marketing and advertising, yet she is also involved in product development and research coordination. She has been instrumental in expanding the product lines into new markets, including waste water and stormwater management. Outside of the office, Nicole loves spending time with her husband and daughters. It is her hope that Martin Ecosystems products will provide her children the opportunity to grow up experiencing the remarkable beauty of the Louisiana coast—just as she did.

Ted Martin

Ted Martin

Owner, Founder

“It is not always about making the sale, but developing relationships with those individuals who have the same goal of protecting our environment.”

Establishing and managing businesses is nothing new to Ted, whose history includes a number of successful companies with millions in annual sales. So when he saw the opportunity to manufacture and sell a product that could play a key role in coastal restoration—and work with his family to do it—he knew it was the right choice.

Having earned a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering at Louisiana State University, Ted applies his knowledge as a member of the product development team. He is involved in every aspect of the business, including product design, implementing sales strategies, managing customer relations and product promotion.

Ted credits his father for Martin Ecosystem’s philosophy of exceptional customer service which is clearly evident throughout the company. He hopes that his children will continue this legacy for many years to come.

Jason Martin

Jason Martin

Director of Operations

“I enjoy working with our customers every day. My philosophy is to treat people like I would like to be treated—with honesty and integrity.”

Jason studied business management at Montana State University-Billings before starting Martin Ecosystems with his family in 2008. His prior experience in project management and commercial sales provided him with the skills to manage the sales department at Martin Ecosystems. Jason oversees product sales, customer service, and distributor relations. He also enjoys pitching in from time to time to assist with installations, which allows him to gain additional insight into what the customer needs. Spending most of his free time fishing and hunting gives Jason an appreciation of the outdoors. Over time he has witnessed the erosion and loss of family land in South Louisiana and strongly believes BioHaven® Floating Breakwaters, EcoShield® and EcoBale would reverse the trend of Louisiana’s land loss.

 
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