Dane Thibodeaux is the Bayou Operations Director forTECHE Project. For the years that he’s been devoting himself to cleaning up the bayou, we at TECHE Project got to know his dad, Clayus Thibodeaux. Clayus is always by his side, pulling trash, hyacinth, and appliances out of the Teche, But, Dane’s Mom, we didn’t get to know. We wish we had gotten to know her better. She left this world on Friday. Dane tells us that she was the push to both of them to get out there and make a difference. It was her love of the Teche that inspired them. Or at least she scared them enough to get them motivated. We hear she could be a persuasive woman. It is with admiration and thanks that we say goodbye to Mary Lynn Hebert Thibodeaux. Thank you for giving us Dane and Clayus.

TECHE Project

The TECHE Project. Sounds like it could be an episode from “The X- Files.”

Cue music here, but not the TV show’s theme song. How about something from Horace Trahan and Ossun Express, the Magnolia Sisters or Megan Brown and David Greely? Somebody mention The St. Bernard School Musicians?

There. That’s better. That’s what you’ll hear next Saturday for the fourth annual Shake Your Trailfeather Festival at Parc des Ponts in Breaux Bridge.
Like most fests in the area, this one is free, too. But it’s also a fundraiser to create projects and maintain facilities along the Bayou Teche Paddle Trail which, by the way, is a national recognized National Water Trail.

FYI: It’s the only one in Louisiana. And it just didn’t happen, all 200-plus of the TECHE Project volunteers worked really hard to earn such status. Also noteworthy of the highest order, the Bayou Teche Paddle Trail Map was awarded best in category for recreational maps by the International Cartography Society.

The funds collected from buying a pin and stuff on site goes to implementing grant funded projects to build floating docks in several towns and the trail’s very first trailhead facility in Breaux Bridge.

In the process of removing more than 50 tons of trash from the Teche sine 2009, the nonprofit, which stands for the Teche Ecology, Culture and History Education Project, is also working to raise awareness of the environmental, cultural, historical, and recreational values of Bayou Teche.

This is real stuff that affects all of us where we live — even if you don’t live on the Teche.

The Project is good for the people in the area along the bayou where easy, safe access to it is concerned, as well as those with property that line it.

Not only that, bayou landowners are getting into a wood duck management program and are re-vegetating the bank line with native vegetation to improve water quality.

While TECHE Project is organic and all, you know, with Mother Nature and the healthy aspect of being outdoors in the sunshine and fresh air while tooling, footprint-free, down the bayou, it would be disingenuous not to acknowledge the economic benefits, too, one day with a trail based economy along the bayou.

And that starts with the trailheads, docks, camping areas and other accouterments along the 130 miles of the Bayou Teche Paddle Trail. Paddlers can stop, drop anchor and check out a town along the way, grab something to eat and maybe shake a leg at a Zydeco Breakfast like they do at Café des Amis in Breaux Bridge.

All of this makes so much sense it’s almost scary in its simplicity and honesty.

Anyway, come next Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., you can keep the projects rolling while you paddle a good time, or just hangout on shore taking in the festivities. Eat, drink, dance and check out artisans selling their wares. There’ll be educational information and demonstrations about the various projects taking place on the Bayou, and, of course, many activities and face painting for kids. You’re encouraged to come adorned as birds and compete for the Best “Bayou Bird” prize. That ought to be interesting.

Magnolia Sister Anya Burgess, who’s also one of the founding members of the TECHE Project, described the festival as “a wonderful family event in a beautiful place,” she said. “The Trail Feather Festival is not only fun to attend but gives you a good feeling to know that you are supporting such a good cause.”

http://www.theadvertiser.com/story/life/2015/10/08/trailfeather-shakin-all-right-reasons-naturally/73546322/

Nature-based tourism and watershed education on Bayou Teche continues to make a splash.  For six years the TECHE Project has worked to develop the Bayou Teche Paddle Trail, a 135 mile long water trail. After several years of community planning, the Bayou Teche Paddle Trail was included in the U.S. Department of Interior National Water Trail System in January 2015.  Now, we are pleased to announce that the first of ten floating kayak/canoe/pirogue docks have been installed in Breaux Bridge at Parc des Pont. Funding for the Breaux Bridge floating dock was provided by the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism and St. Martin Parish Tourism.   Additionally, in September, TECHE Project Council Member Jimmy Gravois of Metal Shark Aluminum Boats, designed and fabricated a portable floating dock, with funding through our lifetime members Alan and Brenda Broussard for the TECHE Project that will spend most of the time in Arnaudville to provide access to Bayou Teche Brewing and will be used for large-scale paddling events during other times of the year. These floating docks will allow for easier access to the bayou and further attracts paddlers of all abilities to enjoy the most culturally and historically significant bayou in Louisiana.

