Grand Cote NWR Enhancement – Marksville, Louisiana
MARKSVILLE, La., October 12, 2010 – At the southern end of the Mississippi Flyway, Ducks Unlimited dedicated a wetlands restoration project at Grand Cote National Wildlife Refuge to Dr. L. J. Mayeux’s service and commitment to waterfowl conservation. The project will provide wintering habitat for waterfowl
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| L.J. and Roseada Mayeux pose for photos with the dedication sign at Grand Cote NWR. |
and opportunities for waterfowl hunting and other wildlife-oriented recreation as well as environmental education.
“This site, within two miles of Dr. Mayeux’s home, is particularly fitting to honor him, because he was instrumental in making the project a reality,” Bob Dew, Ducks Unlimited manager of conservation programs, said.
A project in Saskatchewan was dedicated last year to Mayeux, a life-long conservationist from Louisiana. Dedication of the Grand Cote NWR project completes Ducks Unlimited’s tribute to Mayeux’s continental commitment to conservation.
“Waterfowl depend on quality habitat on their northern breeding grounds and their Louisiana wintering grounds, and both regions are experiencing dramatic habitat loss,” Mike Benge, DU volunteer chairman of the Mayeux tribute events, said. “Because L. J. has dedicated his life to ducks, which depend on both ends of the flyway, we believe it’s fitting to have this “round-trip” tribute.”
“Dr. L. J. Mayeux, widely known across DU as “Dr. Duck” is a consummate example of the passion and commitment of the DU volunteer. He has held virtually every volunteer position in DU, starting as a Marksville, Louisiana, committee member in 1980,” David Schuessler, DU director of volunteer and fundraising, said.
The Grand Cote NWR project area consists of reforested sloughs and bayous replanted in 1992. Enhancements will improve water management capabilities on 1200 acres of a green tree reservoir.
“Adding water management capability to these units will improve its value to waterfowl, which is a high priority for DU, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the state of Louisiana and many of our other conservation partners,” Dew said.
DU is pleased to have this opportunity to honor and thank Dr. Mayeux for his years of service and support of our conservation work. In addition, DU recognizes that this conservation success at Grand Cote NWR would not have been possible without the generous support of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant and DU volunteers and supporters in Louisiana.
Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 12 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow, and forever.
Andi Cooper
601-206-5463
acooper@ducks.org