#12 Preventing Natural Disasters from Causing Human Devastation in Louisiana with Joshua Benitez

Josh Benitez is the Co-Director of Common Ground Relief, a New Orleans, Louisiana non-profit committed to working for environmental and disaster justice. Common Ground Relief performs the essential work of planting native marshes and trees into the shoreline of Louisiana which provide the state with natural defenses against the devastation of hurricanes. Due to a combination of natural and man-made causes the protective shoreline of Louisiana has seen severe erosion. A strong shoreline serves as an invaluable defense in lessening the severity of hurricanes. In one year alone, Common Ground Relief has restored over 23 miles of shoreline and 17 acres of forest. Common Ground does this on top of organizing a “Free Pantry” that provides fresh food to all members of the Southeast Louisiana community for free. Josh is a New Orleans native and has spent years working in urban reforestation, hurricane relief, and all forms of environmental protection advocacy in the State of Louisiana. On top of that Josh is a phenomenal musician who frequents New Orleans’ world-famous Bourbon Street on guitar. Come learn about an organization working to stop natural disasters from becoming human devastation and doing it all while keeping bellies full.