Cajun Coral to Reduce Erosion in South Lafourche
South Lafourche Installing LeveeGuard ExoForms, Known as Cajun Coral, Along the Levee
GOLDEN MEADOW, La. (press release) – The South Lafourche Levee District is partnering with Shell to implement a new approach to levee protection, Cajun Coral, at Second Turn in Golden Meadow, to strengthen long-term coastal resilience.
In partnership with Natrx, a resilience and restoration technology company, and Danos, a family-owned energy services provider, the South Lafourche Levee District is installing 233 custom-engineered LeveeGuard ExoForms along the levee.
These ExoForms, also known as Cajun Coral, are modular structures designed to reduce erosion and support habitat creation.
Organizers share that, together, Natrx and Danos coordinated project logistics, including manufacturing and installation, helping move the project from concept to execution efficiently and at scale.
How Cajun Coral Can Revolutionize Levee Protection
Natrx’s LeveeGuard ExoForms (Cajun Coral) are modular, habitat-positive erosion resilience structures custom-designed to meet South Lafourche’s specific budget, performance and installation requirements while creating a scalable solution that can be deployed across future levee and coastal protection projects.
The structures require no maintenance and are engineered to grow stronger over time by slowing water speeds and supporting the natural accumulation of sediment, vegetation and marine life.
“We’re incredibly proud to see Louisiana-developed technology playing a role in protecting Louisiana communities,” said Natrx CEO Leonard Nelson. “Coastal restoration has long relied on approaches that are expensive, temporary and difficult to scale. Through projects like Second Turn, South Lafourche Levee District and Shell are demonstrating that innovative, habitat-positive infrastructure can change how coastal restoration is done in this state.”
“Traditional levee protection and coastal restoration methods are incredibly costly and often require repeated rock and sediment placement that eventually erodes away,” said Executive Director of the South Lafourche Levee District Nic Matherne. “Thanks to our partnership with Shell, we are able to test data-driven monitoring so we can break that cycle, gain measurable insight into performance and make smarter long-term decisions.”
Coastal Coral, Provided by Natrx
“This project has the potential to revolutionize how we approach levee protection and coastal restoration as these LeveeGuard ExoForm structures can be installed quickly using Danos’ local expertise and serve as the foundation for a shared digital intelligence system that allows all project partners to learn and improve outcomes over time,” said Matherne.
With Shell’s backing, the South Lafourche Levee District was able to double its efforts at Second Turn. The project tracks how well the system reduces erosion, builds sediment and supports habitat growth.
Natrx’s technology also uses environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling, a method used to study ecosystem health, to better understand how the structures impact local biodiversity.
“We’re honored to partner on a project that directly solves a challenge in our community,” said Owner and CEO of Danos Ventures Eric Danos. “Protecting our coast means protecting our way of life in South Louisiana, and we’re honored to support solutions that strengthen our communities for the future.”
