Thankful for Y'all

Stories from the coast

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As the holiday season begins in earnest and another tumultuous year comes to a close, I’m trying to carve out some time to think about what’s kept me hopeful and excited for the work we do at Restore the Mississippi River Delta
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In this month’s newsletter you’ll find coastal restoration news, a look at home elevation projects in Southwest Louisiana, and resources for honoring Native American Heritage Month. Thanks for being here!

Jordan Phillips
Outreach Coordinator
Restore the Mississippi River Delta

P.S. – our Hope for the Coast design contest for next year's Cook-Off is still live! Enter your design here
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Feature Story: "Mid-Barataria's Muddy End"

Possibly the biggest coastal news story in Louisiana this year was the cancellation of both the Mid-Barataria and the Mid-Breton sediment diversion projects, and while the cancellations themselves are no longer breaking news, the circumstances surrounding them, as well as the uncertainty left in their wake, still warrant a closer look. For a deep dive into the history and current state of coastal restoration in Louisiana, I'd highly recommend "Mid-Barataria's Muddy End
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From the Blog:
Home Elevations in Southwest Louisiana

Flooding is an issue we know well here in Louisiana, and the strategies for dealing with flood risk are varied. The latest blog post on our website, written by our projects coordinator Allie Olsonoski, highlights the study MRD did earlier this year, along with UNO-CHART and Fenstermaker, to better understand residents' concerns around one of these strategies: home elevations.

The team held focus groups and met with homeowners and businesses in Calcasieu, Cameron, and Vermillion parishes, where the Army Corps is offering eligible residents an opportunity to elevate their homes. The conclusion? For this program to succeed, "community outreach is not optional; it is essential. Success hinges on trust, transparency and one-on-one engagement." Read more here
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Native American Heritage Month

November’s almost over, but it’s never too late to learn more about indigenous peoples’ past and present in Louisiana. Take a look at these resources
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And for a recent example of the intersection between coastal restoration and Native communities’ resilience, check out this article
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