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In This Issue
Rebuilding the Lighthouse has Begun ~ Shipwreck Party ~ Beach Sweep 2007 ~ Saving Our Cypress ~ Northshore Patron Party ~ Mignon Faget Lighthouse Jewelry
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“We’re Making History"

As of September 5th, the bid-selected construction company, Construction South, began the dismantling of the New Canal Lighthouse.  They are salvaging historic pieces such as cypress planks, shutters, hardware, and portions of the cupola to be used in the future replication.  Many, many thanks to our donors and our architects, HMS Architects, especially Keith Steger.  Also, many thanks to Jack Jensen for donation of the warehouse space for storage of the historic pieces.

Crews begin disassembling the cupola

We still need your help with the replication of the lighthouse.  Any donations are welcome!!

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We’re Ship Wrecked Because Our Light Is Out!

Join the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation and the New Orleans Yacht Club for a fundraiser for the New Canal Lighthouse on Friday, October 19th. The fundraiser will be held from 7-10 at the New Orleans Yacht Club at West End Park. Tickets are only $25 and proceeds go towards the help restore and rebuild the New Canal Lighthouse. The night will be filled with music, dancing, raffle and auction items. There will be Mako Vodka Cocktails, other spirits at a cash bar, appetizers by Landry’s Seafood and gumbo by The Bladsacker’s. Come in your best shipwrecked costume or casual wear. As an additional bonus the New Orleans Yacht Club will offer ½ its initiation fee to all party goers. Reservations are limited so please RSVP by calling 504-836-2205.

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When: Saturday September 15, 2007,  Litter Cleanup…  9:00am-12:00noon
Where: City streets , storm drains and ditches around Lake Pontchartrain
What: pick up litter as part Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Clean Up
Why: To continue the renewal of the entire New Orleans Region and protect Lake Pontchartrain's waters
How: Go out into your neighborhood and join over 1500 volunteer's cleaning ditches, street curbs and storm drains

We have closed registration for 2007 but please participate in your own neighborhood to keep waterways clean for our Lake Pontchartrain citizens.

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Coming Soon this Holiday Season and a Must Have! Mignon Faget is pleased to present the New Canal Lighthouse Adornment. The Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation will have the collectable to sell this holiday season. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the LPBF New Canal Lighthouse Education Center. Look for more details in the next Basin Bulletin and plan to do your shopping with LPBF!!!!!!!!!!

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Wal-Mart to Stop Selling Cypress Mulch From Louisiana

Important Step Towards Preserving Endangered Cypress Swamps

New Orleans, LA- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. has informed its suppliers that, effective January 1, 2008, the company will no longer buy and sell cypress mulch that is harvested, bagged, or manufactured in the state of Louisiana. The Save Our Cypress Coalition, a group of environmental organizations, has been publicly pressuring the major retailers Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and Lowe’s to stop selling cypress mulch since November 2006.

“It’s a tremendous step that Wal-Mart has recognized that cypress sustainability is a serious concern.” said Mark Ford, Executive Director of the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, “The Save Our Cypress Coalition sincerely thanks Wal-Mart for the action they’ve taken in Louisiana, and we will continue to work to completely end the sale of unsustainable cypress mulch.”

The decision comes on the heels of another recent action by a home retailer that acknowledges the concerns of the Save Our Cypress coalition, while failing to implement practical solutions to address those concerns. Lowe’s has stated it has implemented a moratorium on mulch from cypress harvested south of I-10/I-12 in Louisiana, excluding the Pearl River Basin. But there is no enforceable mechanism for ensuring that the moratorium is actually being upheld by suppliers. Home Depot and Lowe’s have claimed in the past that their suppliers do not source from coastal Louisiana, but the Atchafalaya Basinkeeper has gathered evidence proving this assertion to be false. The evidence is available at www.saveourcypress.org.

“Suppliers of cypress mulch have proven willing to hide the source of their product in the past,” said Dean Wilson, from the Atchafalaya Basinkeeper. “Wal-Mart recognizes the difficulties with verification and is acting accordingly by identifying the whole state as an unacceptable source.”

A new interactive cypress map, at www.lmrk.org/cypressmap.html, demonstrates chain-of-custody concerns through documented examples of clear-cutting and cypress mulch production in Louisiana. As the map information shows, many of the brands of mulch produced in Louisiana are already labeled with addresses in Florida, Texas, and Arkansas.

“We’re happy to hear that some cypress forests will be saved from the mulch machine, but how can Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and Lowe’s ignore Florida’s wetlands?” asked Joe Murphy, Florida Programs Coordinator for the Gulf Restoration Network. According to the University of Florida IFAS Extension, cypress trees in Florida are being cut out of the wetlands at a rate faster than they can regenerate, and almost half of the cypress cut is used for mulch.

The Save Our Cypress Coalition continues to call on Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and Lowe’s to stop selling cypress mulch that is not certified as sustainable, no matter where the logging occurs.  While cautiously celebrating Wal-Mart’s move in Louisiana, the coalition submitted formal letters signed by over 160 organizations, from across the US and around the world, to Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and Lowe’s asking the companies to stop selling cypress mulch. Supporters include conservation groups, garden clubs, anglers, eco-tourism operators, and members of the faith-based community.

Cypress forests are heralded by scientists to be some of the Gulf’s best natural storm and flooding protection. The swamps also support a wide array of wildlife including fish and crustaceans, migratory birds, and threatened and endangered species like the bald eagle and Florida panther.  The swamps are of national importance to protect the economy, the unique environment of the Gulf Coast, and people.

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15th Annual “Let’s Make Waves” Patron Party and Silent Auction

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COME CRUISE WITH US!

Join LPBF for a Fundraiser Cruise aboard Carnival Cruise Line’s Ship, The Fantasy sailing from New Orleans to Cozumel April 24-28, 2008. This will be a great opportunity for our members to get to know each other and us, while raising money for LPBF’s many important programs. So grab your friends and families and COME SAIL AWAY. For more information please check our website or call Laura at 504-836-7281. To book your cruise, please contact Yvonne at Travel Center at 504-834-7000.

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