Congrats everybody, we made it through June! It's hot out here, but afternoon storms have been keeping the worst of the high temperatures at bay, and there're plenty of happy things to keep the summer slump from taking over. From blueberry picking and pride parades to watermelon and pool days, I'm reminded that things never really slow all the way down here, and that even in arguably the toughest season to live in south Louisiana there are so many reasons to love it here and find it worth working hard to keep it above water.
Below, you'll find a recap of recent events and some MRD news, educational resources to celebrate Juneteenth, and a look at what's coming up. Thanks for reading! |
|
|
|
|
Jordan Phillips
Outreach Coordinator
Restore the Mississippi River Delta |
|
|
|
Coastal Happenings
June started off busy for our staff, with the Dance & Dissent event at Hotel Peter & Paul, Storm Aware & Prepare at the Lighthouse, and Green Drinks at Espiritu in Mid-City. We enjoyed seeing y'all out and about, and we're looking forward to more events in the fall when things cool off a bit!
We were also part of an effort to support the New Orleans East Landbridge Restoration Project's recommendation for funding by the LA TIG. This project would be hugely beneficial for wildlife and communities in the New Orleans area. You can hear Amanda Moore, senior director of the Gulf Program at the National Wildlife Federation, talk more about this project here.
We've continued to follow reactions to the climate-driven relocation study we talked about last month. Here's a response to the news coverage from the authors of the study, and here's a piece discussing potential impacts of sea level rise and climate migration on the seafood industry. |
|
|
|
Juneteenth Resources
This past weekend was Juneteenth, a celebration of the emancipation of enslaved Black people in Texas on June 19th, 1865 and a time to reflect on the work that's left to be done toward a fair and just America for all people.
Below are some resources to learn about the holiday and about organizations working to address the ongoing legacy of slavery in the American south.
- A digital toolkit on the holiday from the National Museum of African American History and Culture, with educational resources for all ages.
- A guide to the Equal Justice Initiative's Legacy Sites in Montgomery, AL (the newest site just opened this spring)
- The Descendants Project is one of the organizations in Louisiana fighting for environmental justice for Black communities descended from enslaved people living near industrial sites in the River Parishes
|
|
|
|
Nature Based Challenge
At the start of National Rivers Month, Restore the Mississippi River Delta coalition leaders Simone Maloz, Lauren Bourg and Sam Carter joined a Louisiana delegation in the Netherlands to explore innovative approaches to water management, flood protection and climate resilience and to hear from the next generation on potential nature based solutions for Louisiana in the next 100 years.
The Netherlands has spent generations developing strategies to live with water, combining engineered infrastructure with nature-based solutions to reduce flood risk while supporting healthy ecosystems. Throughout the visit, delegates from MRD, the Water Institute, Louisiana Economic Development, Greater New Orleans Foundation, and Baton Rouge Area Foundation met with government officials, researchers and practitioners to learn how long-term planning, sustained investment and collaboration have shaped Dutch resilience efforts. Additionally, Simone joined Greg Grandy of CPRA to serve on the jury for the Nature-Based Challenge hosted by Wageningen University in, where international student teams developed innovative solutions for Louisiana's future.
For Louisiana, these conversations reinforced an important lesson: there is no single solution to coastal challenges. Success depends on a suite of solutions that work together to protect communities, sustain economies and restore natural systems.
The exchange also provided an opportunity to share Louisiana's own expertise in coastal restoration while learning from international partners facing similar challenges. As we continue advancing science-based solutions for Louisiana's coast, partnerships and knowledge-sharing like this help strengthen our collective ability to build resilience in an increasingly uncertain future. |
|
|
|
On the Road with MRD
Here are some upcoming events where you can find our staff and say hello! We have a bit of a lull in events coming up this summer, but we've already got a lot on the books this fall.
7/15 - CPRA Board Meeting in Thibodaux
9/12 - NOLA River Fest
10/23-10/25 - Rougarou Fest in Houma
10/27 - CRCL SWLA Coastal Summit
|
|
|
|
|
<![if gt mso 11]>
<![endif]>
