During her residency, environmental journalist Christy George continued work on her creative non-fiction book Vanishing Hometowns, and with faculty partner Laura Murphy hosted conversations across generations and geography – bringing together people along the bayous endangered by rising seas with people who face the legacy of Katrina and are adapting to the impacts of climate change. They held an intimate conversation with members of the Pointe-au-Chiens Indian Tribe, discussing their struggles with federal recognition and what that means in terms of storm protection. In partnership with Monique Verdin’s Land Memory Bank, Los Isleños Society and WWNO’s Coastal Desk they hosted hundreds for a Sunday Dancehall, coastal climate conversation, live music and a locally caught and harvested meal.

Cross-platform writer-producer Christy George has been covering climate change and the environment for 15 years. The genesis of her non-fiction book project Vanishing Hometowns was her award-winning radio series The Denmark Project about the impact of climate change in one tiny Oregon town.

“I came to the woods to write about climate change and how that challenges values and changes culture. Places change whether we like it or not. The test is how we face it: whether we go with the flow, or cling to the old ways. Or fight to save what matters most – that need for identity and continuity through all the changes.” – Christy George

“Together, we hosted wonderful meals and dances and sparked thought-provoking interactions about how we see our climate changing around us in specific ways […] With an exceedingly anti-science, anti-environment, anti-truth tone of leadership—we must connect authentically over a good meal, find the facts, create some art and spark meaningful action!” – Laura Murphy