Meraux Foundation Environmental Program Manager Participates in National Conservation Meeting

Meraux Foundation Coastal and Environmental Program Manager Blaise Pezold is in Florida this week participating in the National Association of Conservation Districts annual meeting. The nonprofit organization represents the nearly 3,000 conservation districts across the United States, and Pezold is there learning and sharing best practices. 

“This has been a wonderful experience that is going to help enrich our conservation work in St. Bernard and across Louisiana,” said Pezold, who is attending the meeting on behalf of the Crescent Soil Water Conservation District. “ I’ve learned about erosion prevention practices in Washington state, food insecurity in St. Croix, conservation mentorship efforts on the Great Plains, and much more. Even though each area has its own unique challenges, many of the proven solutions can be tailored and applied to promote conservation in Louisiana.”

Pezold heads up the Meraux Foundation’s coastal and environmental initiatives, which include raising plants at Docville farm, coastal restoration plantings, an innovative artificial reef program, collaborating with schools, green/blue industry workforce development, oyster shell recycling, stakeholder convenings, and designing Coastal Wetland Planning Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA) projects.

[Photo: At the National Association of Conservation Districts annual meeting, Blaise Pezold (left) meets with Hans Lawaetz’ (center), a world-renowned  conservation leader for over 50 years who helped found the Virgin Islands Conservation District in 1965, and Joey Breaux (right), the Assistant Commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.]