Words by Tess Becker
The state bird of Louisiana is the brown pelican and in recent years the bird has seen a decline in population due to things like habitat loss and pollution. To address this, local scientists and researchers have been working on barrier island restoration projects to give the birds a place to live.
The projects are starting to see progress and restoring a bit of the brown pelican habitat in Louisiana.
“In 2002, we had 30 brown pelican colonies in Louisiana. By 2010, we were down to 22, and as we stand here today, there’s only nine left in Louisiana,” Todd Baker, a biologist overseeing barrier island restoration projects for the state's Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, said. “And of those nine, three have been recently restored and three are under design (for restoration.)”
While the main effort is restoring the state’s national bird, the efforts will help other equally threatened colonial waterbirds, serving as nesting grounds for them as well.
The islands, which tend to be free of natural predators like coyotes because of their isolation, are free of birds for much of the year, Baker explained. But the nesting birds make them home during spring and summer months.
The pelicans were added to the endangered species list in 1970. Concerted efforts eventually brought them back from the brink in 2007, but coastal erosion and aforementioned habitat loss have continued threatening them.
Charity check-in
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
The Women Invested to Save Earth Fund. This organization helps support underrepresented and underfunded Black, indigenous, and women of color-led organizations across the world. Find out more and support them here.
Collective Sun. They help nonprofits get outfitted with solar power capabilities. Check them out here.
Florida Bicycle Association. An organization that helps mobilize people and promote greener living and safer biking. Find out more.
