Renewable Resource Institute
Dr. Griff Blakewood currently serves as Action Head of the Department of Renewable Resources at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He has a long history of working with LEAN. He is presently working to establish the “Discovery Trail” which is designed to connect primary and secondary school educators with opportunities to teach hands-on science in a natural setting.
Bluff Swamp Wildlife Refuge
Frank Bonifay is a resident of Prairieville, but you are more likely to find him at Alligator Bayou. He is working to preserve 1,300 acres of old growth swamp and wetlands through a project that includes a wildlife refuge and an environmental and wilderness education program. The area being preserved is south of Baton Rouge and is threatened by industrial development, chemical contamination and urban sprawl.
Grand Bois Citizens Against Toxic Chemicals
Clarice Friloux of Grand Bois in Lafourche Parish is the president of the local citizens group which formed a few years ago to fight the massive oil field waste disposal facility next to her community. When Exxon dumped more than 80 semi-trailer truck loads of waste from Alabama at the dump site she and her neighbors became sick. Her fight was the focus of a CBS hour long special hosted by Ed Bradley.
Oakville Community Action Group
Rose Jackson is a vocal activist who works on solid waste issues. She has a landfill in her “backyard” and she organizes and motivates her communitu around the issue. She demands accountability from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.
Association of Family Fisherman/ Louisiana Bayoukeeper
Tracy Kuhns lives in Lafitte and is working as a community organizer. Her work includes educating and organizing Louisiana’s coastal family fishermen in an effort to get them involved in toxics and wetland issues. She is extremely familiar with superfund issues as she is a former resident near the Brio Superfund site south of Houston.
Calcasieu League for Environmental Action Now(CLEAN)/ Sabine Riverkeeper
Paul Ringo is a resident of Lake Charles and works as a registered nurse. Most recently, Paul became the official Sabine Riverkeeper. He is an active environmental leader in Calcasieu Parish who has been involved in several major environmental battles.
Tulane Environmental Research Center
Jerry Speir is a resident of New Orleans and has a private law practice there. He is a former professor at Tulane University Law School and was a member of the LEAN founding committee. Jerry says that he was active in environmental organizations in the state for more than a decade before he lost his mind and went to law school. He received his law degree from Yale University.
North Louisiana Environmental Coalition/ Ouachita Riverkeeper
Cheryl Slavant is a resident of Monroe and owner of an insurance agency. She led a battle against noise pollution from a dirt car race track near her home. She has also worked on ground water contamination problems in her community.
Louisiana Wildlife Federation
Kathy is the first woman to hold a statewide office with the Louisiana Wildlife Federation and is currently serving as 1st Vice President. Kathey serves as Vice-Chair of the Governor’s Advisory Task Force on Funding and Efficiency of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. She has represented LEAN as a legislative monitor for many years. Kathy was featured by The Baton Rouge Advocate in an article recognizing environmentally involved citizens.
