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The Nature Conservancy in Africa - Conservation in Africa

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The Nature Conservancy in the Caribbean - Conservation in the Caribbean

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The Nature Conservancy in North America - Conservation in North America

The Nature Conservancy in the United States - Conservation in the United States

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One Year after Hurricane Katrina

 

Mississippi Assessment Detail Team clears trees in order to do a damage assessment of Conservancy preserve

Richard Martin, Director of Conservation Programs for the Louisiana chapter, clears fallen trees from a trail on a Conservancy preserve
© Tracie Martin/TNC

The Nature Conservancy - Great Places Network

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You can make a difference by joining The Nature Conservancy's Great Places Network. We are a global community of friends and neighbors working together to ensure the diversity of life on Earth.

As a member of this FREE online community, you''ll get great benefits, including Great Places, our monthly e-newsletter. You'll also get conservation action tips, nature e-cards, desktop wallpaper and ways you can make a difference right now.

Remains of a stilted house after Hurricane Katrina swept through Grand Isle in Louisiana of the Unit

Remains of a stilted house after Hurricane Katrina swept through Grand Isle in Louisiana. © Joshua Paul

Gulf Coast communities and ecosystems are recovering, but much still needs to be done

In the year since Hurricane Katrina devastated coastal areas across the Gulf of Mexico, signs of hope are appearing. Residents are slowly moving back into repaired or new homes. Businesses are rebounding and communities are more united than ever. We commend the efforts being made to help coastal communities recover.

As reconstruction and other activities take place around the Gulf to assist communities, it is imperative that action also be taken to ensure conservation and restoration of ecological systems that provide essential environmental services to coastal communities.

The Gulf’s coastal and wetland areas generate billions of dollars each year through fisheries, recreation and tourism. Healthy coastal areas are a vital tool in protecting communities against storms by absorbing damaging wind and wave energy.

At the same time, these generous landscapes are the essence of the quality and character of life in the Gulf Coast. They are part of a heritage treasured by residents and valued by visitors.

The revival of the Gulf’s coastal communities depends upon action being taken in the coming months and years to conserve and restore wetlands, coasts, forests, barrier islands and other natural areas to ensure the Gulf of Mexico is healthy and productive for today and future generations.