In June 2007, Waterkeeper Alliance held its 9th Annual Waterkeeper
Conference in New Orleans, LA. More than 225 attendees from around the
world descended on Tulane University in the Big Easy to show their support
for the struggling city, the co-hosting Waterkeeper programs (Atchafalaya
Basinkeeper, Louisiana Bayoukeeper and Lower Mississippi Riverkeeper) and
all the other Waterkeeper programs in the Gulf of Mexico region. This year’s
conference included numerous advocacy panels and speeches, a restoration
project in the urban Bayou St. John and a healthy dose of local music and
food. Everyone
left New Orleans with a fond appreciation for the local community, energized
for another year of fighting for clean water until we see each other again
in Seattle in 2008!
Having all these powerful Waterkeepers in one place is magical.
Waterkeeper Alliance’s commitment to come to New Orleans, in spite
of all our challenges, and assist in our recovery is a true blessing. We
hope everyone took the spirit of the land, water and its people back
home with you. Thank you for leaving a piece of you with us. You are
the best of the best. It is as simple as that.
Marylee M. Orr
Executive Director
Louisiana Environmental Action Network/
Lower Mississippi Riverkeeper
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