August is a heavy time here on the Gulf Coast, and not just because of the humidity. As the 20th anniversaries of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita approach, along with the 4th anniversary of Hurricane Ida, we balance the need to pause and reflect on these disasters, both the massive losses they caused and the changes that have occurred since, with the need to stay vigilant at the height of yet another hurricane season.
I can't pretend to know what it felt like to go through as devastating a storm as Hurricane Katrina. I was a second grader in Baton Rouge when it hit, so I didn't understand much about the magnitude of the disaster, only that something bad had happened and it meant I had lots of new friends at school. But in the years since, especially in the decade I've lived in New Orleans, I've learned about what Katrina means through the stories of friends, colleagues, and strangers, all eager to share what happened, the ways they made it through, and the ways those experiences shaped their lives. (If you're looking to read a few, there is a great collection gathered here). Through all the wildly different hurricane stories I've heard over the years runs a thread of determination to love Louisiana in all its imperfections and to help restore and protect it for future generations.
In our work here at Restore the Mississippi River Delta (MRD), Katrina is always in the back of our minds. The first Coastal Master Plan in 2007 followed directly from Katrina, and storm protection has continued to be one of its main goals. However, this major anniversary, coupled with recent setbacks due to narrow-minded political maneuvering, has brought Hurricane Katrina and its inextricable ties to our mission to the foreground. We feel now more than ever the urgency of recommitting to a community-engaged, science-based master plan process to create the best solutions for those who call Louisiana home. We hope you'll join us in imagining a better future for our coast, one that works with our river to support our communities for years to come.
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Jordan Phillips
Outreach Coordinator
Restore the Mississippi River Delta |
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20 Years Later: Katrina Anniversary Events
Restore the Mississippi River Delta is proud to be hosting two events on August 26th and 27th in New Orleans as part of the Water Collaborative's NOLA Water Week and the Katrina 20 Week of Action.
Join us Tuesday afternoon for Coastal Reflections at the André Cailloux Center for Performing Arts and Cultural Justice. There will be a panel featuring voices in coastal restoration and community in the New Orleans area, followed by a coastal chat with Meagan Williams (City of New Orleans Office of Resilience) and Krista Jankowski (Arcadis, former member of the CPRA Master Plan team) for city and state perspectives on resilience and living with water. The event is free, but please RSVP here.
Wednesday morning we'll be out on the water visiting the “Great Wall of Louisiana” (the Lake Borgne Surge Barrier) with our friends from the MRGO Must Go Coalition. Come visit this impressive storm protection structure and learn more about the need for multiple lines of defense, ecosystem restoration and advocacy in and around the MRGO. Register for the free trip here. Note: attendees must be ages 18 or older. Bus transportation is only available for the 10:30 trip.
For the full schedule of Katrina 20 Week of Action events across the Gulf Coast, click here. For more NOLA Water Week events, click here. For the City of New Orleans Calendar, click here.
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Community Ideas Workshops with MRD
Have a big idea for restoring the coast that you can't wait to share? Noticed a land loss or flood risk problem that you think CPRA should know about? Either way, we're here to help. CPRA is looking for project ideas and coastal challenges for the 2029 Coastal Master Plan, and MRD is hosting three restoration project development workshops to help answer your questions about the process and hone your ideas for submission. Check out the links below to learn more and register for each event:
We hope to see y’all out there! In the meantime, you can find more information about project development for the 2029 Master Plan here. And if you'd like to chat with a member of the CPRA Master Plan team, sign up for virtual office hours here. |
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Listen Now: Delta Dispatches Podcast
Our podcast has officially been relaunched! Join our campaign director Simone Maloz as she chats with guests from all facets of the coastal world about their work and the challenges and opportunities in restoring Louisiana's coast.
Listen to the first four episodes now. |
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Cook-Off for the Coast 2026: T-Shirt & Poster Design Contest
We're already getting ready for next year's Cook-Off for the Coast, and we have a new way for you to join in the fun! Enter our “Hope for the Coast” design contest for a chance to be featured on this year's Cook-Off t-shirt and poster. All ages are welcome to enter! The deadline to submit your design is October 1, 2025. You can learn more and submit your designs here.
While you're at it, don't forget to save the date for next year's Cook-Off: February 28, 2026. This FREE event at Docville Farm features live local music, a wild game cooking competition, an all-ages art contest, and more! Visit coastcookoff.com for more details. |
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On the Road with MRD
Here are some upcoming events around the coast where you can say hi to some of our staff and stay informed about restoration efforts in coastal Louisiana!
- 8/24-8/31: Katrina 20 Week of Action & NOLA Water Week
- 8/28: NOLA Green Drinks at Vaughan's
- 9/2: Loyola Institute of Environmental Communication begins (learn more and apply here)
- 9/10: Community Ideas Workshop @ LUMCON Blue Works
- 9/13: NOLA River Fest
- 9/16: Community Ideas Workshop @ NTCC in Lacombe
- 9/18 Community Ideas Workshop @ N.O. East Hospital
- 9/18: Pontchartrain Conservancy's Tree Bingo @ Miel Brewery
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