Green Corridors for East Baton Rouge Parish

A new perspective for and the public: Green Corridors for East Baton " Rouge Parish

by: Abdo, K., L. F. Forsyth, V. Gomez, A. Leake, S. C. LeBlanc, A. Omojola, R. H. Peele, T. Roussel, M. Shockey, and K. Vitello 2019 Green Corridors for East Baton Rouge Parish

Prepared with equal credit, authors listed alphabetically: Abdo,K. L. F. Forsyth V. Gomez A. Leake S. C. LeBlanc A. Omojola R. H. Peele T. Roussel M. Shockey K. Vitello

2019

A new perspective for wildlife and the public: Green Corridors for East Baton Rouge Parish. Report prepared for the East Baton Rouge City-Parish Government, Baton Rouge, La. Louisiana State University. OCS 4565.

Disclaimer This work is by students in OCS 4565 at Louisiana State University. The contents reflect the views of the authors, who are responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the East Baton Rouge Parish Government, or those of Louisiana State University. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation.

Green Corridors for East Baton Rouge Parish, 2019 http://city.brla.gov/gis/pdfs/EBRPGreenCorridors.pdf PROPOSED East Baton Rouge Wildlife and Corridors

Green Corridors for East Baton Rouge Parish

by: Abdo, K., L. F. Forsyth, V. Gomez, A. Leake, S. C. LeBlanc, A. Omojola, R. H. Peele, T. Roussel, M. Shockey, and K. Vitello

Baton Rouge 2019 Green Corridors for East Baton Rouge Parish

Table of Contents Executive Summary...... i 1. Introduction...... 2 2. Corridors: A Wildlife Perspective...... 3 Background...... 3 Corridor Types...... 4 ...... 5 Resident / Wildlife Interactions...... 6 Species Dispersal...... 7 Important Species...... 8 3. Cost Analysis: Wildlife Corridors...... 10 4. Corridors: Cost Analysis...... 11 Wildlife Vehicle Collision...... 11 Example 1...... 12 Example 2...... 13 5. Public Well-being Associated with Urban Green Spaces...... 14 6. East Baton Rouge Parish Health Statistics...... 15 7. Ecosystem Services...... 16 8. Environmental Justice Associated with Connective Green Spaces...... 17 9. Creating Green Corridors in East Baton Rouge Parish...... 18 Natural Drainage...... 18 Data Sources...... 19 The Way Forward...... 20 10. Acknowledgements...... 23 11. References...... 23 Appendix: Terms and definitions...... 24

iviv Green Corridors for East Baton Rouge Parish

Executive Summary “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing thta ever has” — Margaret Mead

Implementing green corridors in East Baton Rouge Parish (EBRP) is important not only for the health and prosperity of wildlife, but also for the people of EBRP. Having corridors as an overpass, underpass, or a continuous area of land connecting increases resource availability and pollination, decreases intra- and interspecies interactions, and the predation rate on other species. Corridors increase the movement of species, decrease the amount of roadkill and are cost-effective. A win-win for wildlife and people.

A different view of green corridors is about the health benefits and over all well-being for the people and EBRP, in general. Everything tends to work better together with corridors in place. There is improved physical and mental health, better air quality, reduced flooding, lower surface temperatures, and increased carbon sequestration. It is clear after reviewing the evidence that the implementation of connected Green Corridors is not only feasible, but also necessary. Most importantly are the attitudes of those who read this booklet to accept the idea of implementing corridors, which will result in a healthier EBRP for the wildlife and people.

Various maps and overlays were made to connect all of the selected BREC Parks, swamps, and conserva- tion areas with buffer areas around all the segments. We built a preliminary Proposed EBRP Wildlife and Habitat map (Figure 18) that could be used to build upon and to add to. Two enlarged examples of the potential connectivity are given. One is for the Amite River area and the other for the industrial area.

It is our hope that we have stimulated interest in pursuing a community effort to continue this project to completion, while there are still enough natural areas left. The data-rich mapping tools are here and the benefits of implementation are clear for natural systems and human co-inhabitants. We thoroughly hope that this initial work and proposed implementation will be met with acceptance and open minds. This is just the beginning to a new and brighter EBRP.

i Green Corridors for East Baton Rouge Parish

West Feliciana East Feliciana Parish Parish

St. Helena Parish

Key

East Baton Rouge BREC Parks Parish Swamp West Baton Rouge Conservation Area Parish LiDAR Elevation Value High

Low

r A e

v m Livingston Parish i i R t e " i p R p i i v s e is r s s i

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c ha nc Ascension Parish Ma Plaquemine Parish Ba you

Figure 1. The natural streams, swamps, conservation areas, and BREC Parks of East Baton Rouge Parish overlaid on a LiDAR, Digital Elevation Model. The darker colors are lower (and wetter).

