LOOKS BRIGHT: DHS senior helps future with wetlands work

Published 11:45 pm Friday, September 26, 2014

By Stephen Hemelt
L’Observateur

NORCO — Courtney Pfalzgraf said it is horrifying to see how much people litter, throwing things on the ground like it was a trash can.

The senior at Destrehan High School shares that emotion with many. Unlike many, she decided to do something about it.

Pfalzgraf helped organize 44 volunteers, mostly students representing five schools, and collected 15 huge bags of litter this month at Wetland Watchers Park in Norco.

Volunteers in Pfalzgraf’s effort, dubbed “Save the Wetlands,” were also responsible for planting over 100 cypress trees grown through the LSU Coastal Roots Seedlings Project.

Dedicated by St. Charles Parish Government in 2006, Wetland Watchers Park is a grass roots effort to transform 28 acres in the Bonnet Carre Spillway into an educational and family oasis featuring nature trails, outdoor classrooms, a marsh overlook, learning pads and plenty of benches to rest along the way.

Teacher and Project Coordinator Barry Guillot said events such as Pfalzgraf’s senior project offer an opportunity for people to volunteer to better their community and environment.

“This not only provides a clean place for families to visit, but it also makes it a healthier ecosystem for the animals that live there,” he said. “Courtney’s group also planted cypress trees that help to anchor the soil from washing away and extend the habitat for the animals that make that area their home.”

Guillot said you can’t put a price on the awareness about wetland issues Pfalzgraf’s event created, saying it allowed community members to learn more reasons wetlands are of value besides recreation purposes.

Pfalzgraf said she chose to conduct her senior project on saving the wetlands because the region’s natural beauty is worth preserving.

“In middle school, (Wetland Watchers Park) was the first place I got to really see the Louisiana wetlands and learn about their importance,” she said. “I am proud that through my project, we were able to make a difference by helping the wetlands even if it was small. Maybe it will inspire one of the kids that volunteered to hold their own project.”

It is a sentiment Guillot shares. “Another great benefit (from Pfalzgraf’s project) is that many young people take part in these events,” he said. “These are our future decision makers. If they understand how important wetlands are to our state and the nation, maybe they can take action to preserve the wetland areas that remain along the Louisiana coastline.”

Pfalzgraf is the daughter of Angelle Juster and Paul Pfalzgraf. She wants to attend Southeastern Louisiana University and study forensics.