Nicholls State University is launching its first Coastal Summit to raise awareness on Louisiana’s ongoing coastal crisis.
The Mississippi River Delta is rapidly disappearing, losing football fields worth of land every day. It is the fastest disappearing landmass on Earth. Nicholls, which is located in the area, sees this loss as a major issue that needs addressing.
Nicholls partnered with Restore the Mississippi River Delta and Nicholls’ Mass Communication Department to sponsor Louisiana’s Restoration Generation Coastal Summit.
It is taking place on March 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Student Union’s Cotillion Ballroom. It will feature nearly 20 coastal-related vendors, multiple panels and live music.
After the summit, Nicholls students are invited to attend the C’est Bon Celebration from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Ellender Memorial Library parking lot. Students can learn more about the coast and its significance through Cajun food, music, local artists and the white boot contest.
Nicki Boudreaux, director of the Nancy Sanderson Matherne Institute for Global Communication, created this summit as part of a service-learning project for her Environmental Communication, Global Communication and Public Relations Campaign classes.
They also made Louisiana’s Restoration Generation, a movement of college students aiming to engage all generations in promoting coastal preservation, advocacy and career exploration in restoration industries.
“They are already working towards a brighter future in coastal restoration,” Boudreaux said.
She said Louisiana is in a crucial moment in restoration efforts. By raising awareness on worldwide coastal loss, she hopes the summit will emphasize how “we are all in this together” and “all dealing with it.”
Boudreaux acknowledges that coastal loss is overwhelming to think about and that it might seem like there is no way to fix this, but there is.
“A lot of [the things you can do] are small, but small things add up to big change […] There are so many opportunities for big things, and we have the chance to advocate for them. We can make careers in areas that are going to make a difference. There is a lot that is worth saving,” Boudreaux said.
Follow Louisiana’s Restoration Generation at @larestorationgeneration on Instagram and Facebook to learn more about their coastal summit, the C’est Bon Celebration and more.
