Author: Emily Gautreaux

Exploring the Stunning North Carolina Coast

With over 300 miles of breathtaking shoreline, North Carolina boasts some of the most picturesque coastal landscapes in the country. While the well-known beaches of the Outer Banks and Wilmington attract many visitors, there are countless other stunning destinations along the coast waiting to be discovered. From wild horses roaming the dunes to pristine seashores and untouched natural habitats, North Carolina’s coastline offers a perfect escape for travelers seeking beauty and adventure. Here are some of the most scenic places to explore along the North Carolina coast, according to this travel guide from Southern Living. 

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

One of the most recognizable landmarks in North Carolina, the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, is home to the iconic black-and-white spiral-striped lighthouse. As the nation’s first designated national seashore, this area has been protecting its stunning coastal ecosystems since 1937. The seashore stretches across the Outer Banks and offers visitors a chance to explore diverse landscapes filled with marshes, sand dunes, and maritime forests. Along the shoreline, you can often spot an array of wildlife, including migratory birds and nesting sea turtles, making this destination a paradise for nature lovers and photographers alike.

Currituck National Wildlife Refuge

At the northernmost point of the Outer Banks lies the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge, a spectacular expanse of untouched wilderness. Encompassing a variety of landscapes, including maritime forests, sandy dunes, and shrub thickets, this refuge remains a sanctuary for native wildlife. One of the most incredible sights here is the famous herd of wild horses that freely roam the beaches and dunes. These majestic animals, believed to be descendants of Spanish mustangs, add an unforgettable charm to the already stunning scenery. For the best chance to see them up close, embark on a safari-style tour along the remote shores of Currituck County.

Topsail Island

Topsail Island, a hidden gem located just north of Wilmington, is a 26-mile-long barrier island surrounded by water on three sides. Its three distinct communities—Topsail Beach, North Topsail Beach, and Surf City—each offer unique coastal charm and scenic beauty. With its wide, sandy shores and gently rolling waves, this tranquil island is ideal for those seeking a peaceful retreat. Visitors can enjoy long walks along the shoreline, hunt for seashells, or take a boat tour to observe local marine life. The serene atmosphere and stunning views make Topsail Island a must-visit destination on the North Carolina coast.

The Point at Emerald Isle

Located on the western tip of Bogue Banks, Emerald Isle is one of the most picturesque spots along North Carolina’s Crystal Coast. The Point, a sandbar extending into the Atlantic Ocean, is a favorite location for sunset watchers and shell collectors. With panoramic views of the ocean, Bogue Sound, and Bear Island, this destination offers an unbeatable vantage point for soaking in the beauty of the coast. Visitors can explore the sand dunes, wade in the shallow waters, or simply relax and take in the spectacular scenery. The Point’s natural beauty and peaceful surroundings make it one of the most mesmerizing locations in the state.

Wrightsville Beach

Known for its crystal-clear turquoise waters and soft, white sand, Wrightsville Beach is one of North Carolina’s most vibrant coastal destinations. Situated near Wilmington, this beach town is a hotspot for water activities, including paddleboarding, kayaking, and surfing. Along the Intracoastal Waterway, sunset cruises provide a peaceful way to experience the area’s natural beauty. Keep an eye out for playful dolphins swimming nearby and a variety of coastal bird species soaring overhead. The combination of pristine beaches, abundant wildlife, and a lively atmosphere makes Wrightsville Beach an essential stop on any North Carolina coastal adventure.

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Kissimmee Prairie: Florida’s Best Spot for Wildlife and Stargazing

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park offers an extraordinary escape into one of Florida’s most unique and endangered ecosystems. While Florida is often associated with beaches and wetlands, this expansive prairie landscape provides a rare opportunity to experience a different side of the state’s natural beauty. With its wide-open skies, diverse wildlife, and incredible outdoor activities, this park is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike, especially with this travel guide from Southern Living.

Once covering vast areas of Florida, the dry prairie ecosystem has been greatly reduced over time, leaving only a fraction of its original expanse. Today, Kissimmee Prairie Preserve protects the largest remaining tract of this unique environment. Visitors can immerse themselves in the park’s sweeping grasslands, where breathtaking sunsets stretch across the horizon and the stillness of nature provides a peaceful retreat. This protected area is home to a variety of rare and endangered species, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists.

