The Queen Bess Island Restoration Project has been named one of the nation’s Best Restored Shores for 2026. The American Shore and Beach Preservation Association recognized the project, which restored critical habitat near Grand Isle that was devastated by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Katie Freer with the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority says the project was the first of its kind.
Queen Bess Island Restoration Project (image courtesy of Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority)
“To be able to make a very large investment in confronting a real challenge that Louisiana was facing, that was made a whole lot worse by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill,” Freer explained.
The project cost about $19 million and was funded through the Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlements.
Freer says the restoration expanded and elevated the island, while significantly improving nesting habitat.
“So that some of the islands that were completely lost; now Queen Bess can make up some of the difference in nesting habitat that was lost that can’t be restored,” Freer noted.
Freer says the project increased nesting habitat from just five acres to 36 acres.
“We actually have 11 different species that we’ve observed nesting out there since the project, which is an increase in nesting species from before the project. So the birds really like what we’ve done,” Freer said.