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.

Study Area: Southwest Louisiana and Central Acadiana

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

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EXPECTED OUTCOMES

Prioritizing the Most Impactful Risk Reduction Actions

The project will focus on what matters most in the region. The project will review current information on climate risks and develop new information about how those risks are changing and possible impacts. 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-Based Vision of Resilience

This project will listen to and document community 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.

PROCESS

PROJECT TIMELINE

PROJECT LEAD

PARTNERS AND COLLABORATORS

- Acadiana Center for the Arts
- Acadiana Planning Commission/ Louisiana Watershed Initiative 5
- American Society of Adaptation Professionals
- Atchafalaya Basinkeeper

Atelier de la Nature
Bayou Culture Collaborative
Center for Planning Excellence
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

This effort was made possible through funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office for Coastal Management awarded in 2024.

We are always looking to grow this network together

Contact Details

sdomingue@tulane.edu