Sinews in the Cypress: Our Year in Review

In this installment of Sinews in the Cypress, we explore the environmental rollercoaster of a year that was 2021 in New Orleans. We will be joined by Logan Burke, the Executive Director of the Alliance for Affordable Energy, and Aron Chang, an urban designer, co-lead at the Water Leaders Institute, and member of the Civic Studio Cooperative. Logan Burke brings expertise in energy policy and is a leader in many different types of environmental advocacy occurring in the city and region. Aron Chang is at the forefront of water policy, with a particular focus on living with water, and he brings a technical and creative expertise that few can match. Both of our esteemed guest speakers are deeply knowledgeable and involved in environmental work — we are so honored to have them join us in exploring some of the year’s trials and tribulations through their perspectives. The event will be moderated by our Earth Rising Coordinator, Zachary Lang.

We hope to highlight some of the most important environmental work that is going on in the region and discuss possible areas for our community to stay involved.

We hope to see you there!

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The name Sinews in the Cypress speaks to the deep ties that Louisianans have to their environment and more specifically the wetlands. The Bald Cypress is the state tree of Louisiana, a staple of the most prevalent ecosystem in the state and is one of the most ubiquitous and broadcasted species found throughout the state. In the environmental world it is ambassador for the wetlands and Louisiana. The Bald Cypress is also extremely resilient, much like the population of Louisiana, and is resistant to decay, often called the wood eternal. The term sinew has two connected yet different meanings. First, it is used to describe a piece of tough fibrous tissue uniting tissue to bone as well as bone to bone. The other definition for a sinew is the part of a structure or system that gives it strength and binds it together. The term sinew gives a humanistic vision to the project as well as a show of strength and resilience that the people as well as the Louisiana environment display. Lastly, when the bald cypress grows in the swamps it develops a unique texture that is often described as sinewy, resembling tendons in person.