Lowlander Center

TO HELP CREATE SOLUTIONS TO LIVING WITH AN EVER-CHANGING COASTLINE AND LAND LOSS WHILE VISIONING A FUTURE THAT BUILDS CAPACITY AND RESILIENCE FOR PLACE AND PEOPLE.

COASTAL COMMUNITIES COLLABORATION - THE COASTAL COMMUNITIES OF SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA INCLUDE BAYOU COMMUNITIES AT RISK DUE TO LAND LOSS FROM INDUSTRIALIZATION, MOSTLY FROM OIL-RELATED WORK, AND FROM CLIMATE CHANGE. MANY OF THE COMMUNITIES HAVE SIMILARITIES IN THAT THEY HAVE BEEN IN PLACE FOR MANY GENERATIONS. THEY ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN HISTORICALLY DISPLACED, ESCAPED, SOLD, OR PUSHED OUT OF OTHER REGIONS OF THE WORLD. THE BAYOU COMMUNITIES HAVE DEEP ROOTS AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE LAND, WATER, AND TRADITIONS OF THEIR AREA, WHICH IS NOW THREATENED. NEW MAPS CREATED EVERY SEVERAL MONTHS BY VARIOUS AGENCIES AND RESEARCH TEAMS ARE ONLY CONFIRMING WHAT THE PEOPLE ALREADY KNOW- THE LAND IS VANISHING FASTER THAN PLANS FOR RESTORATION OR ACTION TO ACCOMMODATE THE INHABITANTS, HUMAN AND NON-HUMAN. OUT OF THESE CONCERNS, A LOOSE COALITION OF COMMUNITIES, TRIBES, AND PEOPLE HAVE FORMED VARIOUS NETWORKS AND TIMELY ALLIANCES TO ADDRESS BOTH ROOT CAUSES AND TO BUILD AGENCY- CAPACITY OF COMMUNITIES TO HAVE VOICE AND DECISION POWER OVER THEIR LIVES AND OF THE PLACES THEY LOVE SO MUCH. AS ONE LEADER HAS SAID, 'WE CAN ONLY CONTINUE TO ADAPT IN PLACE UNTIL THERE ARE OTHER ALTERNATIVES AVAILABLE AND THOSE ALTERNATIVES WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE TO US UNLESS WE MAKE IT HAPPEN.' THE COASTAL COMMUNITIES COLLABORATIVE PROJECT SUPPORTS THE WORK OF THE COASTAL COMMUNITIES.

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST SOCIAL COMMITTEE - THIS GROUP FOCUSES ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND INNOVATION FELLOWSHIP WHILE PRACTICING MATRIX FOR CLIMATE FORCED MIGRATION. IN SOUTHERN LOUISIANA, COMBINING THE BEST PRINCIPLES OF HUMAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, WE HAVE DEVELOPED A MATRIX THAT COMMUNITIES CAN USE AS THEY ARE CONSIDERING ADAPTATION MEASURES. THE MATRIX INCLUDES GREEN, STORM MITIGATION, PERMACULTURE, DIVERSITY, AND MEASURE CONSIDERED BY THE TRADES AS PLATINUM STANDARDS. WORKING WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, SUSTAINABLE FARMERS/FISHERS, TRIBAL COMMUNITIES, THE PRINCIPLES WILL BE PUT INTO PRACTICE WITH THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS BEING THE TECHNICAL EXPERTS AS WELL AS THE IMPLEMENTERS AND EVALUATORS TO DO THE BEST TECH TRANSFER. EXPLORATION OF COMMUNITY LAND TRUSTS TO SECURE THE PROPERTY FOR BOTH IMMEDIATE USES AND WITH LAND IN NORTHERN REALMS THAT NEEDS GREEN-REJUVENATION-RETAINING IT FOR FUTURE COMMUNITY RESETTLEMENTS.

COVID-19 AND HURRICANE RESPONSE & PLANNING - THE LOWLANDER CENTER HAS BEEN INVOLVED WITH ADVOCACY WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO HAVE THE TYPES OF PROTECTION AND RESOURCES TO PROTECT THEMSELVES DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC. THE PLANNING AND ADVOCACY INCLUDES THE USE OF 'FARM TO TABLE' SEAFOOD PRODUCTS AND HIRING THE FISHERS TO PROVIDE SEAFOOD FOR THE EXTENDED HUNGRY COMMUNITY. THE HURRICANES, 8 CONES OF UNCERTAINTY COVERED LOUISIANA WHICH IMPACTED HOMES AND LIVELIHOODS OF COASTAL RESIDENTS. SEVERAL OF THE HURRICANES DID SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE WHICH HAS BECOME A FOCUS OF LOWLANDER INCLUDING THE REBUILDING OF HOMES AND DEVELOPMENT OF A HOME GROUND WORKFORCE.

TO HELP CREATE SOLUTIONS TO LIVING WITH AN EVER-CHANGING COASTLINE AND LAND LOSS WHILE VISIONING A FUTURE THAT BUILDS CAPACITY AND RESILIENCE FOR PLACE AND PEOPLE.