Jeremy Henley

Louisiana’s coast has lost nearly 1,900 square miles of land since 1932, increasing risks for local communities, including New Orleans, to flood and become hurricane prone. Coastal restoration is more important than ever for the Louisiana residents and the local, state and national economy.

Jeremy Henley, a student at the University of New Orleans, has been in service with the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL) since 2009.

Since he started, Jeremy has helped restore dune habitats on Elmer’s Island and along the Cameron Shoreline, planted cypress trees along Bayou Segnette, restored bottomland hardwoods at the Louisiana Audubon Nature Center, planted mangrove trees on Fifi Island and re-established marsh at Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge.

Jeremy’s knowledge and studies also helped in assisting with research and reporting. After the 2010 oil spill released nearly 5 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, Jeremy acted as a volunteer leader, organizing and leading volunteers, providing information and interacting with the media in a time critical for the Louisiana wetlands.

Jeremy’s work with spill officials helped the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana to secure a work station inside the community center in Venice, Louisiana. Jeremy traveled weekly to Venice to provide information, perform site visits, monitor oiled wetlands, build partnerships and evaluate restoration opportunities.

Jeremy’s nominator for the Daily Point of Light Award, Natalie Snider, shares,

“during on-the-ground restoration projects, Jeremy’s enthusiasm and knowledge have complemented his undeterence in his volunteerism.”

Thanks Jeremy, for your dedication to our environment and Louisiana’s coastline.