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St. Helena Parish

1. Introduction Before colonial times the land in East Baton Rouge Parish and surrounding parishes (Figure 1) was dominated by pine flatwoods LiDAR Elevation Value and longleaf pine savannah (Stouffer 2006). However, land use practices inherent to colonization, such as agriculture and livestock management, urban development and sprawl, implementation of roadways and railways, and resource exploration and extraction, transformed this once continuous forested habitat into the current mosaic of fragmented habitats (The Wildlife Society 2017). affects humans, animals, and the environment. The problems arising from this nexus of people and land use is the basis for this proposal to implement a connected Green Corridors in East Baton Rouge Parish. For the purpose here a green corridor is defined as a natural or man-made passage that allows for the protection and enjoyment of . The corridor can be used for wildlife travel, human enjoyment, and structural improvement. We hope to present an effective case for corridor implementation here.

Ascension Parish

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2. Cost Analysis: Wildlife Corridors 2.1 Background Habitat fragmentation can cause a variety of consequences on wildlife in an ecosystem: limitations to dispersal and colonization, restrictions to food and mates, creation of smaller , increased interspecies and intraspecies interactions, and an overall decrease in species richness and diversity.

Fragmentation hinders an organism’s potential to disperse and colonize by creating barriers throughout its home ranges (Carroll et al. 2004). Some of these barriers can be naturally occurring, such as with the occurrence of the Mississippi River. Others can be man-made, seen in examples with the creation of and levees.

In addition species need to constantly move throughout their home Figure 2. A Squirrel tree frog. ranges and the barriers and resources are not spread out evenly Source: Hardin Waddle, National throughout an ecosystem; Many quadrupedal animal species, such Wetlands Research Center as the Squirrel tree frog (Figure 2) and bobcat (Figure 3), often will not cross short extents of open ground and avoid crossing roads, which represents a completely different environment than they are accustomed to because they fear being eaten by a predator (Laurance et al. 2009). This could lead to them overexploiting the patch they are in, leading to further degradation of the land (Gates Figure 3. A Bobcat. Bobcats find et al. 2012). It could also lead to reduced chances for reproduction. refuge in Louisiana’s pine forest. There are numerous studies about the effects of habitat fragmenta- Source: LSU Natural History Museum tion on avian species wherein it had been observed that living in forest fragments had lower chances of attracting a mate on smaller fragments (Faaborg et al. 1993). The smaller populations resulting from this fragmentation could lead to a reduction of due to the increased chances of , and eventual extinction of a species. For sessile species, such as , fragmentation could prevent pollinators from spreading widely and could, therefore, lead to a reduction in the plants’ ranges as well as their overall populations (Primack and Sher 2016).

One other consequence of habitat fragmentation is that it increases intra- and interspecies interactions. As land size decreases, resource availability decreases, and subsequent competition can occur among the same or different species. The rates of predation may also increase because prey are more exposed along the edge in a fragmented habitat than in the interior.

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Figure 4. An overpass crossing. Source: National Resources Conseervation Service (USDA)

2.2 Corridor Types There is hope to ameliorate the negative effects of habitat fragmentation on wildlife: corridors. Wildlife corridors are links of wildlife habitat that conjoin two or more larger areas of similar habitat. Common corridor types are:

• Crossings: overpasses or underpasses put in place to allow animals safe movement across barriers like roads (Figure 4); • Connective or landscape (Figure 5): continuous areas of natural land connecting habitats which offer sufficient cover for a safe journey from one core area to another; Stepping stones: a series of small, intervening patches between larger habitats which are used to find shelter, food, or to rest; Linear: long, uninterrupted strips of vegetation, such as , strips of forest, and the vegetation growing on banks of rivers and streams.

Figure 5. Different corridor types. Source: Ecological Circulation Systems (SICIREC) Source: SICIREC

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Figure 6. Severe automobile damage from a deer collision 19 July 2017, Schenley Park, PA. Source: Marcy Cunkelman

2.3 Roadkill The East Baton Rouge Parish mentation of wildlife corridors Animal Control reports that has been proven to reduce cases the most common instances of roadkill in the past. In Utah, a of roadkill in Baton Rouge are crosswalk system was created for

opossums, raccoons, and squirrels. local deer. After the first installa- Hitting animals while traveling tions were completed, 40% more to your destination can be a deer were able to cross the devastating (Figure 6), traumatic safely than before. With anoth- event for some, but the out- er case in the Mojave Desert in comes can be dangerous as well. Arizona, a conservation group was The most dangerous instances of able to reduce turtle road kill by roadkill in the Baton Rouge are 93% after installing fences on deer. Avoiding hitting roadkill can either side of the highway and cause accidents, injury, and cost a creating for the turtles

lot of money as a result of vehicle to travel through. (http://www. damage. hcn.org/issues/291/15268) Even small changes to current road Every day 1 million animals are infrastructure can result in huge killed on the road in the decreases in roadkill. Less roadkill United States. We did mention can stabilize ecosystems the most common types, but damaged by loss. there are many other animals For the citizens of East Baton that end up as roadkill. This Rouge Parish, this means less includes frogs, turtles, , unsightly roadkill on the roads, domesticated animals, and even a cleaner city, and a more stable critically can Baton Rouge ecosystem with a end up as roadkill. The imple- beautiful view of local .

