Happy Mardi Gras recovery season! It’s that special time of the year when we all need our R&R after the fun, food, and festivities of Mardi Gras. It’s a great time to re-calibrate our focus on what’s important and what matters to us. Here at MRD we’re putting our focus on the coast as we prepare for Cook-off for the Coast and some important opportunities around the CPRA’s annual plan! Plus, we’re excited to dig into learning more as we continue to celebrate Black History Month all February long. 

To introduce myself, my name is Brett Pickett, and I’m the Outreach Coordinator at the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana. I grew up in Mandeville, Louisiana and have loved working on restoring our coast through engaging with our communities and supporting much-needed action. Now that Mardi Gras crowds are gone, I’m excited to do one of my favorite activities – go on a walk! So, in honor of Black History month, I wanted to share this walking itinerary of the African American Heritage Trail in New Orleans. 

 Check out all the fun below! 

Black History Month

• Put together by teachers here in New Orleans, this is a great resource on Black history in the city.
  • New Orleans Black History You Should Know
• This month also features opportunities to see great art by Black writer George C. Wolfe. THE COLORED MUSEUM represents Black American culture through a series of art installments. The project originally premiered in 1986 and will be presented in partnership in New Orleans with the New Orleans African American Museum.
  • Tickets for THE COLORED MUSEUM
• Lastly, here is a great directory to find Black owned businesses in New Orleans year-round with everything from restaurants to night clubs!
  • Black owned businesses in New Orleans

Who? Hosted by Restore the Mississippi River Delta, Vanishing Paradise and the Meraux Foundation

What? A free, family-friendly event featuring local cook teams battling it out in a wild game cooking competition, chef demonstrations, live music, cheap drinks, kids’ activities, and coastal restoration information.

Local cook teams will prepare dishes featuring wild game found in Louisiana’s coastal wetlands and serve up free samples to the public. A panel of judges, including local chefs, will rate the entries on taste, originality and presentation. Trophies will be awarded in “swims”, “flies”, “crawls”, “student”, and “crowd favorite” categories.

You can’t have food without music! The Cook-off for the Coast features local Cajun and Creole bands. Fresh off the 2024 Grammy Awards stage, Louis Michot is best known as the fiddle player and lead-singer for the award-winning Lost Bayou Ramblers, but his passion for Louisiana French, local folklore, and sustainability in the fastest disappearing landmass in the world are what fuels his career as a musician.  

Local organizations engaged in coastal restoration, invasive species, urban storm water management, and other issues addressing and celebrating the culture and economies of Southeast Louisiana will be on hand with information as well as activities for kids. For the third year running, a coastal themed art contest has been included in the cook-off.

Local favorite Pirogue’s Whiskey Bayou will offer a cash bar with drink specials. This year’s Cook-Off for the Coast is being held in partnership with St. Bernard Parish Coastal Division, St. Bernard Parish Tourism, and Nunez Community College.

When? Saturday, February 24th, 2024; 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. 

Where? Docville Farm, 5124 E. St. Bernard Hwy, Violet, LA 70092

Why? To raise awareness about coastal restoration and celebrate the bounty of Southeast Louisiana. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Chandeleur Sound Living Shoreline Program, a partnership with Chalmette High School and Nunez Community College, and Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana’s Oyster Shell Recycling Program. 

See more info at coastcookoff.com & RSVP on Facebook
 

Friendly reminder that the CPRA is accepting public comments on the 2025 Annual Plan until February 18th! Each year, the CPRA produces the Annual Plan to provide updates on the coastal projects set out in the Coastal Master Plan – outlining the design, implementation, and operation of restoration projects that represent billions of dollars of investment. This Annual Plan is the largest ever at $1.68 billion and includes many of the largest coastal restoration and protection projects the state has undertaken. Right now is a great chance to have your voice heard on this crucial funding plan that supports our coast. To see the annual plan, you can click here. To make a public comment, follow the steps below.

• Public comments may be emailed to [email protected].
• To mail a public comment, use the address below.

Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority
Public Comments
150 Terrace Avenue
Baton Rouge, LA 70802  

Coastal Stewardship Awards

CRCL’s Stewardship Awards are coming up soon and nominations are open! There have been countless heroes in the battle to save Louisiana’s coast – elected officials, organizational leaders, scientists, community organizers, volunteers and more. CRCL would like your help in honoring some of them at their annual Coastal Stewardship Awards event, which will be held in Baton Rouge on May 9, 2024. The awards, which include recognition for volunteers, students, lifetime achievement and other coastal stewards, are among the most prestigious given to the people and organizations dedicated to addressing our land loss crisis. To be considered for an award, a person or group must be nominated, which is why we are asking for your help today. Please consider making a nomination soon! The deadline for nominations is February 16, 2024.You can nominate a coastal steward here.

Recipe Spotlight!

This time of year is great for eating oysters! Here’s one of my favorite dishes from our recipe collection highlighting the amazing food and culture of our coast. This one for Oysters and Beer is simple, delicious, and lent friendly!