Sassafras Louisiana

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During my time working on Children of the Spills, I have met some incredible people.  I know I've said it before, but I am truly blown away by the tenacity and generosity, compassion and zest of the people in Alaska, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and beyond that have added their unique flavor to this project.

And one flavor that I find particularly inspiring is that of Sassafras Louisiana.  Erika and I had the chance last spring to talk, laugh, and swap fish stories with members of Sassafras LA over a table-full of Cajun appetizers (including alligator!) The group is named after the sassafras tree, the source of filé. Like this Cajun spice that "brings everything together” in dishes such as gumbo, the group is made up of local teens working to bring the youth together in the restoration and preservation of coastal Louisiana.

That goal alone is noteworthy.  With as much as 17 square miles of marsh being lost every year in Louisiana and ongoing challenges from hurricanes and the oil spill and ensuing clean-up, any group working towards the restoration and preservation of coastal Louisiana deserves a second look.  It is not an easy task to take on.  Coastal land loss is a complex problem.  There are lots of potential causes, including everything from shipping canals to flood protection levees to hurricanes to invasive species.  Potential solutions tend to be even more complex and controversial, and often involve significant feats of physical engineering and large sums of money.  And yet, this group is determined to do whatever they can to restore and protect coastal Louisiana.

Even more awesome is the fact that Sassafras LA was created through the vision and hard work of 16 and 17 year olds who were determined to take action to help coastal Louisiana and the “people, food, music, wildlife, natural environment, industries, and overall rhythm of life that make it special.”  They were repeatedly told they were too young to help in the aftermath of the BP/Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. They could not stand idly by, though, and instead created this organization to help protect coastal Louisiana from erosion and disasters. 

But the most wonderful aspect of this group – and the thing that brings a smile to my face and hope to my heart -- is that these young people are for real.  They care deeply and passionately about this cause because they love their place, their home. Explaining, "we were born here; we grew up here; and we plan to grow old here,” these amazing individuals truly love their home in coastal Louisiana.  Each one has their own reasons: record-holding fish catches, relaxed neighborhood seafood boils, hunting for frogs, the smell of the mud, the beauty of the lights over the water at night, the local "dress code."  These teens love the place they call home and the beautiful mixture of land, water, and people that make it just the way it is.  

These teens grew up in coastal Louisiana – exploring its lands, swimming in its waters, eating its seafood, learning from its residents.  They know what this place is all about.  Not only do they know what is at stake here, they know what can be gained here.  And they know that the vibrant culture of coastal Louisiana is their strongest resource. They celebrate this culture, and have put together a plan that engages the industrious, spirited, and strong-willed people of the bayous.

On March 23, Sassafras Louisiana will host the second annual Nutria Rodeo.   This event captures the unique essence of the group.  Nutria were introduced to the marshes decades ago by fur ranchers.  They began to overrun the wetlands when market demand declined.  By selectively browsing on the shoots of marsh plants that would otherwise prevent erosion, nutria have grown to be a major hindrance to the health of wetlands in Louisiana.  Quickly recognizing that getting nutria out of local marshes is an important step towards protecting and restoring them, Sassafras LA created a fun-filled event with prizes, food, and music to encourage the round-up of nutria.  The first event helped remove more than a dozen nutria from the marsh; the nutria meat was mostly turned into sausage.  More importantly, the uniquely Cajun event brought hundreds of people together to celebrate protecting the marsh.  And because the idea is so distinctive, word of the event, and increasing awareness of land loss, spread throughout the United States.  I wish I could make it to the second annual Nutria Rodeo.  It promises to be a really good time for a really good cause.

These young people get it.  They are for real.  They are intelligent, creative, and dedicated.  They understand the issues and challenges well, without forgetting the value of fun and a sense of humor.  And they’re not afraid to get a little bit muddy!  It is tempting to finish with, “These teens are going to do great things,” but the truth is, they already have.

A trancript of our full interview with members of Sassafras Louisiana will be available soon on this website.  For more information about the group, check out their website http://www.sassafrasla.org or Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/sassafras.la   Better yet, catch them at the Nutria Rodeo.