It's almost Thanksgiving, and as I write this newsletter from my parents’ kitchen table, I'm remembering all the previous Thanksgivings we spent at our old camp in Cocodrie. After Hurricane Ida caused significant damage (though we fared better than many others), my dad made the decision to sell it; we were on the outside of the lock system, after all, and future storms could hit even harder. I understand why, but I miss all the things I took for granted about being in Cocodrie: taking the boat out to explore the marsh and the islands, grabbing snacks at the Lapeyrouse store, and chatting with our neighbors who had been there much longer than we had and seen the changes over the years as land has disappeared and more and more residents have moved away.
In his address to the Senate Transportation Committee last Thursday (which we'll dive into below), Governor Jeff Landry said that the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion would “break the culture”, comparing this science-based and publicly supported land building project to the restrictive policies that decimated the use of Louisiana French dialects in the early 20th century. I too am concerned about cultural loss in Louisiana. I'm terrified about what will happen to the diverse and rich cultures that make up Louisiana as more and more people must make difficult decisions about where they can live and thrive as we continue to lose land at an alarming rate. I believe that the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion and projects like it give us our best shot at preserving our ways of living by letting the river rebuild the land we call home, and there are decades of research backing this up. I hope our decision-makers can see that as well and move this key project forward.
We're not giving up on the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversions, and if you'd like to join us in advocating for the land-building power of the river, keep reading to learn more about how you can do that. We're also extending an invitation to come celebrate a big win with us as another vital coastal project breaks ground next week – one that puts the river to work. Check out the details for the Maurepas Groundbreaking Community Celebration below.
Thanks for reading, |
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Jordan Phillips
Outreach Coordinator, Gulf Program
National Wildlife Federation
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Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion (MBSD) Updates
Last Thursday, Governor Jeff Landry addressed the Louisiana Senate Transportation Committee with his most extensive comments on the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion so far. His comments were alarming, as they contained misinformation on the project and represented a politicization of Louisiana's coastal program. Learn more at the links below from Restore the Mississippi River Delta and our partners:
- Read our official statement here
- The Tulane Institute on Water Resources Law and Policy’s newsletter includes a great overview of the many issues with the Governor's address last week and its implications for the future of our state's science-based process for coastal restoration. Read it here.
- Check out this blog post (“Recent Questions Previously Answered”) from LWF's Policy Director Amy Wold, which lays out the well-researched answers to the questions that are currently surrounding MBSD.
- Want to take action to support this project and the master plan?
- Email [email protected] to find out how to get involved in our work
- Sign up to be a project supporter of Mid-Barataria
- Add your name to the list of Louisianans who support science-based solutions to our state's land loss crisis
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Maurepas Swamp Community Celebration
Join Restore the Mississippi River Delta and the Louisiana Wildlife Federation at the St. James Boat Club on December 3rd to celebrate the groundbreaking of the River Reintroduction into Maurepas Swamp, taking place earlier that day. This vital project will reconnect the Mississippi River with the Maurepas Swamp, one of the largest forested wetlands in the nation. Celebrate this historic project groundbreaking with food, music and fun! |
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Want to learn more about this project before partying with us? Check out these resources:
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MRD is Hiring! Outreach & Policy Internships
Join our team at Restore the Mississippi River Delta! We're hiring two paid interns to support our Policy and Outreach work in the new year. Visit the following links to view the full job descriptions for each position and apply now.
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Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage Month, and to celebrate, our Coastal Science Coordinator Devon Parfait put together this reading list highlighting indigenous authors of both fiction and nonfiction works with a focus on climate. Chief Devon described his work in this way:
“Traditional Indigenous wisdom teaches us that the lands and waters we call home are not just resources—they are sacred relatives, essential to our survival and well-being. For generations, Native communities have embraced this interconnected relationship, fostering balance and resilience in the face of constant change. As Chief of the Grand Caillou/Dulac Band of Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw and Coastal Science Coordinator for Restore the Mississippi River Delta, I work to bridge the lessons of our ancestors with modern strategies for addressing Louisiana's environmental challenges. My work is guided by the belief that by honoring lived, generational knowledge and institutional knowledge, we can find innovative solutions to our toughest challenges and ensure a future where both people and nature thrive.”
Check out his recommendations below:
- Seeking Justice in an Energy Sacrifice Zone: Julie K. Maldonado delves into the lived experiences of our Indigenous communities in coastal Louisiana, particularly the Isle de Jean Charles, Grand Caillou/Dulac, and Pointe-au-Chien Indian Tribes. Maldonado examines how environmental degradation, driven by energy extraction and climate change, has led to displacement and cultural erosion among our bayou communities. By intertwining personal narratives with broader socio-political analysis, she highlights the resilience and agency of our tribes as we confront systemic injustices and advocate for our rights and traditions.
- The Marrow Thieves: Cherie Dimaline presents a dystopian future where climate change has devastated the world, leading most people to lose the ability to dream—a loss that causes widespread madness. In this grim reality, Indigenous peoples are the only ones who retain the capacity to dream, making them targets for "Recruiters" who harvest their bone marrow, believed to hold the cure for dreamlessness. The novel explores themes of resilience, the importance of cultural memory, and the enduring strength of Indigenous communities in the face of systemic oppression.
- Walking the Clouds: An Anthology of Indigenous Science Fiction: Featuring Indigenous authors from around the world, this anthology explores encounters with other beings, ecological sustainability, apocalyptic survival, and the reclamation of ancestral traditions. By weaving traditional ecological knowledge with speculative fiction, Walking the Clouds offers profound insights into the adaptability and wisdom of Indigenous cultures, envisioning a sustainable and just future rooted in both lived generational knowledge and innovative imagination.
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Save the Date! Cook-Off for the Coast 2025
The 7th Annual Cook-Off for the Coast is coming up! Join us on February 1, 2025 for a free, family-friendly event featuring local cook teams battling it out in a wild game cooking competition, live music, affordable drinks, kids’ activities, and coastal restoration information. All proceeds from the event will benefit Nunez Community College Coastal Scholarship Endowment.
Interested in competing in the Cook-off? Contact: [email protected]
Enter the coastal art contest! We are looking for artists of all ages to submit original pieces that celebrate the bounty of the Louisiana coast. Prizes will be awarded and a copy of all artwork will be featured during the Cook-off. Learn more and enter here!
Become a sponsor! We offer several sponsorship levels. All proceeds raised from the Cook-off will help build the Nunez Community College Coastal Scholarship Endowment. Contact: [email protected]
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