One of the most immersive ways to explore the preserve is by taking a guided buggy tour led by expert park rangers. These tours provide fascinating insights into the prairie’s ecological importance, including its role in wildfire management and its historical use as a World War II Air Force training ground. The elevated buggy seats offer unparalleled views of the landscape, allowing visitors to spot wildlife and appreciate the park’s vastness. However, due to limited availability, reservations are required in advance, with tours held only on Saturdays.

For those visiting outside of tour hours, the Main Drive—formerly the Peavine Railroad—offers a self-guided route through the preserve. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times for spotting wildlife such as white-tailed deer, bobcats, bald eagles, and even the elusive Florida panther.

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve is a paradise for bird watchers, offering a chance to see North America’s rarest bird, the Florida Grasshopper Sparrow. Found only in this specific region, this bird’s population has dwindled to critically low numbers, making a sighting an extraordinary experience. Patience and quiet observation are key to hearing its distinctive buzzy song.

In addition to birds, the park’s wildflower diversity attracts a vibrant array of butterflies. The Berry’s skipper, a rare butterfly species, is just one of many pollinators that thrive in this protected habitat. Whether you bring binoculars or a camera, this park offers an unparalleled opportunity to observe Florida’s rich biodiversity up close.

As Florida’s first designated Dark Sky Park, Kissimmee Prairie Preserve offers some of the best stargazing in the state. Far from the light pollution of urban areas, the park’s night sky reveals an incredible array of celestial wonders. Visitors can observe planets, meteor showers, and even the Milky Way in perfect clarity.

For an optimal stargazing experience, the park offers dedicated astronomy viewing pads where only red-light headlamps are permitted to maintain visibility. These sites are ideal for astrophotography enthusiasts looking to capture the beauty of the cosmos. Checking the American Meteor Society’s schedule can help visitors time their trip with major celestial events.

With over 100 miles of trails, the preserve offers a variety of ways to experience its landscape. Horseback riding is a popular way to traverse the park, allowing riders to take in the scenery while covering a significant distance. Visitors without their own horses can book guided horseback tours through Wagon Wheel Horse Farm, which provides a unique way to explore the shaded hammocks and open grasslands.

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore one of Florida’s most unique landscapes. From guided buggy tours and stargazing to birdwatching and horseback riding, this destination provides a diverse range of outdoor adventures. Whether visiting for a day or staying overnight, this preserve invites travelers to connect with nature in a truly extraordinary setting.

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From Learning Loss to Learning Gains: Louisiana Education Road to Recovery

A groundbreaking study from Harvard University and Stanford University has revealed that the state is at the forefront of academic recovery in the United States. According to the Education Recovery Scorecard and this news release from the Louisiana Department of Education, Louisiana ranks first in the country for reading recovery and second for math. Notably, Louisiana Education stands as the only state where the average student has fully completed their academic recovery.

The Education Recovery Scorecard is an annual report that measures student growth in reading and mathematics at the school system level across the country. Now in its third year, the report assesses the pace of academic recovery in various districts, providing crucial insights into how students are regaining learning losses experienced during the pandemic.

Louisiana’s impressive academic turnaround is reflected in several critical findings from the Education Recovery Scorecard. Between 2019 and 2024, the state ranked first in reading recovery and second in math recovery. While many states struggled to regain lost academic ground, Louisiana students demonstrated significant gains in both reading and mathematics, standing out as the only state where the average student has fully recovered academically.

An analysis of the data suggests that Louisiana’s strategic allocation of pandemic-related funding played a key role in its success. Investments targeted at academic initiatives such as summer learning programs and tutoring proved particularly effective in accelerating recovery. However, despite these achievements, chronic absenteeism remains a significant challenge. Students who miss more than 10 percent of the school year hinder the progress of overall recovery efforts in several districts, emphasizing the need for continued attention to attendance and student engagement.

State education leaders attribute Louisiana’s progress to a clear focus on foundational academic skills and strong support for educators. Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley emphasized that the report reflects the state’s commitment to improving student outcomes. He acknowledged the progress but also pointed out that challenges remain, particularly in ensuring that all students can read at grade level, master essential math skills, and maintain consistent school attendance.

