1. Environmental Education
Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program, BTNEP
Alma Robichaux, Education/Outreach Coordinator

2. BTNEP Program Area – Barataria-Terrebonne Estuary Systems

3. BTNEP Area includes 16 parishes
Ascension Pointe Coupee
Assumption St. Charles
Iberia St. James
Iberville St. John the Baptist
Jefferson St. Martin
Lafourche St. Mary
Orleans Terrebonne
Plaquemines West Baton Rouge

4. House Bill 111
HB 111 Original 2017 Regular Session Bishop Abstract: Requires instruction in litter prevention and awareness for public school students in kindergarten through grade five. Proposed law requires instruction in litter prevention and awareness for public school students in kindergarten through grade five. Provides that such instruction shall be integrated into the existing science curriculum and may include instructional materials created and developed for students in La. Requires public school governing authorities to adopt rules and regulations necessary to implement proposed law. (Adds R.S. 17:267 and 3996(B)(44))

5. Bayou lafourche cleanup
Annually

7. Comparison to last years
Category
2012
(# of items)
2013
2014
2015
2017
Shoreline/Recreational
33,115
19,892
24,381
22,409
12,729
Fishing and Boating
1851
950
624
3868
1251
Smoking Related
4672
1688
2447
2479
2863
Medical/Hygiene
277
186 98 76
104
Dumping Activities
1269
1267
5800
1477
583
Total
47,953
24,003
32,929
30,309
17,530

8. Dumpster Tonnage Site 2012 2013 2014 2015 2017 Leeville 1.03 0.55 3.31
South Lafourche
0.57
0.97
South Lockport
0.73
0.92
Lockport
4.5
0.875
1.84
0.52
1.17
Belleview
1.35
5.26
5.73
6.99
9.02
Raceland
0.84
1.83
2.51
1.51
7.46
St Charles
0.82
3.88
0.72
1.04
NSU
1.42
1.94
2.88
1.40
0.67
Thibodaux
0.31
0.54
2.42
0.61
0.46
Bayou Rowing
0.66
0.88
1.64
0.22
Labadieville
3.76
0.79
0.26
Napoleonville
4.50
0.13
Donaldsonville
0.32
Total Tonnage
17.97
14.54
25.41
21.99
20.43

9. Shown to everyone that wants a driver’s license
KLB new video
Shown to everyone that wants a driver’s license

10. Marine Debris Education and prevention program
Funded by GOMA
Gulf Star Program

11. Program has been going on since October 2016
March 13, 2017 – High School kids – MDEPP 14 high school/4 parishes
April 7, 2017 – Illinois and Iowa Group
May 18, 2017 –Nicholls State University Graduate Students
June 7, 2017 – Limitless Vistas
July 11, 2017 – WETSHOP Teachers
August 23, 2017 – Limitless Vistas
September 16, 2017 – International Coastal Cleanup
October 18, 2017 – MDEPP New High School Group
November 15, 2017 – TOES Teen Outdoor Education and Service
December 13, 2017 – Ellender High School’s Advance Science Class

12. Have to go by Bus
Bathroom, Video, Microphone, teaching time.

13. Data Collected, Input into Excel, Sent to NOAA Marine Debris
Saving all Hard Plastics through Terra Cycle

14. All volunteers learn how to:
Set up the transect
Collect data
Record Data
Analyze Data
Writing skills
Math skills
Sources
Effects of Marine Debris
Plan for Prevention
Shrimpers

15. And of course, we
Always leave time
For a little fun!
In the end,
we will conserve only what we love,
we will love only what we understand,
and we will understand only what we are taught.
Baba Dioum, Sengulese Conservationist

16. 13 High Schools in 4 Parishes
Once a Month, Data Recorded.

17. School sustainability
3 schools per year

18. Schools are provided recycling dumpster and bins for 1 year

19. Education/outreach Trash survey done before program Education done
Data collected throughout year
Work with Green schools Program and Pepsi recycling to earn points and money to maintain
At the end of the year, if school will maintain cost of dumpster, they keep bins!

20. Roxy’s Toolbox
KLB Curriculum for K-5

21. When did this become okay???

22. Cigarette butts

24. Microplastic sampling
Gulf of Mexico Program Grant

25. Microplastic sampling
Sediment Samples
Less than 5mm

26. Where does it come from
Either larger pieces breaking down from sun, wind and waves
Starts off as tiny plastic particle that has been used for industrial purpose in plastic shipping
Personal car items such a toothpaste and facial scrub
Microfiber from clothes in washing machine or plastic nets/fishing gear

27. How can microplastics harm us?
Attract and absorb Persistent Organic Pollution – so become more toxic
Eaten by plankton feeders
Oysters/crabs
Absorb into the tissue of fish
Human’s consume
94% of tap water tested had microplastics

28. What is the solution? Break the Plastic Habit!!
Choose natural material over synthetic
Don’t use one-use plastics: reusable water bottle, canvas bags, metal utensils
Buy cotton, silk, or other natural fibers
Support bans on one use plastic and microbeads in cosmetic products

29. And then everything will be OK!!

30. Roxy’s Toolbox
KLB Curriculum for K-5