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2.4 Resident / Wildlife Interactions

The Louisiana Department of licenses to private individuals Wildlife & Fisheries says that a who are approved by the disproportionate amount of all department for animal trapping. wildlife calls for East Baton Rouge A majority of animal trapping Parish come from coyote and fox cases are due to an ill animal sightings (Figure 7). which would warrant a necropsy and disease testing (including These calls sometimes require rabies). The addition of wildlife trapping the animals in order to corridors to East Baton Rouge keep them and residents of Parish would reduce the unwant- Baton Rouge safe. The LDWF ed interactions between these issues Nuisance Wildlife animals and residents, saving Control Operator (NWCO) time, money, and making Baton Rouge a safer place to live.

Figure 7. Highland/Kenilworth Fox Family’s Vixen sighted on Apr. 17, 2016 in East Baton Rouge Parish. Source: Steve Uffman

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Dispersal is when individuals or of a species move from one site to another. Species dispersal helps spread populations and spread genes. This in turn creates a larger gene pool, more diversity, and healthier populations (Figure 8). The decline of biodiversity in the past couple of decades has been mostly caused by habitat 2.5 Species Dispersal loss and habitat fragmentation, as well as degradation of habitat quality. Habitat fragmentation, such as fragmentation caused be deforestation and can lead to an overall reduction 15 in species population and poten-  tially local extinction of or 13 animal species. Plants and ani-  mals need a natural, sustainable 11 pathway to move and migrate in order to prevent either chances of 9  inbreeding or overexploitation of • prey. Corridors, especially those 7  • • related to drainage, are great Dispersal Inceases for species who need high levels 5 •  of dispersal. These include spe- 

Local Species Richness •  cies such as frogs, salamanders, 3 •   snakes, skinks, and alligators. More    diverse genes will help frog and   1  salamander populations thrive and 1 6 11 16 be better at adapting to environ- Regional Species Richness mental stressors. These animals are also important for the local food chain, providing food for Figure 8. The relationship between local and regional species rich- fish, birds, foxes, as well as many ness for different values of dispersal between communities. Species animals needed to maintain a richness is the number of different species represented in an ecologi- healthy local ecosystem. Some of cal community. Local and regional species richness increases as the them eat mosquitoes. level of dispersal increases. Source: Mouquet and Loreau (2003).

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The Baton Rouge area has at least 8 endangered plant species such as the Dwarf Filmy-fern (Trichomanes petersii), Powdery Thalia (Thalia dealbata), Elliott Sida (Sida elliottii), and Silky Camellia (Stewartia malacoden- dron) whose populations could benefit from seed dispersal via wildlife corridors (Figure 9).

Baton Rouge also has many important species of amphib- ians such as frogs, toads, and salamanders (Figure 10) that are important to the local ecosystem and could benefit greatly from the addition of wildlife corridors.

If wildlife corridors were imple- Figure 9. Image of the Dwarf mented correctly in East Baton Filmy-fern (top left), Powdery Rouge Parish, then the increased Thalia (top right), Silky Camelia plant and animal movement (bottom left), and Elliot Sida would have many positive effects (bottom right). on plant populations and com- munity interactions in the local area. Corridors would promote ecosystem health, making East Baton Rouge Parish a beautiful, 2.6 Important Species healthy place for people to live.

Figure 10. Image of Marbled Salamander (upper left), Gray Treefrog (upper right), Three- lined Salamander (bottom left), and Southern Leopard Frog (bottom right).

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9 Green Corridors for East Baton Rouge Parish

3. Cost Analysis: Wildlife Corridors Vehicles are an essential part in the daily lives of many citizens in the United States and the risk that we take each day we get on the road is significant. A 2008 report to Congress estimated that 1 to 2 million collisions involving large animals occur every year (Huijser et al., 2008). This is but one of the many risks out on the road today. With over 242 million registered vehicles in the U. S., collisions with animals are bound to happen (DOT, 2010). Of those 242 million, 4 million registered vehicles are in Louisiana (DOT, 2010).

Animal collisions can cause severe monetary damages as well as a great deal of human injury. The cost associated with wildlife vehicle collision was estimated to be a total of $8,388,000,000 per year with deer being the largest contributor to this data set (Huijser et al., 2008). The data includes the following cost: vehicle repair, medical cost, towing and law enforcement services, monetary value of the animal and carcass removal and disposal. Fatalities were also taken into consideration which were estimated to be 200 deaths every year from wildlife vehicle collisions (Huijser et al., 2008). In a 2014 press release it was approximated that 9,793 vehicle deer collisions were reported in Louisiana (Ark LA Miss News, 2014). Based on the estimates from the report to Congress in 2008 by Huijser and company that would be a total of $82,143,684, equal to $8,388 per collision.

