Posted on September 11, 2026
The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) announced that the Queen Bess Island Restoration Project has been selected as a 2026 Best Restored Shore by the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA), recognizing the project’s success in restoring critical coastal habitat and benefiting natural resources impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
ASBPA selected five projects nationwide for its 2026 Best Restored Shore Award, which recognizes outstanding natural infrastructure restoration projects that restore natural resources, enhance habitat, increase shoreline resilience, and provide long-term benefits to coastal communities.
“This award is a testament to what Louisiana can accomplish when we put restoration dollars to work with a clear vision and a commitment to our coastal resources,” said CPRA Chairman Gordon “Gordy” Dove. “Queen Bess Island is an important part of Louisiana’s coastal ecosystem, and its restoration is helping protect critical habitat for generations of birds while strengthening the resilience of our coast. We are proud to see this Louisiana project recognized on the national stage.”
Located near Grand Isle in Jefferson Parish, Queen Bess Island is an important nesting site for brown pelicans and other colonial waterbirds. Years of erosion and subsidence had significantly reduced the island’s available nesting habitat.
Completed in 2020, the Queen Bess Island Restoration Project increased the abundance and quality of nesting habitat. The project included placing material to expand and elevate the island, improving the existing protective rock ring, breakwaters, bird ramps, and habitat plantings designed to improve the island’s long-term stability and ecological function.
The project was funded through the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resources Damage Assessment settlement and implemented through a partnership among CPRA, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), federal trustees, and other partners.
“Queen Bess Island demonstrates what is possible when Louisiana combines science, engineering, and strong partnerships, like ours with Wildlife and Fisheries, to restore our coast,” said CPRA Executive Director Michael Hare. “The project has transformed a severely degraded island into thriving habitat for brown pelicans and other colonial waterbirds. Its success reflects the dedication of the many partners who worked to restore this important natural resource.”
ASBPA noted that the project exceeded its habitat restoration and bird-nesting goals, with monitoring demonstrating significant benefits to avian communities most impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The project is also the first complete restoration project on an active brown pelican colony in the Northern Gulf of America.
“As ASBPA celebrates its centennial year, these award-winning projects serve as a reminder that shore & beach preservation is an ongoing effort,” said Nicole Elko, Executive Director of ASBPA. “The challenges facing our shorelines continue to evolve, and these projects highlight the importance of investing in solutions that will benefit future generations.”
The 2026 Best Restored Shore recipients will be recognized during ASBPA’s National Coastal Conference Centennial Celebration, October 5 – 8, 2026, in Atlantic City.
