Parading into 2026

What we've been cooking up at MRD

View this message on the web [link removed]

[link removed]

We're about a month into the new year, and between the wild swings in the weather, the intensity of the news cycle, and prepping my costumes for a shorter carnival season, I'm already feeling like time is flying by.

As usual, there's a lot happening in the coastal world, too – at MRD we've been busy diving deep into CPRA's draft FY27 Annual Plan and planning my favorite event of the year, Cook-Off for the Coast (more on both of those below).

I hope y’all are finding time in all the busyness of the new year to rest and be with the people you love, and that we’ll see you out there soon having fun and supporting our coast!

Jordan Phillips
Outreach Coordinator
Restore the Mississippi River Delta

[link removed]

Maurepas Swamp. Photo by Sydney Walsh.

Make Your Voice Heard! AP27 Comments due February 17th

Now that in-person hearings for the Annual Plan have wrapped up, it’s time to get started on your written comments! These are due February 17th (also known as Fat Tuesday).

In our analysis of the Annual Plan
[link removed] each year, we watch carefully for a balance between restoration and protection, progress on our priority projects, and responsible use of funding to get the most benefit. This year, for the first time in more than a decade, the yearly funding plan does not contain any large-scale river reconnection projects. These types of projects are the best, most effective long-term solution to build and maintain land. And questions still remain around the remaining Deepwater Horizon oil spill dollars that would have been spent on the now-cancelled Mid-Barataria and Mid-Breton Sediment Diversions.

However, there's a lot to feel encouraged about in this plan as well. Progress has been made and funding prioritized for several critical projects we support, including long-overdue progress in the MRGO ecosystem restoration area, the Calcasieu-Sabine Marsh Creation Project, and the River Reintroduction into Maurepas Swamp. It's important to celebrate wins while still holding the state to its own science-based master plan.

Ways to submit a comment:

1) Email: [email protected]
[email protected]?subject=FY27%20Annual%20Plan%20Comment (Subject line: FY 27 Annual Plan Comment)

2) CPRA’s online portal: ap27.coastal.la.gov
[link removed]

3) By mail:
Annual Plan Comment
150 Terrace Avenue
Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Cook-Off for the Coast: February 28th

Cook-Off for the Coast is right around the corner! Come spend the day with us at Docville Farm on February 28th
[link removed] and enjoy live music, great food, and a celebration of coastal Louisiana’s vibrant culture. It's a great reminder each year of why we do the work we do: to keep communities safe and thriving and to protect the places we live, work, and play for generations to come.

Feeling inspired? Show off your creativity by entering the Hope for the Coast art contest! Submissions are due February 15th. Enter by filling out this form. Review contest guidelines and see previous winners at coastcookoff.com/art
[link removed].
Want to help us make the magic happen? We're still looking for sponsorships to help bring y’all the best event possible! All proceeds go to the Nunez Coastal Studies Scholarship Program
[link removed]. Email [email protected]
[email protected]?subject=Cook-Off%20Sponsor to find out how to become a sponsor.

Featured Event: Science Time! At Siberia

The MRD team had so much fun last month seeing our colleague Alisha Renfro and our frequent collaborator Alex Kolker share their work on Neptune Pass for a packed house, and this Thursday Science Time! at Siberia
[link removed] is back with more coastal topics.

If you’re in New Orleans, go grab a drink and learn about risk and resilience on Louisiana’s barrier islands. And if you can't make this one, these events happen monthly, so stay tuned
[link removed] for the next opportunity to nerd out.

[link removed]

On the Road with MRD

1/29 - Weekly Bucktown bird walks
[link removed] Every Thursday from 4-5pm (New Orleans)
2/25 - CPRA Board Meeting (location TBA)
2/28 - Cook-Off for the Coast
[link removed] (Violet)
3/18 - CPRA Board Meeting (Baton Rouge)
3/28 - City Park Bass Rodeo & FishTival (New Orleans)
[link removed]

[link removed]

[link removed]

[link removed]

[link removed]

Visit our website ([link removed]) | Unsubscribe ([link removed])