Southwest Louisiana & Central Acadiana
RESILIENT FUTURE
In Southwest Louisiana and Central Acadiana, we envision a resilient future in which we understand and address our changing climate and its impacts through planning, projects, programs, and policies for our region and communities that equitably and holistically meet our needs.
PROJECT AREA
PARISHES
De Soto, Sabine, Vernon, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Rapides, Allen, Jefferson Davis, Vermilion, Avoyelles, Evangeline, St. Landry, Acadia, Lafayette, Pointe Coupee, St. Martin, Iberville, Iberia, St. Mary
WATERSHEDS
Sabine, Calcasieu, Mermentau, Vermilion-Teche, Atchafalaya
FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBES
Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana, Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana, and Tunica- Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana. The project is also working with state-recognized and non-recognized Tribes
Study Area: Southwest Louisiana and Central Acadiana
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Increased understanding of possible impacts and prioritization of actions to reduce them
The project will focus on what matters most in the region. The project will review current information on climate risks and develop new information as needed. It will list best practices, including projects, programs, and policies; prioritize actions; and move selected projects forward for further analysis and preparation for implementation.
Community engagement that listens to and documents the range of needs, goals, and ideas related to resilience
Grassroots organizations will constitute a Community Committee, which will ensure consistent and meaningful community engagement through each step of the project. The project will keep Tribal Nations and organizations informed of all activities so that they may engage as they determine appropriate, as sovereign governments.
Increased coordination and collaboration
The project will bring together two existing regional groups, Louisiana Watershed Initiative (LWI) Region 4 and the Acadiana Planning Commission/LWI Region 5, to focus on shared challenges and strategies for collaboration on solutions. The LWI regions, with their parishes and cities, as well as Tribes who choose to participate, will constitute a Governance Committee for the project.
Long-term capacity
The shared regional commitment to this project and its outcomes will be the foundation for a regional collaborative with enduring capacity. The project will also provide opportunities for workforce development and information sharing through the creation of tailored trainings, toolkits, and other products.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR INVOLVEMENT
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
We need assistance with getting input from people throughout the region. We also welcome participation in the Community Committee to guide the engagement process.
GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT
We welcome participation in the Governance Committee to guide the process of integrating community input into decision making, strengthen coordination and collaboration, and support capacity-building.
Project Dates
October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2029
PROJECT LEAD
PARTNERS AND COLLABORATORS
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- Acadiana Center for the Arts
- Acadiana Planning Commission/ Louisiana Watershed Initiative 5
- American Society of Adaptation Professionals
- Atchafalaya Basin Keeper
- Atelier de la Nature
- Bayou Culture Collaborative
- Center for Planning Excellence
- For a Better Bayou
- Lake Charles Urbanized Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
- Louisiana Watershed Initiative Region 4
- Lowlander Center
- Micah 6:8 Mission
- South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center at University of Oklahoma
- Southern Climate Impacts Planning Program
- Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance
- Southwest Louisiana Regional Planning Commission
- University of Louisiana at Lafayette: Louisiana Watershed Flood Center and Blanco Public Policy Center
- William Averette Anderson Fund
FUNDING AND COOPERATION
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Climate Resilience Regional Challenge (CRRC), Track One – Regional Collaborative Building and Strategy Development (Planning).
We are always looking to grow this network together
Contact Details
sdomingue@tulane.edu