EarthEcho International

The wetlands of coastal Louisiana have long sustained both people and wildlife by providing food, refuge, and habitat for coastal marine life, supporting the livelihoods and cultural traditions of coastal communities, and protecting shorelines from erosion and flooding. Yet these vital ecosystems are disappearing at an alarming rate. According to The Nature Conservancy, Louisiana loses an average of 25–30 square miles of coastal wetlands each year. Protecting coastal communities and the ecosystems they depend on requires ongoing restoration efforts to and strengthen their resilience for the future.

As part of EarthEcho’s 2026 Blue Carbon Ambassador program, EarthEcho is proud to partner with the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana and the Bayou Youth Leadership Project to support four Louisiana-based Ambassadors, Gabriel Barnett, Marlett Hernandez-Fitch, Marlys Hernandez-Fitch, and Natalie Morales, in leading restoration projects. Sign up to participate in their upcoming events at https://earthecho.org/blue-carbon-ambassadors

We deeply appreciate our partners' investment in youth leadership and their dedication to building sustainable blue economy workforce pathways. Together, we're strengthening community resilience by supporting ongoing restoration initiatives while equipping young leaders with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience needed to drive lasting community-based impact.