Table 1. Summary of the estimated cost of wildlife vehicle collision (Huijser et al. 2008).

Description Deer Elk Moose Vehicle repair costs per collision $1,840 $3,000 $4,000 Human injuries per collision $2,702 $5,403 $10,807 Human fatalities per collision $1,671 $6,683 $13,366 Towing, accident attendance and investigation $125 $375 $500 Monetary value animal per collision $2,000 $3,000 $2,000 Carcass removal and disposal per collision $50 $100 $100 Total $8,388 $18,561 $30,773

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4. Corridors: Cost Analysis 4.1 Wildlife Vehicle Collision The cost that is most often seen by an individual involved with the collision with wildlife is likely only the vehicle repair cost, human in- jury, and towing, accident attendance and investigation (Figure 11). These are the upfront costs of an incident. Fatal crashes involving wildlife collisions do occur, but were a relatively low 0.6% in 2008 across the U.S. (Sullivan, 2011); and so we leave that value out in the calculation below, in order to give a more representative cost of such an incident. The total upfront cost for wildlife collision is $4,667 per collision. That would sum up to $45,703,931 in cost for deer collisions in Louisiana during 2014. The biggest cost being human injuries which may only be represented as a monetary amount; but, as an individual, injury sustained from crashes can be much more than any monetary value imposed upon it.

It is apparent that wildlife collisions do have a substantial cost that would be preferable to avoid. That may be easier said that done, when out on the road coming face-to-face with a rogue animal causally stepping out in front of your vehicle. However, there are ways to deter animals from crossing busy roadways to their next feeding grounds or preferred habitat. One such effective method would be the creation of wildlife corridors which serve as crossing areas. These green areas would be used as bridges between habitats that were fragment by the constructions of roads, buildings, and other urban structures. The conservation of green areas is yet another application of this corridor ‘bridge’ approach; where instead of creating a structure, urban planners simply protect existing areas that serve as natural corridors to neighboring land.

Deer Collision Costs per Incident Carcas removal & disposal Monetary value per animal Vehicle repair

Towing, accident attendance & investigation

Human injury Human fatality

Figure 11. Break down of total cost associated from deer collisions in the U.S

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4.2 Example 1 Highway 93 – 10-mile summit between Wells and Contact, Nevada:

The effectiveness of two structures, 10-Mile Summit and HD Summit, were evaluated along Hwy 93, between Wells and Contact, Nevada. Both locations were used by a wide range of species; but the successful crossings of , as well as their mortalities in areas with crossing structures and exclusionary fencing, were specifically studied. These wildlife corridors were constructed due to US Hwy 93 being a ‘hotspot’ for animal-vehicle collisions. The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) and Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) documented along the 20-mile stretch of Hwy 93 that 75-150 known deer are killed per year and estimated a total of roughly 300 deer are killed annually (NDOT 2006). Deer-vehicle collisions are greatest during the two mule deer migration periods and result in property damage, human injuries, and in some cases, human fatalities. Other deer-vehicle collision issues include, vehicle repair costs, costs related with human injuries and deaths, towing, incident attendance and investigation, and economic value of deer per collision. In Table 2, the Total Collison Cost avoided (benefit) is recorded at $3,174,701, with a Total construction cost of the wildlife corridors at $2,460,755, resulting in a Benefit-Cost Ratio of 1.58 (Stewart 2015).

Table 2. Estimated average cost of vehicle collisions with deer (Stewart 2015).

Description Deer-Vehicle Collision Costs

Damage Cost (direct cost) (2011) $7,625 2003 Utah data adjusted to 2011 $1,941 Value of deer in Nevada (2011) $4,990 2011 value of hunters’ travel, food, lodging, equipment, etc. $694 Injury Cost (in direct cost) (2011) $91,092 Fatality Cost (fixed cost) (2011) $3,068,359 Total Collision Costs $3,174,701

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4.3 Example 2 There were significantly more animals using the 10-Mile Summit overpass crossing, compared to its underpass at the same location, as well as both the overpass and underpass at HD Summit. On the other hand, underpasses are still considered important for connectivity and reducing vehicle collisions because of wildlife. Their observations found that multiple crossing structures are considerably more desirable along a large section of highway instead of a single crossing structure (Sawyer et al. 2012). The cost of an overpass structure can be 2-3 times greater than an underpass depending on certain factors (NDOT 50% 30% Mule Deer 2006), but the calculated benefit-cost ratio reveals it is economically No wildlife warranted. In Table 3, the Total Construction Cost of the 10-Mile Summit wildlife structure proves it is economically justified compared to the Total Collison Cost in Table 1. Other than cost, the construction of wildlife corridors reduces wildlife mortality rates, automobile damage, and minimizes or removes human injuries or potential fatalities, making the increased cost of overpass crossing structures practical on its own (Stewart 2015).

