SELA Adaptation Forum Launch Convening
The Southeast Louisiana Adaptation Forum was launched at a convening on Thursday, January 22, 2026, held at the Greater New Orleans Foundation. Over 130 people came together in support of a shared goal to accelerate the equitable implementation of green, resilient infrastructure and climate adaptation projects.
Program highlights included:
Powerful remarks from Josh Lewis of the Tulane ByWater Institute to demonstrate the value of this effort and officially announce the formation of the Southeast Louisiana Adaptation Forum
Senator Mary Landrieu and Dr. Lauren Augustine of the National Academies’ Gulf Research Program, in a keynote conversation moderated by Andy Kopplin of the Greater New Orleans Foundation provided historical context of “living with water” and post-Katrina resilience while offering clear-eyed inspiration and hope for future progress
Real-world examples of the power and value of regional collaboratives from Darbi Berry, the leader of the San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative
Members of the Organizing Committee explaining the details of Forum Membership, structure, and what to expect for 2026.
Engaged participants providing feedback and suggestions for Forum next steps
There was strong collaborative energy, and everyone took advantage of opportunities to network with colleagues from around the region, especially over a delicious lunch provided by Joie de Vie catering. Many people enjoyed the meal in the Foundation’s beautiful courtyard that serves as an example of green stormwater infrastructure with cisterns (above and below ground), rain gardens, and a permeable parking lot.
You can review all the feedback shared during the Collective Impact Engagement Activity here, and you can get more information on Forum Membership here. The Membership Application will open later this spring.
Thanks to everyone who contributed their time and energy to making the launch of the Southeast Louisiana Adaptation Forum a huge success. The Organizing Committee is excited to continue building the collective impact of the Forum. Cheers to adaptation through collaboration!
In case you missed it, you can view the program Below:
By clicking on “View in Zoom Clips” in the bottom right corner, you can view specific clips reflecting the sections listed above.