LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) – It’s been six years since the historic BP oil spill and now the first youth restoration efforts to restore the coast are taking place right here at Bayou Teche.

Tuesday U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell spent the day on the bayou, and with the help of the Chitimacha Tribal Youth Conservation Corps, cleaned the bayou one bottle at a time.

The program is part of the historic settlement with BP.

Five tribal communities, including the Chitimacha Tribe, were awarded $100,000 each to help fund restoration efforts along the Gulf Coastline.

Jewell said the Chitamacha Youth Tribe has been dedicated to keeping the coastal community clean for many years.

“They care about the environment, they are learning about the environment, they’re hard working. And we all had a little bit of fun today.”

Jewell said it’s great to see young people who are passionate about the environment.

“So when our children get out here and understand what’s at stake, they carry it forward to their children, and that’s what this is all about.”

The tribal youth corps will continue their restoration project for the next 6 weeks.