UW Madison Water Resources Practicum

Bring Back the Bayou Summer 2007

1,000 Mi

Our Research Combines

Wetland Science

Social Science

And

UW - Madison Water Resources Management Practicum

• Ten master’s degree students acting as a volunteer consulting group, HCNA is client– Study wetland conditions and history– Survey community attitudes, needs and

knowledge of environmental issues– Gather baseline knowledge and assess

environmental situation in Bayou Bienvenue– Help HCNA / CSED develop environmental

strategy and action plan

UW-Madison WRM Final Products

• Background & analysis report for HCNA, community & future researchers (January)

• Help with strategic planning and grant writing (ongoing)

• Ongoing commitment from UW-Madison, Expanding to other departments

Our Initial Impressions

• Situation complicated, difficult, interesting

• Ecological restoration is possible but not guaranteed

• New Orleans is in big trouble from wetland loss

• Bayou Bienvenue can be the “poster child” for the Delta wetland crisis

• HCNA has big plans to help restore the swamp and the community together

http://www.environmentaldefense.org/page.cfm?tagID=500

Louisiana Gulf Coast Wetland Losses

Damaged Wetlands No Longer Provide:

Protection From

Storms

Ecosystem Services

Local Knowledge

Local residents Local residents have been witness to ecological changes.

They know the social and political reality

(Pleuss)

Specialized Knowledge

Best science is needed to make the best choices

Knowledge gives the community power

Southern Scrap

Dumping

Crescent Acres

Landfill

Sewage Treatment

PlantUrban Runoff

Q: Is the Fish Safe to Eat?Working Hypothesis: No

Restoration Close to

Community

Large Scale Restoration

Integrative Knowledge

Local people can fight for

Environmental and Social Justice with

knowledge and organization

(Malek-Wiley)

Holy Cross Neighborhood Association (HCNA) and the

Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development

CSEDCSED

Organize, Educate and Serve the Community

Bayou Bienvenue Restoration

HCNAHCNA

Sustainable Community

Redevelopment

Community

Environmental

CSED Overall Goals for the Bayou Bienvenue Project

Restore a Functioning

Wetland

Restore a Functioning

Wetland

Rebuild Storm Protection (Primary)

Re-establish Ecosystem

Services for the Community (Secondary)

WHY?

CSED Initiative: Community Environmental Restoration Center

Community-Based Environmental Action

Community Building

Citizen Science

Economic Development

Community Based Environmental Monitoring

BIRDS

FISH

PLANTS

Imminent Threat: Florida Avenue Bridge

“Betsy” The Lone

Cypress

Possible Initial Restoration Project

Possible Treatment Wetland

Use Runoff to Create Treatment Wetland

Lone Cypress “Betsy”

Fresh Storm Water

GLOBAL ISSUES REGIONAL CRISIS

LOCAL SOLUTIONS