What is the Lowlander Center?
The Lowlander Center is a 501c3 nonprofit organization specializing in collaborative community-level action that fosters resilient recovery and adaptation. The purpose of the Lowlander Center is to link, discuss, discern, and solve the immediate and long-term risks lowland communities face.
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Our participatory practices engage people, knowledge, and wisdom to create new ways of solving problems with nature-based solutions. We keep people and place at the center of the conversation. Over the past 10 years, the organization has grown as we continue to connect with communities and organizations of expanding specialties, backgrounds, and passions, all with a commitment to resiliency and recovery of all life, human and non-human.
How was the Lowlander Center formed?
A diverse team of friends formed the Lowlander Center 11 years ago to address the desire of communities with unique lowland risks to have a place to learn with and from each other and a plan to help keep families together and safe.
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Fifteen diverse communities from around the United States came together in October 2009 to share stories about their histories and risks. This pivotal event led to relationships with Indigenous and coastal communities in Alaska. Founding members include: Rosina Philippe, Grand Bayou Atakapa-Ishak-Chawasha Tribe; Theresa Dardar, Pointe au Chien Indian Tribe; May Nguyen, Village de L’Est; Evan Ponder, Young Adult Volunteer; Kristina Peterson, Pastor-Activist; Shirley Laska, Applied Environmental Sociologist; Rev. Richard Krajeski, Philosopher.
What challeneges does the Lowlander Center adress?
The Lowlander Center addresses the unfolding challenges experienced by lowland peoples and places. The team and its expanding network of partners collaborate on solutions to ensure families are safe, healthy, and together and communities remain intact.
How are the projects/programs resourced?
We use a “lean” team approach to implementing its projects in order to devote as much time and funding as possible to achieve tangible change. This means that all of our team members are volunteers. The only paid staff position is for accounting services required by our 501c3 status
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When a particular project warrants it, then a broader team of cohorts from the community and partners are formed. Only if there is a grant for expenses, are they paid for their work. For efforts that require a large response, such as supporting the recovery of the survivors of Hurricanes Laura and Delta in Louisiana and eastern Texas, volunteer efforts are recruited from the larger Lowlander team, often scattered around the country, especially students. We share with the next generation the importance of collaborative participatory action that seeks to make goodness happen for all life, human and nonhuman.
How can I get involved?
Resources of all types can always be tapped, and everything from volunteers to financial donations are always welcome. If you wish to volunteer or contribute to one of our projects, please contact Kristina Peterson, Lowlander Facilitator, at kristina@lowlandercenter.org
What organizations/relationships does the Lowlander Center have?
Check out our collaborators page!