Park Ridge Talks Conservation!
Park Ridge Academic Magnet School's 4th and 5th grade classes visited the newly opened LSU River Model at the LSU Center for River Studies (sponsored by the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, or CPRA) to learn about Louisiana's disappearing coastline.
Man-made interventions (levee systems, dams, water diversion channels, irrigation channels) to change the flow of the Mississippi River greatly impacted the normal sediment deposit of the river. This constant deposition of sediment is what previously kept our coastline shores from washing away. Without the deposition of new sediment from the river, coastlines begin to wash away from the constant crashing of ocean waves against the shore.
Being the nation's leader in fossil fuel exports, the students explored the economic impacts water erosion can have not only on the State of Louisiana, but the entire country. After learning about the different types of conservation efforts and how new land is "created" to conserve the coastline, students were given a tour of the state-of-the-art model illuminated by 20 high-definition projectors. The center is soliciting school groups to come tour the facility and learn more about the efforts. Tours are open to 4th - 12th grade students. To request a free tour, email [email protected].
(Click on the photos for the enlarged views)