15 Years Later: Opportunities for the Future

This is the third of a three-part blog series highlighting 15 key takeaways about the Gulf's recovery since the Deepwater Horizon oil spill 15 years ago-its wildlife, restoration successes, and the urgent need for continued investment for environmental and economic success. Read the first and second blogs in the series here.

What's next? These are the major restoration efforts we must prioritize with the once-in-a-generation opportunity BP fines grant us.

Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion, Louisiana

First proposed in the 1980s, this is a critical project that will reconnect the Mississippi River to the Barataria Basin to restore natural processes needed to build and sustain wetlands. The Barataria Basin was one of the hardest hit areas by the oil spill. This project was selected for funding with the recognition that the benefits it could provide to the ecosystem could not be realized with any other project or even group of projects.

However, today the Gulf's largest land-building project-and the largest single restoration project in U.S. history-is at risk due to political interference. This project must move forward to build and sustain Barataria wetlands for the future of Louisiana's coast, communities, culture, and habitat.

Seagrass Restoration, Florida

Seagrass beds are incredibly valuable marine habitats that provide nurseries, feeding grounds, and shelter for many important fish and shellfish species and marine wildlife, such as manatees and sea turtles.

Seagrass beds provide shelter and food for endangered sea turtles and manatees. Credit: Florida Sea Grant

Unfortunately, seagrass beds are vanishing due to declining water quality from pollution and nutrient runoff, coastal community development, and boating damage, and these losses have had major impacts on wildlife like the Manatee. While some seagrass restoration efforts have happened, major investment is needed to address the causes of seagrass loss and to restore this critical habitat.

Barrier Island Restoration, Gulf-Wide

The Gulf's iconic barrier islands offer abundant recreational opportunities and provide important nesting habitat for threatened and endangered sea turtles and nesting, breeding, foraging, and stopover habitat for a wide variety of bird species.

Battered by storms, the Gulf's barrier islands also offer a natural defense from waves and storms, protecting other coastal habitat and nearby communities. Restoring and maintaining these islands must continue so these islands can keep providing benefits to people and wildlife for years to come.

Barrier islands like Queen Bess in Louisiana provide vital community protection as well as wildlife habitat. Queen Bess is a vital nesting spot for brown pelicans, whose populations were devastated by the spill. Restoration of the nesting areas has helped populations rebound. Credit: NWF Staff

Climate Resilience for Wildlife and People, Gulf-Wide

Climate-resilient habitats and communities are needed for the people and wildlife of the Gulf. This means restoring and protecting important habitat for wildlife that also provide natural defenses to rising sea levels and other climate change impacts, such as barrier islands, oyster reefs, and wetlands.

It also means raising awareness about climate change risks to our communities and the solutions that can help reduce these risks. Whether it is partnering on terracing projects on Louisiana's coast or our Dear Tampa Bay work in Florida, NWF works with communities to drive restoration and climate resilience across the coast.

A Dear Tampa Bay boat tour learns more about coastal climate resilience. NWF held a focus group post-tour to understand how expert-led field trips impact community views on resilience. Credit: NWF Staff

Securing New Restoration Funding

A healthy Gulf for wildlife and people can't rely on disaster funding. We, and everyone who relies on the Gulf Coast, need Congress to dedicate permanent funding to Gulf restoration efforts. Investing in a healthier and more resilient Gulf Coast is a proactive way to reduce damages from future storms and other disasters and allow faster recovery.

NWF actively supports new funding sources to continue the vital work being done to restore and protect our coastal communities. Dedicated funding allows a full-speed-ahead approach to Gulf restoration, and we can't afford to slow down.

Mid-Barataria is a critical restoration project for the future of Louisiana and the northern Gulf, but it is under threat. Take a moment to show your support today and ensure we reconnect the Mississippi River to its delta for wildlife and future generations.