I'm a wearable assemblage artist who works with found objects and natural materials in New Orleans. In May, 2009, I received a mini-grant from the state of Louisiana to create a new fashion market for nutria fashions and accessories using the brand name Righteous Fur. Though the clothing line is not yet available for sale, I'm delighted to offer the Righteous Fur collection of nutria teeth jewelry capped with Balinese silver.
RIGHTEOUS FUR FAQ
What are nutria?
Imported to Louisiana and other states from Argentina in the 1930s, these semi-aquatic rodents were initially raised on fur farms for their lustrous pelts. When a few escaped into the wild, their population exploded into an invasive army that destroys wetlands by eating marsh grasses and burrowing into levees and bayousides.
How much damage do they do?
A lot. Although damage is down due to the success of the state's Coastwide Nutria Control Program, which pays a $5 bounty for the tails of captured nutria, the marsh-munchers continue to impact over 23,000 acres of coastal wetlands each year.
Why is Righteous Fur guilt-free?
Currently, 89% of nutria are simply destroyed after capture. Recycling their pelts and teeth into useful and fashionable apparel encourages bounty hunters to increase their nutria yield, decreasing damage to the wetlands. Also, a portion of all profits goes to the Barataria-Terrebonne Estuary Foundation, which works to restore our vanishing coast.
By supporting Righteous Fur, you are helping to save Louisiana’s wetlands.
For more information, and to view the Righteous Fur prototype clothing line, visit btnep.org/righteousfur
New Orleans,