Sea Grant Superior Achievement Award

I had a chance last week to participate in an awards ceremony with recipients of the Superior Outreach Award from the National Assembly of Sea grant Extension Program Leaders (ASGEPL). Three Louisiana Sea Grant/LSU AgCenter Extension Agents, Albert "Rusty" Gaude' from Plaquemines Parish, Kevin Savoie from Southwest Louisiana, and Mark Schexnayder from Southeast Louisiana were honored for their efforts in assisting commercial fishermen and local governments following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

These men worked to bring a Marine Travelift from Valdez, Alaska to Empire, Louisiana to help get commercial fishing vessels back in the water, helped seafood processors go back into production, acquired and installed ice making equipment for fishermen and processors, assisted in relocating fishing vessels and coordinated storm debris removal. I was honored and humbled to be included in the national award with this trio for helping to rebuild critical fisheries infrastructure with the Marine Travelift portion of their efforts.

“Their work is a magnificent example of what a few dedicated Sea Grant people can accomplish working in a Sea Grant fashion – addressing a critical need in a timely, professional manner, and enlisting and involving multiple agencies and citizens’ groups,” said Jack Thigpen, ASGEPL chair. “What distinguishes their work from the other truly excellent nominees from the Sea Grant network this year is that the Louisiana project was conceived, started, and carried out while the agents themselves were in extremis due to the personal impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on them.”

During the award presentation in San Diego, Grant Chuck Wilson, the Executive Director of Louisiana Sea Grant presented me with a copy of Marsh Mission by CC Lockwood and Rhea Gary. Marsh Mission offers two visual interpretations of Louisiana's imperiled wetlands.

Gaude', Savoie and Schexnayder's efforts are chronicled in a documentary titled Sister Storms: A Louisiana Sea Grant Response. Best of luck to these great people!

Tags: Sea Grant, ASGEPL, Louisiana Sea Grant Extension, Hurricane Katrina

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Absolute Write Blogchain No. 11

Gillian at Food History says in her post for Absolute Write Blogchain No. 11, "I think this calls for chocolate. Eat it while fully focused and aware of every microsecond of smooth richness, then breeze on over to A View From The Waterfront, to see where this chain goes next." This combined with Jim Melvin's introspection at The Death Wizard Chronicles and a love for chocolate leaves me to make a connection to the waterfront.

If it is a matter of finding a sacred place from which to draw strength, the waterfront is my focus. I suspect the coast holds this importance for many of us. Those of us living on the coast, deriving a livelihood from it, and depending on the ocean for food find that a connection of interdependence exists for us.

We take food from the sea and it provides us a vocation. I had the privilege to serve on the Southeast Alaska Federal Subsistence Regional Advisory Council were I learned a little of Native concerns for wild foods and protecting our relationship with the resources. Subsistence is a lifeway and not necessarily just a matter of numbers or management regime. Gathering, preparation, sharing, and respect for natural sources of food is shows that a subsistence lifestyle goes beyond the use a simple term.

Drawing these benefits from the waterfront, we are reminded of the need to give something back to the ocean. A concern for the environment and a concern for all of creatures depend on it like we do is a good beginning. My career focus is in community development and the concept of community is an important part of personal well-being and mental health.

It has been another thoughtful Blogchain from the community at Absolute Write. I appreciate everyone contributing the success of this adventure!

Participants in AW Blogchain No. 11
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Virtual Wordsmith
(The Blog Formerly Known as) Taosbound
Virginia Lee: I Ain't Dead Yet!
Kappa No He
Playing With Words
A Thoughtful Life
Mad About Kites
Confessions of a Fat Chick
The Death Wizard Chronicles
Food History
A View From The Waterfront

awchain

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Tags: awchain, aw blogchain, subsistence

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