If you aren’t even a little enthralled with the magic of this time of year, you are probably a grumpy old man who yells at kids when they cut across his lawn! Right at this moment kids everywhere are searching their houses, digging through closets and other hiding spots, shaking every box they can find. Parents are buying gifts, anticipating the excitement on those same children’s faces, and older family members are looking forward to holiday parties and the special meals they’ll be sharing with the kids and grandkids.
But there’s another group who loves December for another reason altogether—Louisiana’s sportsmen. If anything, December is so rich in joyful opportunities for those of us who hunt and fish, we often must make hard choices. For instance, what if the ducks are flying, but I’m expected at a holiday party? Same can be asked about redfish, deer and numerous other outdoor passions. December is a month of difficult choices for those of us who cherish our time in the marsh.
One thing that is never difficult to choose however, is our support for coastal restoration, which is why Louisiana’s sportsmen and women have become some of our most trusted costal advocates. As this year comes to a close, we can be proud of all that we helped accomplish. From the passage of the 2023 Louisiana State Coastal Master Plan, where we helped connect sportsmen to scientists and decision makers, to shaping the plan and ensuring its passage to continued partnerships across the coast resulting in Cook-Offs, terracing projects, fishing trips, and so much more. Our biggest milestone of the year was of course the groundbreaking for Louisiana’s Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion, the single largest habitat restoration project in the history of the nation and one that will let the power of the Mississippi River rebuild our vanishing paradise. We can’t wait to see what 2024 has in store for us.
So, as we enter this holiday season, I want to encourage everyone, sportsman or not, to take the time to get outdoors and into our wild places. I promise nothing soothes frazzled nerves after a hectic day of shopping like a few hours outdoors, and it might even help you calm down after Uncle Eddie has one too many at the family dinner and launches into his political opinions!
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Happy Holidays!
– Bill Cooksey
Sr. Sportsman Advocacy Coordinator and Director of Conservation Partnerships,
National Wildlife Federation
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Join us as we tour this active construction site focused on reconstructing and reviving the Labranche wetlands to enhance the natural habitat for various estuarine species and waterfowl. By restoring these wetlands near New Orleans, this project aims to improve water quality, provide a nursery area for estuarine species, support biodiversity, and act as a buffer against storm surge and sea-level rise. This project is an example of the collaboration of partners working together due to the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act. Thanks to our friends at the National Audubon Society for capturing this video and showing us the waterfowl that are returning to this area! Check out the video here. |
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Nominations are now open for all categories of Louisiana Wildlife Federation’s 58th Conservation Achievement Awards. Categories include Lifetime Achievement, Professional, Volunteer, Business, Educator, Elected Official, Communications, Organization, Youth and Youth Organization. Speak up for your favorite conservationist! Submit nominations here for any of the categories by the February 4, 2024 deadline.
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Get involved with Cook-off for the Coast
Our 2024 Call for Entries is now open. Showcase your love for Louisiana nature and culture at the Cook-Off for the Coast in St. Bernard Parish on February 24, 2024!
For the third year running, a coastal themed art contest has been included in the cook-off. This year’s art contest theme is “Seasons of the Coast”. Images should relate to the Louisiana coast, wetlands, wildlife, restoration and/or Louisiana culture—particularly food within the theme of the seasons (spring, summer, autumn, winter) or seasonings (cayenne, oregano, thyme, red pepper). Any creative take on that theme is encouraged.
All entries must be submitted by 12pm on January 10th, 2024 for the judges to score and the winners will be announced at the Cookoff on February 24th, 2024. |
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Interested in competing in the Cook-off? Leading a cook team is easy and fun. Contact Blaise Pezold for more information.
We offer several sponsorship levels to support the cook-off and to help fund local restoration projects. Contact Chris Haines to learn more about supporting the Cook-Off. |
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CRCL Coastal Stewardship Awards
There have been countless heroes in the battle to save Louisiana’s coast – elected officials, organizational leaders, scientists, community organizers, volunteers and more. We would like your help in honoring some of them at CRCL’s annual Coastal Stewardship Awards event, which will be held in Baton Rouge in May 2024. Submit your nominations here. The deadline for nominations is February 16, 2024. |
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Recipe Spotlight: Toasted Cauliflower Soup
Warm up on a cool winter's night with Jared Austin’s Toasted Cauliflower Soup with Brown Butter Crab Meat. Austin is a steamboat captain on the Mississippi River, and he says this hearty soup is perfect for those cold rainy days we get here this time of year in Louisiana. Check out the recipe here and see Austin prepare this dish at the virtual Cook-off for the Coast in 2021.
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Volunteer Opportunities
RSVP here to Volunteer with CRCL on:
- January 6 — Oyster Shell Recycling
- January 12 — Central Wetlands Reforestation Planting
- January 13 — Central Wetlands Reforestation Planting
- January 17 — Native Plant Nursery Care Day
- January 24 — Native Plant Nursery Care Day
- January 26 — Central Wetlands Reforestation Planting
- January 27 — Central Wetlands Reforestation Planting
- January 31 — Native Plant Nursery Care Day
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