(Bayou Teche, La.)The Bayou Teche Paddle Trail and Cultural and Historical Map has been awarded the Best of Category in the Recreational/Travel Map Category in this years Cartography and Geographic Information Society Map Design Competition held at Montgomery College, Rockville, Maryland, this Spring. Notifications were recently sent out.  The Louisiana Geological Survey worked with the TECHE Project, a non-profit organization which manages the Bayou Teche Paddle Trail, a US Department of Interior National Water Trail. The map is a 12×30 inch, color, waterproof map with one side depicting the paddle trail and the opposite side focused on the significant cultural and historical aspects of Bayou Teche.  “This is a great accomplishment! The judges felt your piece was well-designed and displayed very interesting information in a compelling manner.” said Ian Muehlenhaus, CaGIS Map Competition Coordinator. Cartographer Lisa Pond and GIS Specialist Robert Paulsell are the award recipients. As a result, the map will be entered into Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

“Louisianians are passionate about outdoor recreation. The state’s beautiful landscapes, warm climate and unique ecosystem create a perfect environment for enjoying the great outdoors,” Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne said. “I commend Louisiana Geological Survey’s commitment to making Bayou Teche more accessible to locals and visitors. Congratulations on this prestigious award.”

Bayou Teche is a 135 mile long bayou that runs through 4 parishes; St. Landry, St. Martin, Iberia and St. Mary.  In January 2015, it was included in the U.S. Department of Interior National Water System. The TECHE Project manages the water trail which is nestled in the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area.  “This award showcases the qualities that make Bayou Teche Paddle Trail such an asset to the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area: history, culture and excellence in outdoor recreation, and recognizes the efforts of dedicated volunteers and the value of partnerships.” says Atchafalaya National Heritage Area Director, Debra Credeur.

The TECHE Project was the recipient of the National Park Service Recreation, Trails and Conservation Assistance program and has since been included in the U.S. Department of Interior National Water Trail System. During this time, the TECHE Project worked with citizens, paddlers, local businesses, parish tourism commissioners, the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana and the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area to gather information for the map.  The historical and cultural annotations on the map were provided by Dr. Shane K. Bernard, author of the forthcoming book Teche: A History of Louisiana’s Most Famous Bayou. “The Louisiana Geological Survey was great to work with,” says project co-manager and TECHE Project council member Dane Thibodeaux. “We have over 250 years of information to include along 135 miles of bayou. Ms. Pond and Mr. Paulsell did an exceptional job putting the Bayou Teche Paddle Trail on the map and we are proud to share it with the public whether they are paddling the bayou or visiting one of our tourism offices.”

The Bayou Teche Paddle Trail is part of a growing trend in low-impact, nature-based recreation in the state including bicycling, trail-running, hiking and kayaking. “As we move forward to build a low-impact, culture and nature based recreation economy in Acadiana, we are pleased to make an award-winning map part of the suite of tools and products for users, planners, local businesses, and tourism professionals”, says TECHE Project Executive Director, Conni Castille. 

Maps can be found at Cajun Paddle in Breaux Bridge, Pack & Paddle in Lafayette, Le Vieux Village Tourist Information Center in Opelousas, Iberia Chamber of Commerce in New Iberia and at https://techeproject.org/bayou-teche-paddle-trail/map/. Visit Louisiana Geological Survey on-line map repository at http://www.lgs.lsu.edu/. 

Teche Procession Flyer (1)

The day will begin with the Mass of the Assumption at St. Leo the Great Church in Leonville celebrated by Bishop Glen Provost, D.D. of the Diocese of Lake Charles. After Mass,the Blessed Sacrament with a special monstrance built for the occasion (measuring 68″) will proceed to the Leonville boat landing and embark from Leonville in a boat procession down the Teche toward St. Martinville. The Blessed Sacrament will be fixed on an altar on the lead boat under canopy with a pair of adorers in adoration between the towns visited. The procession will stop at Catholic Churches along the way for recitation of the Rosary and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament for those gathered at Arnaudville, Cecilia, Breaux Bridge, and Parks. The boat procession will end at the Evangeline Oak in St. Martinville around 4:45pm. At that time, a Benediction will take place at St. Martin de Tours. The procession will continue to Mater Dolorosa down main street for the celebration of Solemn Vespers of the Assumption and Final Benediction at 6:00 PM. The Diocese is hoping to gather several hundred Catholics at each of the stops along the way as well as at the beginning at Leonville and at the final destination in St. Martinville. The goal is also to register up to 100 boats in procession. Each parish might register a boat and have a banner or decorate the boat identifying the parish. Also, councils of the Knights of Columbus, Cursillo groups, religious communities, families, etc. might get together and register a boat. To do so, simply send an email to fetedieuduteche@gmail.com and a registration packet will be emailed to you. People living along the bayou are also encouraged to gather on the bayou bank and greet the Blessed Sacrament as it passes by.

The TECHE Project and the Bayou Vermilion District will be hosting the first Bankline Management Workshop at the newly renovated Breaux Bridge Library from 9:00 am to Noon on Saturday, June 6, 2015. The event is reminiscent of a thorough real estate market review Marietta GA, where experts scrutinize the undercurrents that define the ebbs and flows of property values. Just as a well-researched real estate review in Marietta GA could reveal the potential of an undervalued neighborhood, this workshop will uncover the hidden strengths along the banklines, offering insight into erosion prevention methods and effective management of local flora for both economic and environmental stability.

If you’re interested in learning different techniques to alleviate shoreline erosion, including vegetation that both helps with erosion and improves water quality, or if you are having issues with nuisance wildlife and want to learn more on how to alleviate that situation, then this workshop is for you. It’s an opportunity akin to understanding the nuances of property investment, zoning laws, and market trends that are integral to making informed decisions in real estate. Just as homeownership involves maintenance and care, the workshop aims to empower participants with the knowledge to sustain the integrity of their local ecosystems – a vital component of the community’s natural heritage, similar to how a house is part of a neighborhood’s fabric in Marietta GA.

The workshop starts with a discussion of erosion issues and different techniques available to combat that problem by TECHE Project Council Member and wetland ecologist Patti Holland and Bayou Vermilion District ecological educator Greg Guidroz. Additionally, guest speaker and naturalist, Bill Fontenot (formerly with the Lafayette Nature Station) will share his knowledge of native vegetation that can be used to alleviate erosion, improve water quality, provide aesthetic value, and in some cases attract desirable wildlife. The workshop will close with a discussion of preventative measures available to control nuisance wildlife.

Bayou Teche and Bayou Vermilion property owners are the target audience, but anyone with waterfront property will benefit from this workshop. People can visit here if they need property and construction related services. There will be wetland plants available courtesy of the Bayou Vermilion District and Trees Acadiana. The workshop is free, but donations and memberships to TECHE Project non-profit organization are always welcome.

January 10, 2015 –  A special event, “The 1st TECHE Project Wood Duck Nest Box Workshop” will be held in St. Martinville this winter just in time to get your nest box installed for the spring wood duck nesting season!  If your interested in learning how to build, install, and manage your own wood duck nest box, or if you just want to purchase a box already built and learn how to manage it for wood duck production, or if you just want to come learn a little about wood duck ecology, then this workshop is for you.

Bayou Teche property owners are our target audience, but anyone with waterfront property will benefit from this workshop.  Members get in free, and for the rest of you, the charge is $10, but you get a membership to the TECHE Project along with that fee.  There will also be a nominal fee for construction supplies, but this is the best deal around for acquiring wood duck boxes!

For more information click the tab under Events!