McNeese Hosts Cajun Prairie Planting with Woodside Energy 

McNeese State University’s Biology Department, in partnership with Woodside Energy, hosted a Cajun Prairie planting event recently on the McNeese campus, bringing together students, faculty, corporate volunteers, and community members to help restore one of Louisiana’s most endangered ecosystems. 

The event is part of an ongoing initiative to expand the McNeese Cajun Prairie, a living prairie on campus that serves as both a conservation site and an outdoor classroom for hands-on learning. Participants included members of the McNeese faculty and student Biology Club, Woodside Energy employee volunteers, and community volunteers who worked side by side planting native grasses and wildflowers. 

The prairie expansion was first announced in June as part of a broader partnership between McNeese and Woodside Energy to support environmental education, native habitat restoration and student engagement in Southwest Louisiana. 

“This prairie is more than a planting project – it’s a living laboratory,” said Danielle Maxwell, biology instructor at McNeese. “It gives students a tangible connection to the landscapes of Southwest Louisiana and an opportunity to participate directly in conservation work that matters.” 

Once covering millions of acres across Louisiana, the Cajun Prairie has been reduced to less than one percent of its original range. These native grasslands provide critical habitat for insects, birds, and pollinators; support soil health; and play an important role in maintaining biodiversity. Restoring prairie landscapes also helps students better understand local ecology and conservation practices. 

“Projects like this demonstrate how education, industry, and community can come together to create lasting impact,” said Kate Griener, who works in community investment at Woodside Energy. “The Cajun Prairie is one of Louisiana’s quiet treasures, and by supporting this effort at McNeese, we hope to inspire stewardship and curiosity among students while helping preserve native ecosystems across our region.” 

Faculty from the McNeese Biology Department led the Woodside-sponsored planting effort, including Dr. Sarah Baker, Danielle Maxwell, and Dr. Justin Hoffman, along with Dr. Kathy Jackson, head of the Biology Department, and Dr. Nikos Kiritsis, dean of the College of Engineering. The project also benefitted from expertise and plant sourcing support from Robby Maxwell of Soggy Prairie Stalks and Seeds, The Acadiana Native Plant Project, and the Louisiana Native Seed Company. 

Additional community partners helped bring the event together, including Stine Lumber, and the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana, which facilitated Woodside’s contribution to the Cajun Prairie initiative. 

Organizers emphasized that the planting event marks the beginning of a long-term effort. As the prairie continues to grow and mature, McNeese plans to use the site for future coursework, research and community engagement. 

In Louisiana, restoration is a process that unfolds over time. With continued partnership and stewardship, the McNeese Cajun Prairie will serve as a lasting example of how collaboration can help bring native landscapes back to life.