THIBODAUX, La. — ConocoPhillips has awarded Nicholls State University a second $50,000 grant to increase access to the land at the Nicholls Farm by replacing a condemned bridge that crosses Bayou Folse.
The gift brings the university one step closer in its quest to rebuild the bridge and reconnect to the property. The total estimated cost of the project is nearly $300,000.
ConocoPhillips is a multinational corporation engaged in hydrocarbon exploration. The company has an office in Houma and is a longtime supporter of Nicholls. They first donated to the Farm in the fall.
“We want the Farm to be a place that facilitates collaborative efforts for coastal restoration,” said Dr. Quenton Fontenot, biology department head. “Having ConocoPhillips as a partner ensures the farm will continue to be a relevant part of the overall restoration effort.”
The project will allow biology faculty and staff to work on more coastal restoration research and plant production.
“For our students, this will open up a larger area for hands-on experiences as part of their studies,” Dr. Fontenot said. “And for our faculty, they will be able to increase the number of species of coastal plants and trees produced. We will also be able to access our Grand Isle oak trees and begin producing and planting live oak seedlings that are adapted to coastal habitats.”
Nicholls first purchased the land that would become the Nicholls Farm in 1969 from Harvey Peltier. Located down La. 1 from the main campus, the Farm is an integral part of the university’s plans to become the center for coastal restoration research in Louisiana. In recent years, Nicholls Biology has produced over 30,000 black mangroves at the Nicholls Farm, which were planted along coastal areas. A Nicholls Farm master plan lays out plans for additional land, classroom space and areas to test coastal restoration projects.
For more information on the Department of Biological Sciences, visit nicholls.edu/biology.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, May 11, 2021
MEDIA CONTACT: Jacob Batte, Media Relations and Publications Coordinator, 985.448.4141 or jacob.batte@nicholls.edu