The data collection effort involved using 16 cameras throughout 8 migration periods at crossing structures and outputs of the exclusion- 20% Various Species ary fencing. A variety of wildlife alongside mule deer were recorded using the crossing structures (Figure 12). There was a documented Figure 12. More than 1,000,000 photos were 35,369 mule deer that successfully crossed over or through 1 of the 5 collected of either no wildlife, other species, structures during all 8 migratory periods from 2010- or mule deer successfully crossing wildlife 2014. A total of 30,259 mule deer crossed at 10 Mile Summit and structures. 5,110 mule deer crossed at HD Summit. There were 14 total mortalities within 2.4 km of fencing at the north and south ends and an observed decrease of 50% in mule deer mortalities with each successive migration (Stewart 2015).

Table 3. Construction and maintenance at 10-Mile Summit on Hwy 93 (Stewart 2015). Description Construction Costs of 10-Mile Summit

Overpass $2,018,000 Backfill and top spoil $112,085 Fencing and vegetation $196,150 Maintenance (annual; $3,363 X 40) $135,520 Total $2,460,755

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5. Public Well-being Associated with Urban Green Spaces

Green Spaces are a critical part of city development for several reasons. One of those being the benefits they provide to human health and well-being. Studies have found that proximity to nature can improve one’s general mood, reduce stress, improve mental health, mindfulness, and creativity, as well as increase interpersonal relationships ( 2017). The origins of Green Space benefits began with Roger Ulrich, a researcher in Health Sciences. He found that patients admitted to a room with a view of the park or trees spent fewer days in the hospital and were on fewer pain medications than those patients who did not have a “green” view (USDA 2018).

While there are many health benefits associated with Urban Green Spaces, most of these benefits happen simultaneously. For exam- ple, an improvement in air quality due to the increase in vegetation can improve a person’s respiratory health, while at the same time providing a better environment for active lifestyles outdoors (USDA).

In addition to health benefits, Green Spaces also provide avenues for indirect improvements in overall human well-being, such as improve- ments in air quality, surface temperatures, carbon sequestration, and reduction (Figure 13; University of LEEDS 2018).

Public Well-being

Stress Improved Improved Ecosystem Reduction Mental Health Physical Health Services

Reduced Flood Improved Reduced Surface Carbon Impacts Air Quality Temperatures Sequestration

Figure 13. Concept map relating human health benefits associated with Green Spaces and the environmental conditions and benefits for humans.

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6. East Baton Rouge Parish Health Statistics

Figure 14 shows the percentage of common health problems in East Baton Rouge Parish. These health risks will decrease with the implementation of a connected Green Spaces initiative, creating a healthier Parish. According to the 2017 Health Report card, the state of Louisiana ranks 42nd in the nation for people diagnosed with diabetes. The average is 15% higher than the national average. In addition to common health risks that plague the nation, Louisiana has also ranked 27th in the nation for self-harm related deaths, which is 11.6% higher than the Nation. As noted earlier, Green Spaces have been linked to reduce depression and promote healthier lifestyles which, in turn, reduces the risk of disease, depression, and other health afflictions (USDA 2018; Wilson 2018). It is well established that longeivity in urban areas is lengthened by the availability of green space, especially as walking spaces (Takano et al. 2002; Riggs et al. 2018). 13% Diabetes

26% Depression

14% Asthma 43% Overweight 4% Heart Attack

Figure 14. East Baton Rouge health statistics for 2017.

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7. Ecosystem Services • Reduced flooding impacts to urban areas during extreme weather events such as flooding • Positive relationship to Public well-being (Figure 15) • Air Quality improvement: ❑ Hotter areas tend to have higher levels of air pollution, but Green Spaces are cooler and decrease airborne particulate matter ❑ Better access for biking/ walking which decreases the number of vehicles on the road and reduces the amount of hazardous gases and particulates released ❑ The Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect is reduced, even by small areas of green spaces, lowering tempera-

tures and the incidence of heat related illnesses

Source: Braubach et al. 2017 Figure 15. Greenwood Park. In wildness is the" Source: BREC Greenwood Community Park preservation of the world - Henry" David Thoreau

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September 10, 2010 1:5,975,317 0 50 100 200 mi

Figure 16. The location of US EPA Superfund sites for Louisiana. 0 80 160 320 km There is a high concentration of sites in East Baton Rouge Parish. Sources: Esri, USGS, NOAA Source: US Environmental Protection Agency Sources: Esri, Garman, USGS, NPS Generated from: Cleanups in My Community. Data above is the date map was printed.