On October 17, 2015, the TECHE Project will host the 4rd annual Shake Your Trail Feather Festival in Breaux Bridge at Parc des Ponts de Pont Breaux. The festival is a free event celebrating the Bayou Teche Paddle Trail and will begin at 11:30 am and run until 6pm.

The festival gets kicked off with a set by the St. Bernard School children (11:30 to 12:15). Additionally, musicians David Greely and Megan Brown (Cajun folklore- Noon to 1 pm), the Magnolia Sisters (Gramy nominated-Cajun 1:30pm to 3:30pm), and Horace Trahan and the Ossun Express (Creole/Zydeco – 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm) will play on the circa 1860 bridge moored on the bayou bank.

The Heritage Stage will include a premiere of Charles Richard’s documentary about wooden boat builders “In the Mind of the Maker” (1 pm) historical/cultural interviews with boat builders on the Teche (2 pm), and demonstrations on boat carving (3 pm).

Cajun Paddle will be partnering to host a “Paddle to the Party”. Kayaks and canoes will paddle 2 hours from Poche Bridge to the park with a floating band escort (10:00 am to Noon). TRAIL is partnering to host the “Trail Feathers” bike event (7:00 am to 11:00 am), which has 3 different bike routes, and they all have an option to peddle and paddle with the Cajun Paddle crew.

We encourage folks to come adorned in feathers and compete for the Best Bird Prize. There will be artisans, several kid’s activities, face painting, food and beverages, and a kayak donated by Pack and Paddle will be auctioned (5:00 pm). Proceeds from the festival go toward building the National Bayou Teche Paddle Trail, so come join the fun, and Shake Your Trail Feathers for a good cause!

The TECHE Project would like to wish a safe journey to all those who will be paddling in the Tour Du Teche this weekend. We hope that you enjoy Louisiana’s only and the countries 18th National Water Trail. If anyone is interested in following the race online you can visit www.tourduteche.com. We want to remind all of you to tell these racers hello as they pass and ask where they are coming from, you may even want to offer them some water or a pit stop to use your bathroom. They have 135 miles to travel! If you take any photos throughout the weekend please use the hashtag #GeauxPaddle #TourDuTeche so that everyone can see them. We will select some photos and share them on our social media pages! You can follow us @techeproject on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. See you on the Bayou!

Breaux Bridge, La. (KADN)

The city of Breaux Bridge finally got its wish after pushing the state for years to repair its iconic bridge that had been corroding for a long time .

The state has agreed to fund the project.

“It was complete surprise to me.” said Breaux Bridge Alderman Bimmie Champagne who led the charge in getting Baton Rouge to fix the bridge.

It came as a shock because repairing the bridge’s superstructure was pretty low on the state’s priority list since the foundation was recently fixed but Breaux Bridge wasn’t going to accept that.

“Baton Rouge finally got the message that we were not going to give in and back off.” said Mayor Ricky Callais.

Before the state announced it would foot the bill, residents fundraised about $10,000 to save the bridge

The city is now making sure that the money already saved doesn’t go to waste.

“The money that we have raised will continue to pressure washing the bridge and will continue to go to its upkeep.” said Breaux Bridge Area Chamber of Commerce President, Joseph Pearson.

The state will spend 1.2 million dollars to remove the red lead from the superstructure and it give a fresh paint job.

Champagne has a suggestion for a new color.

“A bronze color would really enhance the bridge. I think it would give it a little more of an antique look.” said Champagne.

Although funds have been set aside to repair the bridge, the project won’t begin until 2017.

http://www.cajunfirst.com/news/local-news/the-icon-of-breaux-bridge-saved

On October 17th, the TECHE Project will hold our annual celebration of the National Bayou Teche Paddle Trail at Parc du Pont in Breaux Bridge, and proceeds from the festival go to building the paddle trail, so come show your support by attending the festival and purchasing a festival Pin.  We have an awesome line up of music and several recreational activities for kids and grown ups alike.  If your interested in finding our more about the bike ride and the Paddle to the Party, or if your interested in helping out at the festival, contact Patti Holland at howldogfarms@gmail.com.

