Leeville Reef build
Louisiana’s Coastal Crisis
Louisiana’s coastal wetlands are disappearing, posing a severe environmental and human crisis. Over the past century, about 2,000 square miles of wetlands — 25% of Louisiana’s landmass in 1932 — have been converted into open water by natural causes and human activities. Rising sea levels, intensified storms and subsidence continue to eat away at our fragile coastline.
Since 2010, sea levels along the Gulf of Mexico have risen by an average of half an inch annually, with projections estimating an increase of 14 to 18 inches in the next three decades. This unprecedented rise, coupled with intensifying storm events, threatens millions of lives in southeast Louisiana. The land loss continues at a staggering rate, equivalent to a football field every 100 minutes. Without action, Louisiana risks losing an additional 1,100 square miles — an area the size of Rhode Island — within 30 years.
The Impact on Leeville
One place where this devastation is evident is in Leeville, a waterfront town at the end of Bayou Lafourche that was founded as a place of refuge: The town was settled by survivors of an 1893 hurricane that killed half the residents of Cheniere Caminada. Leeville rapidly grew into a thriving village, with cotton fields, citrus groves and a bountiful seafood industry.
A century later, much of the town is gone. As much as 80% of Leeville has washed away.
What is left stands as a powerful symbol of resilience and determination, representing the struggles faced by many coastal communities across Louisiana. Leeville’s story is a poignant reminder of what is at stake, making it a fitting location for bold restoration initiatives aimed at preserving Louisiana’s coast, its culture and its heritage for future generations.
In February 2025, CRCL and its partners implemented the Leeville living shoreline project during the week of the Super Bowl. The project restored critical coastal wetlands damaged by Hurricane Ida and supported overall ecosystem health and resilience by creating fish and wildlife habitat, sustaining productive fisheries, and improving water quality. Inland communities benefited from the additional layer of storm protection, proximity to recreational fishery opportunities, and the protection of the culturally significant community.
A Collaborative Effort for Coastal Restoration
CRCL was proud to partner with Force Blue, NFL Green, the New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee, and the Chefs Brigade — an alliance of Gulf Coast restaurants, chefs, and caterers — for a transformative coastal restoration project to protect Leeville. Other project partners included the Lafourche Parish government, NFL sponsor Verizon, and Super Bowl LIX Host Committee sponsors Entergy, Dow Chemical, and Venture Global. Additional support came from Port Fourchon, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, NOAA, the state Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, and the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program.
During Super Bowl week in New Orleans this February, our team, partners, and over 170 volunteers constructed a living shoreline along the waters at the Leeville boat launch and fishing pier. The image above captured low tide at the location designated for the Leeville living shoreline project. This shoreline build consisted of an oyster reef and marsh grasses, forming a natural barrier to reduce erosion, absorb storm surge, and provide habitat for wildlife.
This project was a beginning, not an ending. CRCL remains committed to continuing its work in Leeville. We hope you’ll be part of future phases of our restoration project there. Sign up here to stay informed on our upcoming efforts.
Restoring Leeville, One Reef at a Time
By investing in nature-based solutions like living shorelines, we slow land loss, protect vulnerable communities and preserve the cultural and economic heritage of Louisiana’s coast. This project will not only restore portions of Leeville’s shoreline but will also serve as a beacon of hope and action for other communities facing similar challenges.
Join us in supporting this vital work and ensuring a more sustainable future for Leeville and all of Louisiana’s coast. Together, we can rebuild our shores, one shell at a time.
Check out our latest reef build
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