For more than 30 years, NFL Green has organized environmental projects in the Super Bowl host city, and in 2025, that will be New Orleans. The upcoming year’s slate will include a number of greening events, and a coastal restoration project which will feature the combined efforts of NFL Green, Chefs Brigade (CB), Force Blue and the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL).
“Since we first met with Force Blue last year, we’ve been looking for a way we could work with Force Blue and with our longtime partners at CRCL,” says Chefs Brigade Executive Director Troy Gilbert. “It was worth the wait. Not only will this mean a new oyster reef to protect our disappearing coast line, but it will be built by special forces veterans from Force Blue, creating a living and lasting legacy for Super Bowl LXI.”
During Super Bowl week on February 3, 2025, CRCL volunteers will join Force Blue to move the bagged oyster shells into the water near the boat ramp in Leeville, Lafourche Parish, creating an oyster reef that will provide habitat for new oysters and other wildlife and slow the rate of erosion. Volunteers will also plant thousands of marsh grasses. The project will contribute to storm surge protection for inland communities.
The bagged oyster shells come from CRCL’s Oyster Shell Recycling Program, which collects and recycles discarded shells from restaurants. CB has collaborated with CRCL for many years on the program, and has brought on a number of CB restaurant partners. As part of the reef restoration, CB will be in charge of organizing the feeding of the volunteers.
The restoration work will continue on the night of February 5, but it will be more about supply than construction. That’s because it will be the first citywide OysterNight in New Orleans with all of the collected shells eventually becoming the building blocks for more coastal rebuilding.
Leading up to the Super Bowl week, NFL Green and others are hosting the Tree Planting and Passing of the Golden Shovel on the Lafitte Greenway on December 4, and the Oyster Shell Bagging Event – December 6 at CRCL Headquarters, 6207 E. St. Bernard Highway, Violet, LA 70092. Shell bagging will begin at 9 am, last until noon, and CRCL is looking for volunteers to assist.
.jpg)
