Ensuring that the Lake Pontchartrain Basin stays clean and healthy is vital to the economy and quality of life in the New Orleans region — but it’s not guaranteed. The Pontchartrain Conservancy was founded in 1989 by a group of citizens concerned about the environmental challenges facing the Lake Pontchartrain Basin, a 10,000-square-mile watershed encompassing 16 Louisiana parishes. Years of successful activism and community engagement have led to dramatic improvements in the water quality of the lake and its surrounding watersheds. The Pontchartrain Conservancy conducts scientific investigations into coastal issues in the Pontchartrain basin to inform advocacy for coastal restoration initiatives and to ensure the sustainability of coastal ecosystems for future generations. The nonprofit also operates the New Canal Lighthouse on Lakeshore Drive. At the lighthouse, community members can discover the long history of the basin and the conservancy’s public outreach opportunities and educational programming. Learn from Pontchartrain Conservancy Executive Director Kristi Trail about how the organization uses scientific research, education and advocacy to help create an environmentally sustainable, prosperous, and resilient region.
The PRC’s Preserving New Orleans’ Future speaker series showcases innovation and investment to bring insight into opportunities for New Orleans’ future.
About the speaker:
Kristi L. Trail has served as executive director of the Pontchartrain Conservancy since 2016. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil and environmental engineering at Louisiana State University. Prior to joining Pontchartrain Conservancy, Trail worked as an engineer in various capacities in the energy sector and as a private consultant.
