Shadows on the Gulf (June 2023)

[Rachel]

I'm a wetland scientist working in coastal Louisiana so its no surprise I'd pick this book eventually. I haven't read it yet but it takes place starting in 2010 in the aftermath of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. I was fresh out of graduate school when that happened and I will remember the chaos, destruction, and sadness. Coastal Louisiana is a special place, yet plagued by tragedy. We're still recovering from the oil spill 13 years ago, and healing and restoration are harrowing across the Gulf coast. In Louisiana particularly, the state has a Coastal Master Plan for prioritizing restoration projects across the coast for the biggest benefit. In fact this plan is revised and reapproved every 5 years so that the plan can adapt and evolve to meet current needs and situations. I say all that because directly after the oil spill were dark months and days, but now it's making a comeback and all hope is not lost!! Anyway I'm excited to read this book and see it from someone else's perspective!

[Rachel]

I thought he did a great job with explaining the history of the Gulf coastal wetlands, especially in Louisiana. A lot of things have happened in the coastal restoration realm since the BP oil spill 13 years ago and I will elaborate more on that this weekend when I get back from the field. I love wetlands, and I spend every summer in the field doing annual vegetation surveys. I've seen how wetlands change over time, sometimes rapidly. This book was a great intro into the history & background of coastal Louisiana (and neighboring states) and aftermath of the BP oil spill. 4 stars!