Description

This Ellevate Louisiana tour offers an immersive, first-hand experience and deeper understanding of the beauty, importance and what’s at stake as Louisiana loses a football field of wetlands every 100 minutes. Enjoy the sights, smells and sounds of the largest and most diverse wetland ecosystems in the continental U.S. See the devastating impact of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO) on the loss of area wetlands and flooding after Katrina. Explore the “Great Wall of Louisiana”, the largest civil works design-build flood construction project in the history of the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. Understand priority coastal restoration projects in the area that are part of the largest climate adaptation project in the world. View the “Golden Triangle” Project, a coastal restoration project under construction that is providing critical flood protection and wildlife habitat for St. Bernard and New Orleans communities. Enjoy a relaxing lunch on the bayou with friends and colleagues while further exploring the challenges, opportunities and ways that leaders and influencers can advocate for and be good stewards of coastal Louisiana.

Attire: We are going to be seeing everything by boat on this tour. Please dress comfortably. Closed toe shoes recommended but not required.   

9:00 am            Arrive at Parish Marina, 6301 Paris Road, St. Bernard/ Introductions/Tour Overview

9:30-11:30 am          Board 18 or 27 Passenger Boat for Site Visit of Flood Control/ Coastal Restoration Projects

• Community Fishing Fleet
• Central Wetlands Marsh Ecosystem and Wildlife
• Lake Borgne Surge Protector; Mississippi River Gulf Outlet; NASA/ Michoud Facility
• Wetlands Restoration Project:  Golden Triangle
• Battery Bienvenue

11:30 am          Q&A/Lunch- Enjoy at box lunch from Café Aquarius and the beautiful views and wildlife of Bayou Bienvenue

12:30 pm          Depart