St. Mary Excel reports first-quarter activities

(Editor's note: The St. Mary Excel citizens group submitted this report on the organizations first quarter activities.)

St. Mary Excel implements recommendations of the Urban Land Institute’s “Morgan City and Berwick Louisiana: Building the Foundation for a New Economy Along the Atchafalaya River (see https://2os2f877tnl1dvtmc3wy0aq1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uplo... )” and the Atchafalaya River Coastal Hub (ARCH) strategic plan (see https://www.stmaryexcel.com/_files/ugd/14cd31_466bd1c92af74cf9b0cbb7b950...).
During quarter 1 of 2026, St Mary Excel:
•Continued grant application outreach.
•Hosted a Local Interest Group meeting Feb. 5. The agenda included discussion to advance the strategic plan of the “Atchafalaya River Coastal Hub (ARCH),” scheduling breakout meetings to advance a “Hold the 30” campaign to focus on the 30% flow rate of the Atchafalaya River in the Mississippi River System.
•Presented ANERR and ARCH projects to Rotary on March 5..
•Participated in the Coastal Club workshop on March 18 for Ocean Guardian schools, Morgan City and Patterson at the Emergency Operation Center.
•Entered into a cooperative endeavor agreement with the St. Mary Levee District for grant opportunities for the Atchafalaya River Coastal Hub (ARCH) project.
•Attended the Governor’s Coastal Leadership meeting in Thibodaux, on March 5.
•Supplied a copy of the ARCH strategic plan to the governors’ special assistant.
•Awaits the draft management plan for the Atchafalaya National Estuarine Research Reserve (ANERR) and participated in NERR Friends association discussions.
•Initiated an ongoing community challenge by St. Mary Excel in partnership with Keep St. Mary Beautiful challenging community members to beautify something, send in before and after pictures, and be highlighted on St. Mary Excel’s Facebook page.
•Prepared for an April 1 public community update covering: St. Mary Coastal Club activities, Hospital Service District #2 improvements and scholarships, River City Business Center, Atchafalaya Gateway Trail initiative, Morgan City swimming pool, Berwick Complex recreation fields and Berwick property insurance reduction rates plans, Keep St. Mary Beautiful activities, ANERR and ARCH.