The Golden Meadow Plant Materials Center (LAPMC) in Galliano, Louisiana provides plant solutions to address soil health, air quality, energy, wildlife habitat, erosion control and water quality pertaining to coastal wetland, coastal prairie and Chenier ridge restoration and enhancement in the service areas of Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. The Center supports NRCS field office activities and programs, academic institutions, private landowners and individuals, and Federal, State, Local and Tribal governments.
The Center is located within the Barataria-Terrebonne Estuary, one of the largest and most productive estuarine systems in the United States. Louisiana accounts for 90% of the nation’s annual coastal wetland loss; land loss occurs as marginal erosion and interior marsh deterioration. Wetland loss is the result of reduced sediment delivery to marshes due to navigation and flood controls on the Mississippi River, salt water intrusion into fresh and brackish coastal marshes, dredge and fill activities and natural subsidence.
Plants developed by the Center have proven effective in reducing soil erosion and promote re-establishment of native vegetation and enhance wildlife habitat. The Golden Meadow Plant Materials Center has developed 9 conservation plants for wetland ecosystem and coastal prairie restoration across the northern Gulf Coast.
Highlights
NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE PROGRAM SUPPORT
Provide technical assistance to address improvements on agricultural land in support of Farm Bill programs.
Identify and evaluate plants and development technology for their successful establishment and maintenance to solve natural resource conservation problems.
Provide plant materials and plant technology that are economically feasible for meeting resource concerns.
Maintain and improve the productivity of agricultural lands and watersheds through plants and plant management technology.
Increase the use of plant materials to address issues of human health, safety, culture, and aesthetics.
Conduct field trials using cover crops to address soil health, erosion and water quality improvements on agricultural lands operating in coastal zones.
Provide and promote the commercial production of NRCS plant releases to ensure that adequate seed and plants are available for use in cooperative conservation programs.
COASTAL WETLAND EROSION REMIDIATION
Identify and evaluate plant species for coastal erosion control, marsh restoration and dune stabilization.
Identify and collect emergent and submersed aquatic plant species from fresh, brackish and saline marsh ecosystems for the re-vegetation of coastal zones damaged by intense wave and wind energy caused by storm events.
Identify and collect species to enhance diversity of coastal dunes and barrier islands.
Identify and collect salt tolerant fresh water species for areas with subsidence and saltwater intrusion.
Support re-vegetation efforts along the northern Gulf Coast through development and evaluation of plant propagation and plant establishment technology.
Support restoration and enhancement of associated coastal habitats (e.g. coastal prairies, coastal forest, Chenier ridges).
PLANT DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
Provide plants and technology to assist commercial growers in addressing coastal resource concerns.
Maintain and distribute foundation quality planting stock to commercial growers.
Provide training to growers on efficient propagation techniques.
Publish and distribute technical notes and bulletins on propagation and establishment of plants developed at the PMC.
Cooperate with state, federal and local governments to continue to develop plants for coastal restoration.
Maintain and monitor genetic integrity of vegetative-propagated materials through DNA profiles.
LOUISIANA NATIVE PLANT INITATIVE
Promote the use of native plants to help conserve and restore critical Louisiana ecosystems.
Coordinate activities of the Louisiana Native Plant Initiative to help conserve and restore critical Louisiana ecosystems.
Develop protocols and procedures necessary for the collection, evaluation and seed increase of native species targeted through the Louisiana Native Plant Initiative.
Evaluate and develop new plant technologies and information that supports restoration of coastal prairies to enhance wildlife habitat and improve sustainable forage quality for livestock.
Promote the use of native species that involve pollinator-friendly species for the use of many NRCS practices that can provide added conservation benefits.
VOLUNTEER AND OUTREACH EFFORTS
Provide educational opportunities and access to all segments of the community to the Plant Materials Program.
Provide education plant facts, lessons and demonstrations to local schools and libraries in observance of Earth and Arbor Day.
Provide training and technical documents on the establishment and management of plant materials for coastal ecosystems.
Support local rebuilding initiatives by community action.
Support sustainable coastal ecosystems through assistance to youth groups and teachers demonstrating the importance of the coastal barrier islands, saline and fresh water marshes and Chenier habitats.
Cooperate with other federal, state, local, and tribal governments on projects that involve problems of ecosystem restoration.
Serve as a learning center to stimulate and foster an understanding of importance of plants in the environment and their role in conservation programs for field office staff, conservation district staff, partners, farmers and ranchers and educational institutions.
Golden Meadow Plant Materials Center
438 Airport Rd.
Galliano, LA 70354
Telephone: 985-475-5280
Fax: 985- 475- 6545
The Golden Meadow Plant Materials Center (LAPMC) in Galliano, Louisiana provides plant solutions to address soil health, air quality, energy, wildlife habitat, erosion control and water quality pertaining to coastal wetland, coastal prairie and Chenier ridge restoration and enhancement in the service areas of Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. The Center supports NRCS field office activities and programs, academic institutions, private landowners and individuals, and Federal, State, Local and Tribal governments.