FAQ

What is a Gulf Saver Bag?

The Gulf Saver Bag is a package of native marsh grass plants that are delivered to the ecosystem with its own supply of totally natural nutrients and billions of oil eating micro-organisms to support, feed and protect the marsh grasses promoting survival and growth, restoring the ecosystems and habitats.

Environmental restoration bags similar to Gulf Saver Bags have been used successfully to restore major river banks and shorelines following other environmental disasters since 1993.

Gulf Saver Bags are working with nature and in an all natural way.

What is in a Gulf Saver Bag?

A Gulf Saver Bag is a US Army Corps of Engineers standard biodegradable "burlap (sand) bag", that is filled with an all natural humus mix rather than sand. (weight and size adapted for easy handling by volunteers)

The humus inside the Gulf Saver Bag is a mixture of all natural organic nutrients that support maximum plant growth and survivability. Included in the humus mixture is billions of all-natural oil eating microorganisms, already being used by nature, to support as well as protect plants from potential toxins.

The plants "plugged" into the Gulf Saver Bag are native marsh plants that are vital to protecting, holding together, and restoring the ecosystems that are essential to the Gulf Coast.

The 100% all natural biodegradable Gulf Saver Bags decompose and continue to provide additional food for the marsh plants as they thrive and grow.

How are the Gulf Saver Bags different than other methods for cleaning up the Gulf?

How are the Gulf Saver Bags different than other methods for cleaning up the Gulf?

Gulf Saver Bags help to retain the organic matter (mud) to control erosion and loss of wetland to open water as well as provide a "jump start" to assist nature in accelerating the healing process to bring back balance to Gulf Coast ecosystems.

How will the Gulf Saver Bags get to the sites?

To begin delivering Gulf Saver Bags to critical sites, we are working with Gulf Response Involvement Team: The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, The Nature Conservancy, National Audubon Society, Barataria Terrebonne National Estuary Program with 30,000 registered volunteers, to transport the Gulf Saver Bags by work boats, barges, airboats and shallow draft boats. The volunteers will be involved every step of the delivery of Gulf Saver protection and restoration.

Where do your donation dollars go?

100% of the funds raised through donations to Gulf Savers go directly to Gulf Coast restoration.

Where are the Gulf Saver Bags going?

The Gulf Saver Bags are being deployed into threatened and damaged wetland marshes. The first sites have been identified within the Louisiana coastal area. Wetland sites are being identified across Mississippi to the Florida coastal areas, and will be deployed as funds are available.

How long does it take for the Gulf Saver Bags to breakdown?

Gulf Saver untreated burlap bags breakdown in 3-5 months.

What in the Gulf Saver Bags breakdown the oil?

In the totally natural, organic humus are oil eating microbes that accelerate the decomposition and breakdown of the hydrocarbons.

How do you know that Gulf Saver Bags will work?

From past experience using environmental restoration bags to successfully stabilize and prevent organic matter erosion and begin soil remediation.

How do you know that Gulf Saver Bags will work?

From past experience using environmental restoration bags to successfully stabilize and prevent organic matter erosion and begin soil remediation.

What are the short and long term impacts and effect of the bags?

The short term impacts and effects of Gulf Saver Bags is the prevention and protection further damage and loss of organic matter in the wetland marsh area and the "jump start" of the re-vegetation and restoration for long term sustainability of wetland native grasses.

How will Gulf Saver Bags fair in storm conditions?

In areas were additional stability and security is required Gulf Saver Bags are anchored with approved stakes when they are deployed to keep them in place. In some areas stakes provide the base for the creation of new oyster beds.

How are Gulf Saver Bags assembled?

All materials for the Gulf Saver Bags are provided by Gulf Coast located suppliers and are assembled by Volunteers.

What plant materials are used in Gulf Saver Bags?

The plant materials used in Gulf Saver Bags are native wetland grasses that are selected based on the requirements of the specific sites where restoration is being implemented.

Where does the plant material come from?

All plant material comes from Gulf Coast plant nurseries growing native wetland grasses.