St y l e C ha n g e maker s
Kristi Trail Executive Director, Pontchartrain Conservancy By Lindsay Mack
GET INVOLVED Both donations and volunteers are welcome at this time. In the winter months, volunteers help plant trees. Heading into the spring season, volunteers pick up litter and clear storm drains in advance of the heavy rains.
Born in the New Orleans area, Kristi Trail grew up near Lake Pontchartrain. At that time, it was a heavily polluted body of water. She recalls when the Pontchartrain Conservancy (formerly the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation) organization formed, and she sported a Save Our Lake bumper sticker through high school. A lifelong environmentalist, Trail started an environmental club in high school, found ways to reduce waste around her home, and began an environmental club in college. Her career path went a different way, and she spent 20 years in engineering work.
But environmental care remained a constant side gig, and she ran programs at the office to promote recycling. When the executive director position at Pontchartrain Conversancy opened, Trail welcomed the opportunity to make environmental care a full-time career. In this role, Trail works to help residents understand the value of the coastal area in South Louisiana. Living in such a water-rich area calls for careful stewardship. “We need to appreciate it and take care of our water. That goes back to both water quality and water quantity and how to manage them,” said Trail.
The Pontchartrain Conservancy also works in the K-12 education space and partners with educators in the region. In addition to teaching students more about the region’s water resources, Trail and her team hope to inspire students to pursue careers in the water sector, whether on the science, communication, or technical side of things. Ultimately, the organization works to ensure the people of southeast Louisiana can continue to live and thrive here. Trail encourages residents to examine how they live in this water-rich environment and find a way to survive, grow and prosper. ✦
In addition, there are many more ways to get involved with the Pontchartrain Conservancy. Visit The New Canal Lighthouse Museum at 8001 Lakeshore Drive to learn more about the lake and current coastal issues. Become a community scientist to collect water in sample bottles and search for the presence of microplastics. Or, join the outreach team to keep the community informed about the region’s coastal area. Every bit helps promote understanding and stewardship of the Pontchartrain Basin and its role in the southeast Louisiana community. Pontchartrain Conservancy scienceforourcoast.org
PHOTO BY CHERYL GERBER
20 ST. CHARLES AVENUE MAY 2022
