Wetland Resources Wins 2015 Water Challenge

King, Krebs & Jurgens congratulates Wetland Resources, a company that plants trees to protect Louisiana's coastline. A panel of judges including Henry King named the startup's founders, Gary Shaffer and Demetra Kandalepas, as the Water Challenge winners for 2015. Wetland Resources is currently developing a new type of cypress "sleeve" -- a device that protects young trees from nutria while also making seedlings easier to plant. Pictured, left, are Demetra, Gary, Water Challenge lead mentor Mike Eckert, and Henry King.

The Water Challenge is a 12-week mentorship and peer learning program focused on solving critical water challenges through entrepreneurship. On March 23, a full day of programming was held focusing on entrepreneurial opportunities within the local water economy. King, Krebs & Jurgens provided pro bono legal counseling to participating entrepreneurs during the course of the Water Challenge program, and for the second year will award free legal services and free office space for one year to the pitch competition winner.

Last year’s Water Challenge winner, Tyler Ortego of ORA Estuaries, sells the OysterBreak™, a structure designed to use an oyster’s inherent nature of clustering and shell building to further coastal protection. These structures are made of OysterKrete®, a marine-grade, cement-based material designed specifically to grow oysters. King, Krebs & Jurgens has enjoyed sharing our office space with Tyler and ORA Estuaries over the past year, and wishes him great success as he competes in “The Big Idea” pitch, which closes out New Orleans Entrepreneur Week on March 27.

King, Krebs & Jurgens is pleased to sponsor New Orleans Entrepreneur Week 2015, celebrating business, innovation, and advanced thinking in New Orleans.