Spring has sprung! March is here, bringing sunshine, warmer weather and the start of the legislative session... which also means Coastal Day is around the corner. We’ll be at the State Capitol on March 25th, along with other coastal organizations, to talk to lawmakers about our work, including the importance of our priority restoration projects in the Coastal Master Plan and Annual Plan. We’re also still reveling in the success of Cook-Off for the Coast 2024, which was our biggest Cook-Off yet, and looking forward to Shell-A-Bration later this month. More on this and more below! 

My name is Julia-Claire Evans, and I’m a communications associate here at Restore the Mississippi River Delta. I also sit on our outreach committee and work jointly with our outreach and communications teams. I grew up in Lafayette, Louisiana and spent a lot of my life fishing and exploring our coast. I love all things Louisiana, especially our music and food, and on a normal day at our office, you can find me brainstorming social media content or planning our next media tour! 

Coastal Day

     March 25th is a big day for us, as well as for coastal advocates across the state. This Coastal Day, we’re heading to the capitol to show our continued support for  important projects like the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion and other critical restoration work outlined in the Coastal Master Plan and  Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Plan. This iteration of the Annual Plan allocates the most money ever to Louisiana coastal restoration in a single year, totaling $1.6 billion. Not only does this cover new, vital projects but also continued monitoring and evaluation of completed projects. We’ll be talking to legislators about the importance of supporting strong science based coastal restoration work as a win for us all.   Make sure you follow us on X and Instagram @restoredelta and Facebook @RestoretheMississippiRiverDelta for all Coastal Day updates! 

Cook-Off for the Coast Recap 

We’re still celebrating the success that was the sixth annual Cook-Off for the Coast! This event only continues to grow larger every year, and 2024 was no exception. The 2024 Cook-Off raised over $20,000 for CRCL’s Oyster Shell Recycling Program and Nunez Community College’s Chandeleur Sound Living Shoreline Project. More than 2,000 coastal community members joined us at Docville Farm. Sixteen cook teams served up an incredible array of delicious dishes, and five local teams walked away with well-deserved trophies, including Team Mudda Roux, the undefeated “Crowd Favorite” winners! Keep an eye on the Cook-Off website for all of the details on Cook-Off for the Coast 2025!

ICYMI: Buy your Cook-Off for the Coast T-Shirt online now!

Our Coast is Our Future 

We know you, like most Louisianans, care deeply about our coast. Building on the Cook-Off's momentum, we’d like you to join us in making your dedication to our coast known to Louisiana lawmakers during the upcoming legislative session. Learn how you can help by clicking here.  

Lower Mississippi River Comprehensive Study

The US Army Corps of Engineers for the New Orleans District held a number of meetings along the coast over the last two weeks to discuss current management of the river and potential future management practices as part of their Lower Mississippi River Comprehensive Study. The five-year study will evaluate alternatives for river management from Cape Girardeau in Missouri to the river’s mouth in the Gulf. Read more about the study here. 

Save the Date! 

Shell-A-Bration

CRCL’s Shell-A-Bration returns to the Audubon Zoo on March 22nd, and this year they’re celebrating a DECADE of the Oyster Shell Recycling Program! Since 2014, the program has collected over 14 million pounds of shell from New Orleans-area restaurants to build living reefs on Louisiana’s coast by lowering wave action and slowing coastal erosion. Join CRCL for a night of live music, door prizes, a silent auction, and of course fresh oysters and other delicious food. Learn more about the event and purchase your tickets here. 

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

CRCL: 

Central Wetlands Reforestation Plantings: March 20th & 21st 
Crescent City Classic: March 30th 
New Isle Tree Plantings: April 4th, 5th & 6th  

Recipe Spotlight

Shrimp Rolls

It’s warm outside again, and what better way to celebrate than with these delicious shrimp rolls? This quick and easy recipe is the perfect thing to make with leftovers from a backyard shrimp boil. See the recipe here.