8-9 a.m.

Coffee

9-10:30 a.m.

Opening Plenary Session

Southwest Louisiana as a Cradle of Coastal Innovation
Two decades of CRMS data suggest that southwest Louisiana may be America’s most fixable wetland, revealing an extraordinary opportunity to reverse land loss through science-based management and restoration. For decades, the region has pioneered innovations to realize that opportunity. From marsh terraces and shoreline protection to adaptive management and restoration planning, ideas developed here continue to shape wetlands management across Louisiana and beyond.

Moderator: Robert Twilley – LSU
Presenters: Leigh Anne Sharp – CPRA
Scooter Trosclair – LDWF
John Foret – Fenstermaker

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10:30-11 a.m.

Coffee

11 a.m.-noon

Concurrent Sessions

1. Vulnerable, Resilient, Restorable – Insights Gained from 20 Years of Coastwide Reference Monitoring System (CRMS) Data Collection on the Chenier Plain

Moderator: Greg Grandy – CPRA
Presenters: Leigh Anne Sharp – CPRA
Bernard Wood – CPRA
Adam Constantin – CPRA
Session Organizer: Leigh Anne Sharp – CPRA

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2. LNG on the Landscape: Beneficial Use of Dredged Material as a Coastal Restoration Opportunity in Southwest Louisiana

Moderator: Gus Fontenot – Southwest Louisiana Chamber of Commerce
Panelists: Jake Alford – Woodside Energy
Dean Roberts – Stream Wetland Service
Sara Judson – Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana
Session Organizer: Heather Hohensee – Woodside Energy

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3. Behind the Lines: Flood Protection in Southwest Louisiana

Moderator: Windell Curole
Panelists: Benson Langlinais – Iberia Parish Levee, Hurricane, and Conservation District
Kara Bonsall – Cameron Parish Police Jury
Michael Brocato – St. Mary Levee District
Scooter Trosclair – LDWF
Shannon Neveaux – Vermilion Parish Coastal Restoration and Protection Committee
Session Organizer: Thomas McGinnis – Vermilion Parish Police Jury

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4. Explore, Experience and Conserve Our Coast: Three Case Studies of Coastal Conservation Experiences that Inspire Locals and Visitors

Moderator: Matt Young – Visit Lake Charles
Presenters: Lauren Leonpacher – CWPPRA
Gary Salathe – Louisiana Iris Conservation Initiative
Helen Siewers – National Park Service
Session Organizer: Jill Galmarini – Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana

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Noon-1:30 p.m.

Lunch Plenary Session

Growth and Opportunity
Southwest Louisiana is entering a period of significant opportunity. Economic growth, coastal restoration and community resilience can reinforce one another when guided by thoughtful planning, strong partnerships and a shared commitment to protecting the region’s character.

Speakers to be announced.

1:30-2:30 p.m.

Concurrent Sessions

5. Marsh Management within the Calcasieu-Sabine Basin: History, Challenges, and Solutions

Moderator: Katie Freer-Leonards – CPRA
Presenters: Jessica Diez – CPRA
Mark Mouledous – CPRA
Phillip Parker – CPRA
Session Organizer: Mark Mouledous – CPRA

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6. Integrated Coastal Flood Protection: Infrastructure, Innovation, and Adaptation

Moderator: Tyler Ortego – Natrx
Presenters: Allen Lemaire – International Shoreline Protection and Restoration, LLC
Kazungu Maitaria – McBADE Engineers and Consultants, LLC
Session Organizer: Rene Escuriex – Scattered Acres Ranch, LLC

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7. Shoreline Protection and Flood Risk Reduction in Southwest Louisiana

Moderator: John Foret – Fenstermaker
Presenters: Wade Hamilton – Fenstermaker
Matt Salmon – Freese and Nichols
Will Cenac – HDR
Dion Broussard – CPRA
Session Organizer: Daniel Dehon – Fenstermaker

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8. Preserving Place: Residents’ Relation to Cameron’s Coast

Moderator: Megan Poole – University of Texas at Austin
Panelists: Andrew Tingler – Sabine Lighthouse Preservation Society
Scooter Trosclair – LDWF
Sam Bordelon – Contraband Charters
Session Organizer: Megan Poole – University of Texas at Austin

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3-4 p.m.

Concurrent Sessions

9. Hydrology, Inundation Relief, and Marsh Management in the Chenier Plain

Moderator: Nicholas McCoy – NRCS
Presenters: Harry Spavin – Fenstermaker
Garland Pennison – HDR
Thomas McGinnis – Vermilion Parish Police Jury
Brad Lambert – Ducks Unlimited
Session Organizer: Daniel Dehon – Fenstermaker
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10. Chenier Ridge and Coastal Marsh Management Strategies

Moderator: TBD – Royal
Presenters: Geoffrey Udoff – USACE
Aaron Bass – Chenier Environmental Consulting, LLC
Session Organizer: Beau Tate – Royal

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11. Designing Restoration and Management Techniques to Maximize Avian Habitat Benefits

Moderator: Eddie Lyons – McNeese University
Presenters: Jon Wiebe – LDWF
Bob Dew – Ducks Unlimited
Jessica Henkel – The Water Institute
Session Organizer: Garvin Pittman – The Water Institute

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12. Bayou Greenbelt

Moderator: Sara Judson – Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana
Panelists: Helen Siewers – National Park Service
Garvin Pittman – The Water Institute
Mike Nodier – Polaris Engineering
Session Organizer: Jill Galmarini – Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana

Learn more.

4-5 p.m.

Closing Plenary Session

The Land, the Water, the People
Southwest Louisiana’s land and water support hunting, fishing, ports, agriculture, energy, recreation and communities with deep cultural roots. These enduring connections continue to define the character and identity of the region.

Speakers to be announced.