Atchafalaya Basinkeeper 20th Anniversary Gala

Atchafalaya Basinkeeper is celebrating its 20th Anniversary with a gala. Attendees will pass a good time listening to world class speakers from the Tulane Environmental Law Clinic, and Waterkeeper Alliance while they honor years of advocacy for the preservation and restoration of the Atchafalaya Basin, be entertained by one of the hottest names in Louisinana French music preservation, and enjoy the cuisine of one of Baton Rouge’s finest destinations. Opening the evening, musical entertainment will be provided by Louis Michot, Grammy award winning fiddle player and singer for Lost Bayou Ramblers. His passion for Louisiana French and local folklore, and sustainability in the fastest disappearing landmass in the world are what fuels his career as a musician. Atchafalaya Basinkeeper is honored by the evening speakers: Lisa Jordan, Director of Tulane Environmental Law Clinic is a Professor of the Practice at Tulane Law School and serves on the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council. Jordan and the clinic have received national recognition for representing citizens and environmental groups amid significant political and financial resistance. Jordan, a former prosecutor, assumed the directorship of the Tulane Environmental Law Clinic in 2017, having taught and litigated in the clinic beginning in 1996. Her experience spans the major federal and Louisiana state environmental and public access laws. Lisa will be sharing her role in the protection of the states wetlands and waterways, through supervising students and her work in representation of clients in Louisiana. Marine Scientist, Dr. Ivor van Heerden, co-founder of the LSU Hurricane Center, author of "The Storm - What Went Wrong and Why during Hurricane Katrina - the Inside Story from One Louisiana Scientist" Awards include - 2015 African American Leadership Project, Morris F.X. Jeff Jr. Community Service Award, "Giraffe Hero" and 2009 Joe Callaway Award for Civic Courage Dr. van Heerden is a native of South Africa, grew up enjoying and experiencing the great outdoors. In the 1970’s he started his graduate studies at Louisiana State University on the rapidly evolving deltas in Atchafalaya Basin. He returned to South Africa in 1983 where his research concentrated on the management of a coastal wetland system and marine park; now a world heritage site. Thereafter he sailed to the Caribbean, worked as a diver/scientist for NOAA on coral reefs. In 1991 he rejoined LSU and immediately got involved in the Basin and other coastal restoration programs, which precipitated co-founding the LSU Hurricane Center, which focused on storm surge prediction and other aspects of major tropical cyclones. The Center played a major role in the Hurricane Katrina preparation and response including researching the levee failures. In 2010 LSU fired him for talking 'truth to power.' Presently he lives on Chesapeake Bay and is involved with several non-profits as a environmental justice investigator. His daughter, Vanessa, who recently attained her PhD in marine sciences, is involved in Coastal Education and Outreach with Louisiana SeaGrant. Attendants will receive a good understanding about the importance of the Atchafalaya Basin for Louisiana, our country and the world and needed solutions to the many threats to this amazing ecosystems. Our keynote speaker of the evening will be Marc Yaggi the Chief Executive Officer of Waterkeeper Alliance. Marc will be speaking on the importance of the waterway systems globally, what it takes to protect important ecosystems like the Atchafalaya Basin, the impact of the Atchafalaya Basin locally and beyond. Yaggi serves as a leading voice for a global movement dedicated to securing clean, healthy, and abundant water for all people and the planet. Since joining Waterkeeper Alliance in 2005, Marc has demonstrated not only a deep personal commitment to clean water but also leadership in developing strategic partnerships and promoting the Waterkeeper model of advocacy globally. His strategic focus is on increasing public awareness of the organization’s mission and championing key priorities to safeguard the universal right to clean water in communities worldwide. As an accomplished author, his articles, op-eds, and research papers resonate across publications such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and Politico. His commentary has been featured in wire services like AP, Bloomberg, and Reuters, amplifying his influence in the global dialogue on environmental issues. Marc further advocates for change by serving on several advisory boards in the non-profit and for-profit sectors. His passion for clean water and dedication to the cause have inspired positive change on a global scale.

Event Links

Website: https://go.evvnt.com/2596174-0

Read More

View Less