There's Snow Place Like the Coast

Annual Plan comments, Cook-Off recap, Black History Month

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On January 20th-22nd, coastal Louisiana, a region lampooned for its smothering heat and humidity, was graced with a once in a lifetime experience: a blizzard. The intersection of Louisiana culture and snow was magical and surreal for millions across the state. Inner tubes and crawfish trays became sleds, levees formed ski slopes, and Rouses bags turned into makeshift snow socks. Years from now, images of our neighborhoods, parks, and our family and friends, all covered in snow, will surely make many Louisianans smile and remind us of the beauty of those enchanting few days.

Though, not all of the winter storm effects were positive. Icy roads and heavy snow led to deadly conditions and significant property damage across the state. The impacts of these winter storms and our lack of preparedness may make us the butt of jokes from northern states, but events like this are sobering reminders of the uncertainty and dangers of our changing environment. Just two weeks after breaking snowfall records across the Gulf Coast, we challenged record high temperatures in February. It is more important than ever to bolster our defenses against future severe climate threats, and coastal restoration is our best tool to prepare for what comes next.

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Dennis Clutter
Community Engagement Coordinator
Pontchartrain Conservancy

Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Plan

The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) spent the first couple months of the year presenting their draft Annual Plan for fiscal year 2026
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There are two ways to submit your own written comment:
Email the CPRA at [email protected]
[email protected]?subject=FY26%20Annual%20Plan%20Comment
Mail comments to:

Coastal Protection & Restoration Authority, Public Comments

150 Terrace Avenue
Baton Rouge, LA 70802

You can read Restore the MRD’s statement on this year's draft Annual Plan here
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Cook-Off for the Coast Turns 7!

On Saturday, February 1, Restore the Mississippi River Delta, Vanishing Paradise, and the Meraux Foundation hosted the 7th annual Cook-Off for the Coast at Docville Farm. The event bridges the gap between Louisiana culture and the need for coastal restoration through our favorite medium: food! Around 1,200 attendees joined us in our celebration of Louisiana cuisine and the coast that provides for us and protects us. The event raised over $25,000 for the Nunez Coastal Studies Scholarship Program
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Sixteen cook teams attended and competed in one of three categories: Swims, Flies, and Crawls. The creativity and diversity of dishes never cease to amaze us at each Cook-Off, and this year was no exception. Below are the winners of the cooking competition:

Swims:
Flies: Common Ground Relief – Duck Dolmas
Crawls: Team Islenos – Venison Birria Tacos
Student Team:
Crowd Favorite: Mudda Roux

Thirty-six artists participated in the art contest. The first place winners are as follows:

12 and Under: Beautiful Home by Olivia Liu
13-17: Predation by Grace Chen
18 and Up: Marshland Martian Land by Rhett Pritchard

Congratulations to the winners, and we look forward to seeing you next year!

A very special thank you to our partners at St. Bernard Parish Tourism, St. Bernard Parish Coastal Division, and Nunez Community College. Keep an eye out for next year's date on our website at coastcookoff.com
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Black History Month

Black History is Louisiana History. Learning about the background and trials of black history is imperative to understand the context of Louisiana history. Below are some opportunities to learn about some of the black experiences that have shaped our state’s history and culture.

Many historians urge the reevaluation of the way we think about plantations, largely because the architectural grandeur and Antebellum aesthetic are often the main attractor. Doing so draws a veil over the horrors of slavery and the conditions of those who spent their entire lives there in forced servitude. The Whitney Plantation in Edgard, LA opened as the country’s first dedicated slavery museum and makes the point that black history is an integral part of American history and that we should not separate the two. The Atlantic published a short video about the Whitney Plantation here
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The Hermann-Grima + Gallier Historic Houses in the French Quarter offer two tours covering urban enslavement in New Orleans, a historic hub of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. Slavery in the South is most often depicted on rural plantations, but colonial urban centers were also inexorably tied to enslavement. At one point, one-third of the residents of New Orleans were enslaved. You can learn more about the Hermann-Grima + Gallier Historic Houses and book tours on their website
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The WWII Museum is running a special exhibition through July titled Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in World War II. The exhibit covers the adversity and bigotry facing black service men and women even while serving a crucial role in the Allied victory. To learn more about this exhibit, click on this link
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