ep. 07: Balancing Economy and Ecology on the Louisiana Gulf Coast
In this episode, Kristi Trail, Executive Director of the nonprofit Pontchartrain Conservancy explains the complex history and importance of maintaining a healthy regional watershed for both economic development and quality of life purposes. We discuss her leadership in Southeast Louisiana’s struggle to protect and preserve our coastal and inland waters from the adverse effects of urbanization and climate change. She contextualizes the potential for emerging technologies to preserve the region’s natural beauty and way of life for future generations, and explains how some of the Conservancy’s complimentary initiatives are working to build capacity with other education and research organizations (including local k-12 schools), helping stakeholders and decision makers to gain a better understanding about the environmental challenges the region’s future generations will face in the coming decades.
Kristi trail
Executive Director of the Pontchartrain Conservancy
Ms. Trail is an experienced senior-level manager committed to community engagement, professionalism, accountability, and results. She leads with excellent interpersonal communication skills honed by collegial and supervisory roles in industry, non-profit organizations, and volunteer service. She possesses a deep understanding of scientific and technical environmental issues from decades of direct experience with field testing, laboratory analysis, reporting, risk assessment, and compliance matters with air, land, and water. She earned her BS and MS in Civil & Environmental Engineering at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. Kristi is responsible for all aspects of governance and day-to-day operations for the Pontchartrain Conservancy, including managing a $3.4 million budget, 14-member board of directors, 30 full- and part-time employees and contractors, and activities at two locations:
• The Pontchartrain Conservancy’s New Canal Lighthouse Museum and Education Center houses outreach/education, public access, development and visitor/gift shop staff, as well as 21 trained volunteer docents.
Prior to joining The Pontchartrain Conservancy, Ms. Trail worked as an engineer in various capacities in the energy sector and as a private consultant. She is active in the New Orleans community, serving on many non-profit boards including Parkway Partners, Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans, LSU Health Sciences Center Foundation, and the Audubon Area Zoning Association. She is also an active member of the Women’s Professional Council of New Orleans. Additionally, she is a graduate of the Loyola University Institute of Politics (2005) and the Institute of Environmental Communications (2005).
OTHER EPISODE REFERENCES AND LINKS:
Pontchartrain Conservancy Education Initiatives; hands-on, inquiry-based projects that are community-focused. Through these projects, the Conservancy strives to provide comprehensive access for underserved populations to high quality environmental education.
The Data Center Coastal Dashboard gives access to a wealth of information about the state of coastal communities and ecosystems in terms of demographics, land loss, migration, and coastal restoration efforts.
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