The Bayou Culture Collaborative will host Culture and Climate Conversations, a series of community discussions intended to raise awareness about the cultural impact of the state’s environmental changes. At six events across south Louisiana, community members will explore how climate shifts and rapid land loss are affecting arts, heritage, and traditions.

Culture and Climate Conversations offers local artists an important platform to present their crafts, rituals, traditional practices, and other local knowledge now at risk. “As our land is changing,” said by Jonathan Foret, one of the founding members of the BCC, “we need to be intentional about preserving our culture.” This is one of many BCC projects intended to create networks of concerned Louisianians to develop action steps for endangered communities and traditions. The public is invited to participate in the BCC. For more information, see the Louisiana Folklore Society’s website.

Unless otherwise noted, all events are free and open to the public. Culture and Climate Conversations is funded through a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional support from the Louisiana Folklore Society. For more information, contact Teresa Parker at tcparker@tulane.edu.

Schedule of Events:

Healing Landscapes, Preserving Communities

Monday, September 18th, 3 p.m.

Georges Auditorium at Dillard University

2601 Gentilly Blvd, New Orleans

Panelists: Pamela Arnette Broom, Urban Agriculturalist, Project Manager, 7th Ward Revitalization Project; Diane Honoré, Creole Healer, Black Masking Big Queen of the Yellow Pocahontas, Historical Interpreter

Moderator: Mona Lisa Saloy, Dillard University Professor of English and former Louisiana Poet Laureate