Coastal Reflections

As part of the Water Collaborative's NOLA Water Week and the Katrina 20 Week of Action, MRD is hosting an afternoon of conversation about the importance of coastal restoration to coastal communities like New Orleans, reflecting on the lessons learned, the progress made and the work left to be done.

Hear stories from the coast and learn more about the importance of wetlands as storm protection, the integral connections between the Mississippi River Delta to New Orleans, and the role of communities in coastal restoration today. Participate in the interactive "Hope for the Coast" collective art piece and cultural traditions activity (inspired by the Bayou Culture Collaborative). Lunch will be provided.

Info: Moderated by WWNO Coastal Desk Reporter Eva Tesfaye, this group will discuss the importance of community organizing and advocacy in coastal restoration and post-disaster work. They will dive into the importance of wetlands as storm protection, multiple lines of defense and why science-based decision making is so important to protecting infrastructure. Join to see where else the conversation takes us! Panelists include Blair duQuesnay, Executive Chair of Citizens for 1 Greater New Orleans; Charles Allen, Engagement Director of the National Audubon Society and Founding Board Member of the Lower 9th Ward Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development; and Khải Ngyuễn, Co-Executive Director of Sông CDC.

Info: Meagan Williams (Urban Water Program Manager for the City of New Orleans, Office of Resilience and Sustainability, ) and Dr. Krista Jankowski (Project Planner for Arcadis) discuss their experiences working on urban and coastal flood issues, the connections between city and coastal resilience work, why they do what they do and what gives them hope looking ahead at the next 20 years.

Host or Publisher Restore the Mississippi River Delta, Louisiana CPRA