The universal solvent, tasteless, colorless, and the most essential liquid for life is water. Louisiana culture and history goes hand to hand with water, from the beautiful historic bayous to the Mississippi River and the Gulf Coasts. These waterways are essential for Louisiana residents to thrive. Unfortunately, many residents are experiencing issues with access to clean water due to problems like flooding and pollution and students are working hard to help these problems through community projects and research as they take big steps to protect Louisiana water.
Loyola New Orleans Students in Action: At Loyola University New Orleans, undergraduate students are actively working towards protecting Louisiana waters. The Environmental Justice Program works with a variety of partners within the community, create selfmade projects, and participate in research as these students currently tackle Louisiana environmental issues. Some activities they have done are advocating for better water and land policies within the community and organized cleanup days. Loyola University New Orleans also hosted the Water Resiliency Workshop as high school students, college students, teachers, residents, and a wide variety of professionals came together to educate themselves on water resilience and sustainable water management.
Tulane ByWater Institute: Tulane ByWater Institute was created in 2016 to help protect Louisiana Coastal and waterways. The institute is in downtown New Orleans near the Mississippi River where faculty, students, and partners all come together to work on challenges that threaten Louisiana such as erosion, hurricanes, and flooding. In 2023 Tulane students and faculty were able to investigate and inform locals on the Salt Water Wedge Crisis, Saltwater was coming up into the Mississippi River and residents were warned to prepare as the drinking water would no longer be safe. Tulane students and faculty also tested waters post-Hurricane Ida with the main goal of informing residents of any potential chemicals in the water. Through research like this students are able to inform the community of possible threats to keep residents safe. ByWater Institute is a huge stepping stone to get residents, students, and professionals engaged to continue researching environmental issues.
LSU Tigers Protecting Waterways: Louisiana State University has over 200 faculty members that are devoted to just coastal research. Through various programs LSU faculty and students research many issues involving hurricanes, sea levels, and climate change. This year in 2025 LSU students spent spring break picking up over 42,820 pounds of trash across four miles on the shoreline of the Mississippi River. Taking action like this, students were able to protect the water and habitats. The University Lake Project which is a multiphase project created by LSU with the goals of helping restore water quality through healthier ecosystems, dredging and to make flood management better to protect residents.
UNO Students Advancements: UNO has received a grant from Keep Louisiana Beautiful which was used for the storm drain project. One of the main goals of this project is to protect Lake Pontchartrain while educating the community and students. Lake Pontchartrain is located near the campus and have noticed potential chemical runoff danger and litter which can harm the water quality. Over 10,000 students and faculty are working to create programs to educate people, inventory of drains, and signages to educate people. Through the UNO Pontchartrain Institute for Environmental Sciences research is being carried out with the goal of protecting the coast and its water. The Institute was able to receive a grant from the Board of Regents and is being used for lab equipment, field equipment, creating programs to educate students, and many more. UNO students are gaining hands-on experience to help protect Louisiana coast and water with a faculty of engineers, chemist, biologist, and scientist by their sides.
Conclusion: Louisiana students are stepping up to learn, work, advocate for environmental issues as they are the next generation ready to protect Louisiana waterways. Through clean ups, research, and helping educate the community students from Loyola, Tulane, LSU, and UNO are placing the right building block to make a huge impact in Louisiana environments. These efforts are not only protecting waterways and the coast but also inspiring younger generations. With students strong leadership and dedication Louisiana waters are in safe hands.