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Happy (almost) Halloween! While Restore the Mississippi River Delta is based in New Orleans, arguably one of the spookiest cities in America, some of our staff celebrated this haunted holiday a bit farther afield at Rougarou Fest in Houma last weekend. Each year, this free family festival showcases live music, Cajun food, cultural activities, and coastal organizations, with all proceeds going to the South Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center. The fest’s theme centers around the legend of the Rougarou, a creature similar to a werewolf that’s said to eat children who don’t behave. 

The Rougarou isn’t the only piece of creepy Cajun folklore worth knowing, though. For a fun and not-too-scary primer on some of these legends, I’d recommend checking out Louisiana Dread’s series on Louisiana horror stories, which includes a few lesser-known Cajun cryptids. If you’re looking for a place to start, my favorite is this one on the cauchemar, Louisiana’s very own sleep paralysis demon. Enjoy! 

In this month’s newsletter, we’ll share some highlights in coastal news from this month, volunteer opportunities with some of our partners, and where you can find us in November. 

Thanks for reading!
Jordan Phillips
Outreach Coordinator
Restore the Mississippi River Delta

P.S. – our Hope for the Coast design contest for next year's Cook-Off is still live! Enter your design here for a chance to be featured on our 2026 Cook-Off for the Coast t-shirt and poster.

Mid-Breton Sediment Diversion Cancelled  

In case you missed it, the State quietly cancelled yet another major sediment diversion project this month: the Mid-Breton Sediment Diversion. This article from Louisiana Illuminator gives a good overview of decision and the questions left unanswered. You can read our statement here, and a blog post on the cancellation of both major diversions this year from our partners at LWF here.  

Here at MRD, we believe in the power of the river to build land and in the power of a science-based, community-supported coastal master plan. Check out this blog from coastal scientist Alisha Renfro on the role of river reconnections in Louisiana’s coastal future.  
 

Volunteer Opportunities

Pontchartrain Conservancy is planting native trees on historic ridges in St. Bernard Parish, and they need volunteers to do it! Come out and get your hands dirty restoring vital habitat. More information here. And check out their careers page to learn more about their current openings! 

To see other volunteer events hosted by Pontchartrain Conservancy, check out their events page here. For other volunteer opportunities around the coast, check out our friends at the Center for Sustainable Engagement & Development (L9CSED), Common Ground Relief, Restore or Retreat, and CRCL.   

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!