Building Conservation Trust

Programs: The building conservation trust's coastal initiatives involve marine habitat projects that fulfill one or more of the five key objectives stated in the mission. All objectives were met in 2017: restored degraded habitats through the bird island cove grass planting; created new habitats through the rio grande valley nearshore reef; advanced the science of habitat restoration and conservation with the harte research institute nearshore reefing study; fostered habitat stewardship through the louisiana tag program; and educated coastal communities of the value of conservation with the billion oyster project, done in conjunction with the new york harbor school.

cca's national habitat program, the building conservation trust (bct), funded $262,200 for the rio grande valley (rgv) reef, done in partnership with friends of rgv reef and cca texas. The impetus for the creation of this reef was to provide graduated stepping stones of habitat that would allow fish to grow from juveniles to adults. Reefs will attract a certain number of fish, but more are able to grow if a site includes a small reef for smaller fish, a mid-sized reef for mid-sized fish and a large reef for larger fish. The rio grande valley reef utilizes various materials to cater to different species, such as cinder blocks, large concrete pyramids and sunken shrimp boats. A recent phase of the reef will see the development of 60,000-240,000 red snapper per year, with 50 percent remaining in the gulf. This growth will have a substantial impact on the local economy and businesses. Studies are continuously being administered on efficiency and efficacy of the growing reef by the university of texas rio grande valley and texas a&m galveston. Dr. Rick kline of university of texas rio grande valley presented a paper on the site's first test cinder block nursery reef at the american fisheries conference. Dr. Jay rooker and his researchers from texas a&m galveston recently counted 1,700 immediate post-settlement juvenile red snapper on one of the site's 300 nursery patches that are less than 30 days old. These studies are bolstering fish populations through improved management and data collection. A current study on local demographics and those served by the reef is currently being conducted as well. Wide support from the community and local universities ensures that performance metrics will continue at this site. The long-term vision of the rgv reef is to have low relief materials in the reef site for the small marine life and fish, and higher relief materials, such as pre-constructed pyramids, for higher relief habitat and larger fish, thus creating a "life-cycle" reef. This project will positively impact local economies, increase recreational fishing opportunities, create new habitat for marine life and buffer coastal habitats from tropical storms and wave energy.

cca's national habitat program, the building conservation trust (bct), funded $185,000 for big jack's reef, done in partnership with cca louisiana, shell oil company, ldwf and others. Coastal erosion and manmade changes to calcasieu lake have endangered oysters and other marine life by altering their natural habitats over the past century, and coastal conservation groups are working together to revitalize the area. The five-acre reef is comprised of recycled whole and crushed concrete. Big jack's reef is an effort to restore the lake's fisheries and oyster population. The reef consists of about 800 recycled concrete pilings that were placed in a parallel arrangement across the five-acre site. It was then topped with crushed concrete to provide a more aggregated surface. This reef will provide habitat for trout, reds and other marine species. The parallel arrangement of the concrete pilings will help capture the tidal flow across the reef, and create eddies where baitfish will be found.