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The Program

Tuesday, May 18th - 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Science of Our Coast and Climate

A high-level, non-technical overview of how our coast functions, the challenges with land loss and climate change, and the strategies and techniques to address those challenges. Also, get to know more about the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana and some of the work that we do. The session will feature several CRCL staff: Isabella Donnell provides the overview of our coast and restoration; Hannah Cohen explains our youth engagement initiatives; and Kathryn Loomis highlights our habitat restoration program. In addition, we feature a couple of inspirational and informative videos. The session concludes with a Q&A with the above-mentioned staff in addition to James Karst, Communications Director; Kellyn LaCour-Conant, Restoration Programs Director; and Corey Miller, Director of Community Resilience.   

Wednesday, May 19th - 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Restoration in the News

Hear from those working in the news media to cover Louisiana’s fight against land loss, climate change, hurricanes, and flooding. The session includes three presentations followed by a moderated panel discussion. Bob Marshall will dive into climate change and the implications for our coast. Mark Schleifstein, the Advocate, will discuss his coverage of the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion. Tegan Wendland, WWNO, will talk about how we adapt via retreat and relocation as Louisiana’s Boot continues to shrink and flood risks increase. Each presentation will be followed by an opportunity to discuss directly with the journalists. The session will conclude with a panel discussion of all three while Amy Wold, Water Institute of the Gulf, facilitates audience Q&A as moderator. 

Thursday, May 20th - 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Celebrating Louisiana’s Coastal Community Organizations

Session 1 - Virtual Open House
5:00 pm - 5:30 pm

Join us in our virtual exhibit hall to learn about several of the community organizations and groups that are working on issues related to how we work, live, and play along Louisiana’s coast. You can peruse through several virtual booths where you can get a quick overview of the organization’s mission and work, watch a short video, and enter into a live interaction with a representative for a more in-depth engagement. 

Session 2 - Community-Based Organization Feature
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Hear from three community leaders and learn about their efforts to plan for climate change, adapt to changing environmental conditions, and promote stewardship of our coast. Sage Michael is an activist who is leading a charge to revitalize Lincoln Beach in New Orleans, in an attempt to restore this once segregated public park along the shore of Lake Pontchartrain. Sandy Nguyen is the executive director of Coastal Communities Consulting, a nonprofit that supports local commercial fishers and their families to improve quality of life as they adapt to our changing coast. Colette Pichon Battle is the executive director of the Gulf Coast Center for Law and Policy; learn about her efforts with the Gulf South for Green New Deal, a movement that is advancing a regional vision for a just climate transition. 
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