For the first time since 1982 and the last time until 2033 experience the joy of watching the Super Moon Full Lunar Eclipse on the Bayou Teche from the comfort of your own living room! Rob at KATC says the clouds will be blocking most of the view so we will have it here for you to see every minute of it! Please Enjoy. Huge thanks to NASA for supplying us with the live feed!

Click Here to view.

You are invited to the unveiling of artist Bryan LaFaye’s work inspired by the beauty, history, and preservation of Bayou Teche.  We are honored to have Bryan’s artwork serving as this years’ theme for the Shake Your Trail Feather Festival Poster and Pin. The artwork will be auctioned silently beginning at the event and will continue online through October 16^th ; the winner announced at the festival.

LaFaye’s body of work explores various mediums, but its content is steady, layered with meaning, thematically focusing on Louisiana’s natural world. The large pigment-on-paper artwork asks its viewers to reflect on our changing environment, in particular, the Bayou Teche, and to consider our role in these changes. “Once, a time ago, images were conjured to the stories, to the myths, of who and what we Louisianian’s were, what we saw when we blinked,” explains LaFaye. “Now, today, images are conjured to protect those stories and myths we Louisianians lived when we blinked.” LaFaye’s art poses questions to us all: what trails have we paddled, and, what wake will we leave behind?

Lafaye’s ethos and TECHE Project’s mission make this partnership a natural one. Proceeds from the auction go to the Bayou Teche National Paddle Trail. Sumptuous appetizers paired with local brews served in your personal LA-31 Snifter will be served along with live music and a brewery tour.  If beer is not your beverage preference, you can bring other libations and non-alcoholic options will be provided.  Admission is $12.  Casual dressy attire suggested.

For more info please click here.

(Loreauville, La) Volunteers from the Village of Loreauville partnered with the TECHE Project this past weekend to spruce up the banks of the Bayou Teche in preparation for visitors coming from around the country to take part in multiple events around the area. The bayou will host the 6^th annual Tour du Teche canoe and kayak race and the weeklong Grand Reveil Acadien ceremony commemorating the 250^th anniversary of the arrival of the Acadians in the Atakapa region. Residents can cheer on as paddlers zip by on October 2, 3, and 4th or participate in a ceremony that will take place on Thursday, October 8^th on the banks of the bayou where the future home of the Acadian Odyssey Park will be located in Loreauville.

Mayor Brad Clifton of Loreauville was on hand to aide in the bayou side cleanup. “We were able to remove 4 trailer loads of invasive trees, brush, and debris blocking the public’s view of the historic Bayou Teche, we wanted to clean so our residents can enjoy a little bit of the bayou and help to keep the way it needs to be,” Clifton said. Zerorez can also help you out in availing home improvement services.

Dane Thibodeaux of the TECHE Project, who coordinated the effort with Mayor Clifton, said, “It is always a great feeling when volunteers come out and give up a bit of their time to preserve the most culturally and historically significant bayou in Louisiana.” Thibodeaux wants to remind all residents to do their part to help #you can also check out how to clean shingles and Keep it Clean while the experts from ATEX Premier Cleaning can take in-charge of  the industrial cleaning. “If you see something out there, that shouldn’t be there, do your part and pick it up. It is all our responsibility to protect our waterways,” Thibodeaux said. As painting is  part of home improvement you can also contact experts from Florida painting companies to maintain cleanliness and freshness.

The Teche Ecology, Culture, and History Education (TECHE) Project, is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization whose mission it is to improve the Bayou Teche watershed health. They work to raise awareness of the bayous cultural and historical values, as well as, promoting low-impact recreation and nature-based tourism along the Bayou Teche. Since 2009, this group has successfully removed over 50 tons of garbage and debris with the help of community leaders and volunteers. The TECHE Project also led community planning with the National Park Service, which resulted in Bayou Teche being designated as 1 of 18 National Water Trails by the U.S. Department of the Interior. “We are doing some really good things for the bayou, but none of it would be possible without the help of community leaders and volunteers who come out and support us,” Thibodeaux added.

Mayor Brad Clifton wants to encourage residents to do their part and is extending an invite to those interesting in helping out this weekend for a village wide cleanup. “We will be cleaning the streets of trash and debris to show off to our visitors how great our community is,” Clifton said.

For more information on how you can support the TECHE Project or participate in future bayou cleanups you can visit www.techeproject.org or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter @techeproject. To report trash or invasive species on your section of Bayou Teche please contact Dane Thibodeaux at techeproject@gmail.com