Leila Porter and Sofia Patu, past officers of the Sanima Future Farmers of America chapter, presented the chapter’s "Coastal Heroes" project to the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board.

Porter told the board the students worked with Restore or Retreat and several state partners to plant more than 8,000 native plants—black mangroves, smooth cordgrass and sand oaks—on West Grand Terre Barrier Island, restore about 12 acres of habitat and contribute roughly 296 volunteer hours. She said the project also offered career exposure to environmental engineering, coastal management and marine biology for participating students.

Polly Glover, a project coordinator with Restore or Retreat, introduced the students and noted the project connected in‑class learning with hands‑on restoration. Board members, including Dwayne Bourgeois and Tony Alford, praised the students and encouraged outreach to involve additional schools.

Porter framed the work as both environmental conservation and community building: "We became coastal restoration heroes," she told the board. The board invited the students to continue engagement at CPRA facilities and events.