My name is Helen Rose Patterson, and I’m so excited to be bringing you the second edition of our new monthly newsletter. As the Senior Outreach Coordinator for the National Wildlife Federation’s Gulf Program, I work with faith and community leaders who work hard to advocate for Louisiana’s coast and all of the cultural treasures that rely on it.

Last month we shared that big things are happening with the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion in March, and since then, we’ve created more resources to keep you informed. I really enjoyed this episode of our podcast, Delta Dispatches, featuring a conversation with our friends Amy Reed and Jarryd Page from the Environmental Law Institute. They will also be joining us for a webinar in March, so be on the lookout for details about that. You can find more information about the diversion below. 

Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion

This is a big year for one of Louisiana’s cornerstone coastal restoration projects: the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion. This project will be releasing its Draft Environmental Impact Study (EIS), a long-awaited milestone toward construction of this restoration project. Learn more about this project on our website! In particular, you can check out and share this great video explaining how the river builds healthy wetlands, and this blog that details what our future looks like without these essential projects. 

Ogden Museum of Southern Art Presents
The Guardian of the Wetlands: Works by John Taylor

Ogden Museum of Southern Art and the National Wildlife Federation present an exhibition of works from John Taylor, storyteller, environmentalist, self-taught artist and life-long resident of New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward. This exhibition features a variety of works by Taylor, including eight walking sticks carved from wood found along the banks of the Mississippi River and eight photographs of the Bayou Bienvenue Wetland Triangle. The exhibition also features historical information about Louisiana wetland loss, and provides a number of ways people can get involved with restoration efforts. 

Cook-Off for the Coast

The fourth annual (Virtual) Cook-off for the Coast will be debuting via Zoom and Facebook Live on Wednesday, February 24th at 12:00 p.m. It will feature a performance by Michot’s Melody Makers with special guest Leyla McCalla, a virtual coastal flyover, and cooking demonstrations with local chefs. 

Of course, it wouldn’t be a cook-off without a little healthy competition, and this year we’re hosting a both a recipe and an art competition. Make sure you tune in to see who wins! You can register to watch the Cook-off for the Coast here.   
 

Antiracist Learning

Early in February, Politico published an article entitled, “Environmental Groups’ Greatest Obstacle May Not Be Republican Opposition,” which explores the ways that the Environmental Justice movement is demanding that big environmental groups do a better job of showing up for and working with Black, Latinx, and Indigenous communities. This isn’t a new critique or challenge, and Louisiana is one of the places where this work is the most pressing. As supporters of coastal restoration, we can all do a better job of engaging with communities of color who are fighting for a future with clean air and clean water. 

Volunteer Opportunity 

National Audubon Society is inviting supporters in Southwest Louisiana to volunteer for a coastline clean up. This project will improve bird habitat and help the surrounding communities recover from hurricane damage. The event will take place Saturday, March 6, 2021 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM CT on Rutherford Beach. Please register here.