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

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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

- 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