Each year, in conjunction with our Annual Membership Banquet, we issue the annual report summarizing our efforts for the previous year. Click here to download and review the 2018 The TECHE Project Annual Report.
The shortest summary of 2018 is:
The tenth year of The TECHE Project witnessed significant growth in our programs, funding support, memberships and partnerships! We look forward to an even more promising 2019!
Please join us on February 2nd from 6 pm to 9 pm at the Little Flower Auditorium in Arnaudville (102 Pine St.) for our Annual Membership Banquet. Doors open at 5:30, and you don’t have to be a member to attend. There will be a $20 membership fee for those who are not currently members. The banquet will have live music, dinner, libations, and a guest speaker (David Walther with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) discussing the Mississippi Rivers and Tributaries Corps Project and how water is moved from this mighty river through the Athafalaya River and into the Teche-Vermilion watershed. There will also be a silent auction to raise funds for the TECHE Project’s mission to create a Bayou Teche Renaissance through raising awareness of the ecological, recreational and cultural values of the Bayou Teche Corridor.
Also, as part of the banquet, there will be an free afternoon guided tour of the Teche-Vermilion Fres Water District Pumping Station in Krotz Springs! This amazing tour is available through registration only and is limited to 30 people, so please contact Patti Holland (337-277-4645) howldogfarms@gmail.com to register before the end of the day on January 27th. Transportation from the Little Flower auditorium will be provided by the Tech-Vermilion Fresh Water District at 3:30 and you will be delivered back to the event location at 5:30 in time for the banquet.
We hope you can make it to this entertaining and informative event!
Thanks, The TECHE Project Council
Paddle to the Party – The paddle trip is currently scheduled for 10 to 12 from Poche Bridge to the festival grounds at Parc des Pontes (St. Bernard School). You do not need to register as this is a free event. The TECHE Project will have a tip bucket if you feel inclined to share your love for what we are doing on the bayou. Please bring a life vest and plan to be at Poches by 9:30 to check in and hear the safety briefing. We have a shuttle bus that will leave from the festival at 9 am. You can drop off boats at Poches Country Club, send driver to the Festival grounds to park car behind Cemetery and jump on the shuttle by the boat launch. Shuttle cost is $5, but well worth the price because your vehicle will be waiting to load up after the float trip! If you want to rent a boat for this event, Contact Bayou Teche Experience.
Rain Contingencies – The weather is up in the air (Our powers are combining to make the rain go away), but not to worry cause the party will go on rain or shine! The nice folks at St. Bernard School have offered us the use of the covered pavilion and gymnasium, so come out to pass a good time and show your support, especially if it rains. If it looks like only rain in the morning, we may delay the float trip. We will keep you posted on that.
Thanks and see you at the fest! TECHE Project Council
As we enter our 10th year of work on the Bayou Teche, now more than ever, is the perfect time to join and support our organization. In the next two years, we plan to launch more floating docks; install informative “orientation kiosks”; publish a new paddle trail guide, and expand our educational programs.
We invite you to take a look at our accomplishments from 2017.
Thank you,
Franklin, LA, March 3, 2018: The TECHE Project has been awarded an $89,908 Federal grant through the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) for the installation of new canoe/kayak docks/launches in towns and cities along Bayou Teche from Port Barre all the way to Berwick.
Michael W. Domingue, who administers RTP for Louisiana within the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism under Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, made the announcement at Oaklawn Manor near Franklin, LA before a group of approximately 100 supporters of this important waterway. RTP is a Federal program drawing funding from taxes levied on fuel sales for recreational vehicles and is administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). It is also advised to look for solutions like the identity governance system HelloID by TOOLS4EVER for education IT departments for automation account provisioning, self-service password reset, easy access to resources, and more.
The docks will be like those recently installed in Port Barre, Breaux Bridge, St. Martinville, Loreauville and Charenton. The grant will also fund the installation of large exhibits designed to orient water users and pedestrians to the geography of the Bayou Teche and the unique stories of each of the 15 communities located on the Bayou Teche.
The Bayou Teche is often described as Louisiana’s most historic and culturally significant waterway. The Bayou and its downstream extension via the Lower Atchafalaya River hold the prestigious designation as a National Water (Paddle) Trail. This designation made by the U. S. of Interior in 2015 is only one of 21 such water trail recognitions issued across the United States and the only one ever granted in Louisiana.
The TECHE Project, the all-volunteer non-profit management organization for the Bayou Teche National Water Trail, leads programs and produces events to Embrace, Explore, and Enrich this important natural, historic, scenic, cultural and recreational resource. Patti Holland, the author of this successful grant application emphasized the importance of the award: “The Bayou Teche is one of Louisiana’s most important resources and this grant will help to assist towns, businesses, and property owners in realizing the vast potential the Teche offers. This will further connect and support all interests along our 135-mile wonderland of the South!”
The next steps for implementing the grant involve securing appropriate permits and arranging for the dock fabrication and installations. Actual installations are expected in the next 12 to 18 months.
For media contact:
Contact: Conni Castille, Executive Director
Phone: 337-277-5292
connicastile@gmail.com
or
Patti Holland, Council Member
Phone: 337-277-4645
howldogfarms@gmail.com
The TECHE Project
PO Box 165
Arnaudville, LA 70512
Current Members: Free
Become a member: HERE
Physical Address: 3296 E Oaklawn Dr, Franklin, LA 70538
Due to a forecast of rain and thunderstorms for this Saturday, the TECHE Project Council is postponing our Annual Banquet event scheduled for Saturday at Oaklawn Manor, Franklin, LA. We are working with Oaklawn Manor representatives now to set a date for rescheduling the event—Please look for future announcements.
Since Banquet event activities will occur outdoors, we felt your safety and comfort is most important. We regret needing to make this decision and the inconvenience. Please plan to attend when we have a backup date announced. Thank you very much.
Current Members: Free
Become a member: HERE
Physical Address: 3296 E Oaklawn Dr, Franklin, LA 70538