Urban Green Spaces provide of environmental laws, regulations, numerous avenues for improved and policies.” Deprived areas are human health and well-being; no stranger to a lack of environ- but, these benefits are often mental justice in of Baton Rouge. 8. Environmental unequally distributed (Braubach Most superfund sites are in lower et al. 2017). Areas of lower income neighborhoods or along Justice Associated income often suffer the conse- major waterways such as the quences of high urbanization. Mississippi River (Figure 16). with Connective This economic divide is further This area alone has been called aggravated with the lack of Cancer Alley, in reference to Green Spaces connectivity and access to the high degradation of the healthy urban green spaces. environment from industrial The U.S. Environmental Protection and urban use (Adeola 2000). Agency defines environmental By creating a better environment justice as the “fair treatment and for environmental justice, meaningful involvement of all Baton Rouge could improve both people regardless of race, social connectivity and wealth color, national origin, or income, discrepancies. with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement

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9. Creating Green Corridors in East Baton Rouge Parish 9.1 Natural drainage

The natural drainage system the older Pleistocene uplands to is the obvious first choice to the younger Holocene Mississippi consider when deciding where River floodplains. Our parish is to propose wildlife corridors, bounded on the West by the because wildlife need access to “Mighty” Mississippi River, on water and waterways are largely the East by the Amite River, and wooded even today. The natural on the South by historic Bay- overland drainage system is re- ou Manchac. All of the natural vealed in the Lidar image in Figure drainage system of East Baton 17. This topographic map reveals Rouge Parish drains into one of the natural physical geography these three waterways. of East Baton Rouge Parish from Figure 17. The physical geography of East Baton Rouge Parish and surrounding regions. West Feliciana East Feliciana Parish Parish St. Helena Parish

East Baton Rouge Parish Livingston Parish

A

r e m

v i i t " West R e Baton Rouge i R p i v Parish p i e s r is Value s s i High ac M nch Ma Low Ba you Ascension Parish

0 1.25 2.5 5 7.5 10 kilometers Imagery Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, Plaquemine Parish AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community

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West Feliciana Parish

9.2 Data Sources Mr. Fred Raiford, Director of the Department of Transportation and Drainage for the City of Baton Rouge, steered us to the GIS Manager for the City of Baton Rouge, Mr. Warren Kron. Mr. Kron for provid- ing access to all available data requested and provided links to the new EBRP Open GIS Data Portal (https://data-ebrgis.opendata.arcgis. com/) from which we downloaded all of the GIS data layers that we thought we might need. From these data layers the following layers were useful for developing wildlife habit and corridors.

• Stream Segments: These data represent the centerlines of streams. We needed to create buffer polygons around these line segments to create proposed “wildlife habitat and corridors”. • Swamps: These data represent the swamp areas within the parish and are clearly wildlife habitat. These data could be used as they are as “wildlife habitat and corridors”. • BREC Parks: Each park needed to be reviewed for suitability. Satellite imagery was used to evaluate each park. Those parks that are wooded and adjacent to stream buffers were select- ed for “wildlife habitat and corridors”. Those parks that are wooded and not adjacent to stream buffers were selected for “wildlife habitat”. Parks that were not wooded or were clearly sports parks or neighborhood parks were considered not suit- able and therefore, not selected. • EBRP Conservation Areas: Each Conservation Area needed to be reviewed for suitability. Satellite imagery was used to evaluate each park. Those conservation areas that are wooded and adjacent to stream buffers were selected for “wildlife habitat and corridors”. Those conservation areas that contain both wooded areas and residential or commercial/industrial areas were selected and attributed as “needs editing” for suitability. • EBRP Watershed Sinks: Because the watershed sinks cover such large areas that are already developed, the GIS data file will require extensive editing before becoming useful. These data include large wooded areas that would be quite suitable for “wildlife habitat and corridors”.

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West Feliciana East Feliciana Parish Parish

St. Helena Parish

Key Swamp BREC Parks Wildlife Habitat & Corridor

East EBR Conservation Areas Baton Rouge Parish Wildlife Habitat & Corridor Suitable if Edited

EBR Watershed Sinks Wildlife Habitat & Corridor Riparian Buffers (15m) Wildlife Habitat & Corridor

