Happy Earth Day! Every year on April 22, people all around the world show appreciation for the planet by picking up trash, planting trees, and supporting legislation to better protect the environment. In this newsletter, we highlight ways you can take these actions today and in the upcoming month!  

This newsletter is brought to you by two Serve Louisiana members, Louisiana's oldest  AmeriCorp program. Olivia Ledet serves as the Outreach Coordinator at Pontchartrain Conservancy and Isabella Donnell serves as the Outreach Assistant for Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana. 

This week we observe two contrasting and important days - the anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and Earth Day. Tuesday marked 11 years since the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster which devastated Louisiana’s coast and cost 11 lives. The effects of this environmental disaster are still being felt today, but we’re presented with an opportunity to rebuild our coast with the largest restoration project in U.S. history – the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion. 

The funding for this critical project comes through the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill settlement, giving us a chance to rebuild a part of our dying wetlands and repair the overall health of the ecosystem. ​

Just as this anniversary provides us a moment of reflection, the annual celebration of Earth Day is a moment to look forward and to take action. While there is still plenty of work ahead of us, our best next step is the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion. Learn how you can get involved and show your support for this historic project in the newsletter below! 

Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Action Alert

We’re at a pivotal moment for the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project to move forward. You can voice your support for this important project now. If you have not already, be sure you take some time to pledge your support to save our coast and submit your public comments by June 3, 2021.  

For further information, visit our hub page on the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion has all the resources you need. It contains details on the project, describes the Environmental Impact Statement process, and provides several ways for you to support this project. This is a good link for you to share with your friends and family so that they can get involved. We need all hands on deck for this project—it will be the largest ecosystem restoration project in U.S. history. 

We need the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion because it is a game-changing coastal restoration project that uses the power of the river itself to build and maintain land. Without projects like this one, the river’s sediment is lost into the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Bonus: the diversion will also work with other nearby projects to extend the lifespan of millions of dollars that have already been invested in marsh creation.

UPCOMING EVENTS

TODAY: Earth Day Tree Giveaway with Common Ground Relief and CRCL

Take a visit out to Common Ground Relief’s tree nursery for your very own, free native tree!! Trees will be available for pickup by Southeast Louisiana residents on Thursday, April 22, 2 pm - 6 pm. Follow the link to reserve your tree and for more details!  

Storm Sweep

Pontchartrain Conservancy will hold Storm Sweep as a month designated to clean up the Lake Pontchartrain Basin this May and to promote education about storm preparedness. Together we'll remove trash and debris so that our catch basins can adequately route stormwater out of our neighborhoods and our waterways can be litter-free. Join us for a catch basin and neighborhood clean-up, become an event sponsor, or both! Learn more and register here for Storm Sweep! 

Restoration on a Half Shell

The State of the Coast conference is proud to offer a three-day program called Restoration on the Half Shell: a free three-part virtual series discussing how our coast functions and the challenges it faces. The program is tailored to concerned citizens who want to learn more about the problems facing our coast, plans for restoration, and other organizations that are involved. Scheduled for May 18-20th – Registration is open now!
 

The Guardian of the Wetlands

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, which is available until May 30th, features historic information about Louisiana’s wetland loss and provides a number of ways for people to get involved with restoration efforts. View more information!