What is the Lowlander Center?
The Lowlander Center is a 501c3 nonprofit organization specializing in collaborative community-level action to solve critical social and environmental issues surrounding climate adaptation. The purpose of the Lowlander Center is to link, discuss, discern and solve immediate and long-term climate risks.
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We refer to the Lowlander Center as an ‘adhocracy’ because we maintain an organic and non-hierarchical approach to its work through a facilitator. Our participatory practices engage diverse people, knowledge and wisdom to create new ways of solving systemic problems. We keep people of place at the center of the conversation. Over the past 10 years, the organization has grown organically as we continue to connect with people and organizations of various specialties, backgrounds and passions, all with a heart of justice for the sacredness of all life, human and non-humans. Lowlander extends that flexibility by being a virtual organization and with its team being volunteers.
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 environmental hazards and risks to have a place to learn with and from each other.
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Fifteen diverse communities from around the United States came together in October 2009 to share stories about their environmental histories and risks. This pivotal event led to relationships with Indigenous and coastal communities in Alaska. Shortly after the Deep Water Horizon Disaster in 2010, a working partnership formalized to become the Lowlander Center. 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 challenges does the Lowlander Center address?
The Lowlander Center addresses the challenges experienced by people and places that have often been left out of formal decision making processes. The team comprising the Lowlander Center Board have broad expertise in justice advocacy, including housing, Indigenous and subsistence fishing rights, risk mitigation, food sovereignty, coastal sustainability, participatory problem solving and legal-human/environmental rights. We believe that urban, rural, Indigenous and historical communities who are on the front line of the land abuse and climate challenges common to the Louisiana coast are a force for rejuvenation and creative action.
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 thus socialize the next generation about a collaborative participatory justice approach while working toward achieving the projects’ goals.
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!