West Baton Rouge Parish " Livingston Parish

Ascension Parish

0 1.25 2.5 5 7.5 10 kilometers SImageryource: E Source:sri, Digi tEsri,alGl oDigitalGlobe,be, GeoEye, GeoEye,Earthsta rEarthstar Geogra pGeographics,hics, CNES/A CNES/Airbusirbus DS, US DS,DA, USDA,USGS ,USGS, AEX, GAEX,etm aGetmapping,pping, Aerog rAerogrid,id, IGN, IG IGN,P, sw IGP,isst oswisstopo,po, and th eand GI Sthe U sGISer C Useromm Communitycorridorsunity Figure 18. Proposed EBRP Wildlife Corridors and Habitat map. The Proposed EBRP Wildlife Coridors and Habitat map (Figure 18) presents the BREC Parks and EBRP Conservation Areas that 9.3 The Way Forward were considered suitable or to become suitable if edited. A small amount of suitable The proposed strategy is to Watershed Sinks and the connect all of the selected BREC connecting 15-meter steam Parks, swamps, and conservation buffers are also presented. The proposed strategy areas with buffer areas around all All together we see a substantial is to connect all of the the stream segments. Fifteen- network of wildlife habitat areas interconnected by stream selected BREC Parks, meter buffers were considered most appropriate for all drainage buffers; but, we can also see swamps, and conservation reaches. Larger buffers could be significant forested areas that areas with buffer areas used along some streams. are not included in the proposal. around all the stream We created additional stream These areas may also be suitable for wildlife habitat. Many of segments. buffers, 30-meters, 50-meters, and 100-meters, from which these forested areas are individual polygons can be contained within the selected for inclusion. watershed sinks polygons.

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A closer look (Figure 19) reveals examples of potential forested connectivity between existing GIS polygons in this Amite River area. This map also reveals the need for editing some EBRP Conservation Areas to capture more suitable wildlife habitat and corridors. In these conservation areas we see forested potential habitat as well as residential subdivisions which are not suitable. We propose includ- ing the forested areas, while eliminating the residential subdivisions. Many of these areas could be included by editing the EBRP Water- shed Sinks data creating polygons to add to the habitat and corridors data.

Figure 19. Proposed EBRP Wildlife Habitat and Corridors for an Amite River area.

Key

Riparian Buffers (15m) Wildlife Habitat & Corridor BREC Parks Wildlife Habitat & Corridor

EBR Conservation Areas Wildlife Habitat & Corridor Suitable if Edited

East Baton Rouge Parish "Livingston Parish

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21 Green Corridors for East Baton Rouge Parish

A close-up look at an industrial area (Figure 20) reveals EBRP Conservation areas that would be suitable (if edited). It also shows a sample of edited EBRP watershed sinks that enhance the stream buffers to provide wildlife corridors connecting habitats in an area that has an urgent need for wildlife protection.

The proposed EBRP Wildlife Habitat and Corridors map (Figure 18) and associated GIS data are intended as the beginning of an effort to establish a network of interconnected, protected wildlife habitat and corridors throughout East Baton Rouge Parish. It is our hope that we have stimulated interest in pursuing a community effort to continue this project to completion, while there are still enough natural areas left.

Figure 20. Proposed EBRP Wildlife Habitat and Corridors for an Industrial Area.

Key " Riparian Buffers (15m) Wildlife Habitat & Corridor BREC Parks Wildlife Habitat & Corridor

EBR Conservation Areas Wildlife Habitat & Corridor Suitable if Edited

EBR Watershed Sinks Wildlife Habitat & Corridor

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22 Green Corridors for East Baton Rouge Parish

11. References Adeola, F. O. 2000. Endangered community, enduring people, toxic contamination, health, and adaptive responses in a local context. Environment and Behavior 32:209-249. Braubach, M., A. Egorov, P. Mudu, T. Wolf, C. W. Thompson, and M. Martuzzi 2017. Effects of urban green space on environmen- 10. tal health, equity and resilience. In: Kabisch N., Korn H., Stadler Acknowledgments J., Bonn A. (eds.), Nature-Based Solutions to Climate Change Adaptation in Urban Areas. Theory and Practice of Urban We thank the following for Sustainability Transitions. Springer. interviews and follow-up emails as they graciously answered Carroll, C., R. F. Noss, P. C. Paquet, and N. H. Schumaker 2004. questions, prodded, provided Extinction debt of protected areas in developing landscapes. guidance and advice, and asked 18:1110-1120. questions in a very open way. Deer Collisions on the Rise in Louisiana 2014. Ark LA Miss News. myarklamiss.com Mary Fontenot, Department of Development, East Baton Rouge Animal Control – phone call with authors, City of Baton Rouge, LA Fall 2018. Warren Kron, Faaborg, J., M. Brittingham, T. Donovan, and J. Blake 1993. Habitat GIS Manager, fragmentation in the temperate zone: a perspective for manag- City of Baton Rouge, LA ers. General Technical Report RM-229, Fort Collins, CO. Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, U.S. Dept. of Lisa Pond, Agriculture, United States Forest Service pp. 331-338. Louisiana Geological Survey, Louisiana State University, Gates, C. C., P. Jones, M. Suitor, A. Jakes, et al. 2012. The influence Baton Rouge, LA of land use and fences on habitat effectiveness, movements and distribution of in the grasslands of North America. Fred Raiford, Director, Pp. 277-294 in M. J. Somers and M. W. Hayward (eds.), Fencing Dept. Transportation & Drainage​ for Conservation. Springer, New York City, New York, USA. City of Baton Rouge​, LA Highway Statistics Series 2010. U.S. Department of Transportation/ Kathy Stites, Federal Highway Administration. Updated 2014. fhwa.dot.gov Landscape Architect & Trail Huijser, M. P., P. McGowen, J. Fuller, A. Hardy, A. Kociolek, Planner, BREC, A. P. Clevenger, D. Smith, and R. Ament 2008. Baton Rouge​, LA Wildlife-Vehicle Collision Reduction Study: Report to Congress. Amanda Takacs, FHWAHRT-08-034. Federal Highway Administration, Conservation Department Washington, D. C. Naturalist, BREC, Laurance, W. F., M. Goosem, and S. G. W. Laurance 2009. Impacts of Baton Rouge​, LA roads and linear clearings on tropical forests. Trends in Ecology & Amy Wold, Evolution 24:659-679. Inveterate Holder of the Pen, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries - from Melissa Collins The Water Institute of the Gulf, via email Baton Rouge, LA Mouquet, N., and M. Loreau 2003. Community patterns in source- Dr. Sabrina Taylor sink metacommunities. The American Naturalist 162:544-557. LSU AgCenter Primack, R. B., and A. Sher 2016. An Introduction to Conservation Louisiana State University, Biology. Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, Massachusetts, USA. Baton Rouge, LA Riggs, D. W., R., A. Yeager, and A. Bhatnagar 2018. Defining the human envirome: An omics approach for assessing the envi- ronmental risk of cardiovascular disease. Circulation Research 122(9):1259–1275.

