Office of Student Life
Leadership and Community Engagement

Louisiana: Merry Green Marvel (Recommended for STEP Participants)

Supporting wetland restoration in Southern Louisiana 

Although open to all eligible students, this Buck-I-SERV trip was designed with STEP participants in mind. Due to the increased student participant fee, STEP students are encouraged to apply and utilize their STEP Fellowship for this experience.

Community Partner: Merry Green Marvel 

Trip Dates: March 14-21, 2026 

Location: New Orleans, Louisiana 

Number of Participants: 15 

Price: $1500 

Apply for a Buck-I-SERV Spring 2026 trip today! 

Included in participant fee: 

  • All logistical and travel expenses: Roundtrip transportation (including flights to and from New Orleans) and overnight lodging for entire week (Merry Green Marvel sleeper coach bus).
  • Merry Green Marvel program fees for facilitating week of service/alternative break experience. 
  • Buck-I-SERV supplies/swag: Individual items (t-shirts, water bottles, and pens for each group member) and group items (first aid kit, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, deck of playing cards, and thank you card for community partner).
  • Buck-I-SERV Events and Training: Spring Kick-Off and Welcome Back events with catering and pre-trip education and training 
  • Most meals and group activities will be provided. Although most meals will be covered, participants should plan to bring money for out of pocket expenses. 

Travel and Housing: 

  • Participants will fly to and from New Orleans, Louisiana. 
  • Upon arrival in New Orleans, participants will be picked up by the Merry Green Marvel sleeper coach bus which will provide both transportation and housing for the entire week. 

    • Please note that service housing provides a unique opportunity to build community and embrace simplicity, often staying in welcoming spaces like religious buildings or community centers. In this instance, participants will stay in the Merry Green Marvel sleeper coach bus. While accommodations may be rustic, making use of community kitchens and showers, and limited hot water for showers—they foster meaningful connections and a deeper focus on service and reflection.

  • A packing list will be provided to participants and discussed during pre-trip meetings leading up to departure. 

What to expect: 

  • Our work will primarily focus on wetland restoration with some work focusing on poverty and homelessness and youth support. 
  • This may include work planting cypress trees and wetland grasses, erosion mitigation, habitat restoration including invasive plant and debris removal, home building and rebuilds, food banks, shelters, and supporting after school programs. 
  • Wetland restoration work includes an educational workshop presented by local experts that explain the land loss issues facing Southern Louisiana and how that affects the whole Mississippi watershed. 
  • We emphasize a deep community and cultural immersion that includes a variety of service work but also a chance to meet and learn from an array of folks who share about the issues we are addressing in our service work and give us a personal doorway into the rich culture that is Southern Louisiana.