23 Green Corridors for East Baton Rouge Parish

Stewart, K. M. 2015. Effectiveness of wildlife crossing structures to minimize collisions with Mule Deer and other wildlife in Nevada. Nevada Department of Transportation, Carson City, NV. Report No. 101-10-803. Stouffer. P. C. 2006. Longleaf pine forests: wildlife of Louisiana’s threatened grasslands. Louisiana agriculture 49(2):16-19. Sullivan, J. M. 2011. Trends and characteristics of animal-vehicle collisions in the United States. Journal of Safety Research 42(1):9-16. Takano, T., K Nakamura, M Watanabe 2002. Urban residential environments and senior citizens’ longevity in megacity areas: The importance of walkable green spaces. Journal of Epidemiological and Community Health 56:913–918 The SICIREC Group. 2009. Ecological corridors and biodiversi- Appendix: ty. http://www.sicirec.org/definitions/corridors. Accessed 02/09/2019. Terms & definitions The Wildlife Society. 2017. Fact Sheet: Habitat Loss and BREC - Recreation and Park Fragmentation. http://wildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/ Commission for the Parish of East 05/FactSheet-Fragmentation_FINAL.pdf. Accessed 02/09/2019. Baton Rouge, formed in 1946. University of Leeds 2018. A Brief Guide to the Benefits of Urban EBRP - East Baton Rouge Parish, Green Spaces. Leeds, U.K. which is governed by the City of U. S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service 2018. Urban nature Baton Rouge City-Parish for human health and well-being: A research summary for Government, Baker, Central, and communicating the health benefits of urban trees and Zachary. green space. FS-1096. Washington, D. C. 24 p. GIS - Geographical Information Wakeling, B. F., J. W. Gagnon, D. D. Olson, D. W. Lutz, System T. W. Keegan, J. M. Shannon, A. Holland, A. Lindbloom, and C. Schroeder 2015. Mule Deer and Movement Barriers. Ha - hectare; 1 ha = 2.47 acres Mule Deer Working Group, Western Association of Fish and m - meter; 1 m = 3.28 feet Wildlife Agencies, U.S.A. Wilson, N., and L. Snow 2018. Annual Health Report Card pixel - the smallest size on a (pp. 1-109) (United States, Louisiana Department of Health, screen or map which the image Office of Public Health). is composed of. Wolf, K. 2017. The health benefits of small parks and green spaces. Parks and Recreation Magazine 52(4):28-29. https://www.nrpa. org/parks-recreation-magazine/2017/april/the-health-benefits- of-small-parks-and-green-spaces Accessed 19 November 2018. Websites: https://wp.natsci.colostate.edu/findingporpoise/wildlife- corridors-a-solution-to-ending-roadkill/ http://www.pnas.org/content/99/20/12923 http://canps.weebly.com/rare-and-endangered-plants-of-greater- baton-rouge.html http://www.louisianaherps.com/east-baton-rouge-parish/ https://www.fs.fed.us/research/urban-webinars/green-heart-project/

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left to right: Valentin Gomez, R. Hampton Peele, Trevor Roussel, Sarah Catherine LeBlanc, Kareem Abdo, Anna Omojola, Matthew Shockey, Kenneth Vitello, Leah Forsyth, Alexandria Leake Green Corridors for East Baton Rouge Parish

A new perspective for wildlife and the public: Green Corridors for East Baton Rouge Parish