The Education Recovery Scorecard serves as a collaborative effort between the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University and the Educational Opportunity Project at Stanford University. This latest report provides a detailed and data-driven analysis of where Louisiana students stand in their academic recovery as of spring 2024. Unlike The Nation’s Report Card, which focuses on state-level achievement changes, the Education Recovery Scorecard integrates those results with district-level assessments to provide a more localized view of student progress.

The state’s recent achievements build on its positive performance in the previous year’s Education Recovery Scorecard. The 2023 report highlighted Louisiana as one of only three states where reading achievement had surpassed 2019 levels. Additionally, Louisiana students made exceptional progress in math, recovering nearly half of their initial learning loss. This was particularly notable because, on a national scale, students had only managed to regain about one-third of their original losses.

Although Louisiana has demonstrated remarkable success in academic recovery, state education officials acknowledge that there is still work to be done. The persistence of chronic absenteeism remains a barrier to continued progress, and ensuring that all students achieve proficiency in reading and math is an ongoing challenge. Nevertheless, the strategic initiatives that have contributed to Louisiana’s success—including targeted funding, summer learning opportunities, and tutoring programs—may serve as a model for other states striving to accelerate their own academic recovery efforts.

By focusing on student-centered interventions and maintaining strong support for educators, Louisiana has emerged as a leader in the nation’s education recovery landscape. As the state continues to build on its progress, it sets an example for how deliberate investment and evidence-based strategies can drive meaningful improvements in student learning outcomes.

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Louisiana Innovation Division to Propel Louisiana Startups Forward

The state of Louisiana took a significant step toward fostering innovation and technological advancement with the recent launch of Louisiana Innovation (LA.IO), a new division within Louisiana Economic Development (LED). This initiative aimed to position Louisiana as a hub for high-growth, technology-driven startup companies. The announcement, made by LED, highlighted the creation of the Louisiana Growth Fund, which initially secured $50 million in federal funding to support entrepreneurs in establishing and scaling their ventures across the state.

A key component of LA.IO’s early initiatives was the establishment of the Louisiana Institute for Artificial Intelligence, a 501c3 organization designed to spearhead the state’s AI strategy. This strategy focused on applied research, commercialization, workforce development, and policy formulation. One of the Institute’s inaugural projects involved equipping 5,000 small businesses across Louisiana with AI tools to enhance their scalability and competitiveness in the marketplace.

Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois emphasized the importance of cultivating homegrown businesses in addition to attracting external investments. She highlighted that Louisiana Innovation would work closely with both startups and existing companies to nurture the state’s innovation economy. Bourgeois cited Meta’s $10 billion data center project in Richland Parish as evidence of the state’s commitment to innovation, noting that such investments underscored the effectiveness of this forward-thinking strategy.

Beyond the Growth Fund, LA.IO brought together various partners already dedicated to supporting innovators. LED had already engaged in seven seed capital funds across Louisiana, with plans to expand in 2025. Key partners included Ochsner Louisiana’s Innovation Fund, Tulane University’s Innovation Institute, the New Orleans Startup Fund, Innovation Catalyst, Boot64 Ventures, The Idea Village, and Propeller. These entities leveraged funding streams like the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) to provide additional capital, thereby boosting the total funding pool for startups to over $100 million.

Josh Fleig, LED’s Chief Innovation Officer, highlighted the critical role of connections and mentorship in the success of startups. He stressed that linking entrepreneurs to customers, resources, and expert guidance was as crucial as providing financial support. Fleig announced that LA.IO would organize new events to foster these vital connections within the startup ecosystem. His remarks were delivered to an audience of business leaders, higher education representatives, economic development officials, and government figures during the Super Bowl LIX Louisiana Now Pavilion event.

Several regional partners, such as The Idea Village in New Orleans, Opportunity Machine in Lafayette, and EAP and Startup Prize in Shreveport, were set to lead these innovation-focused events. LA.IO planned to expand its network by adding more university partnerships, creating a collaborative ecosystem that facilitated real-time collaboration and shared resources.

Fleig noted that these partnerships, with their established and impactful startup events, would now operate under the unified umbrella of Louisiana Innovation. This collective effort aimed to build an ecosystem greater than the sum of its parts, providing essential support to entrepreneurs navigating challenges such as business model development and investor readiness.

The Innovation Day program concluded with an announcement from Waymo, a leading autonomous driving technology company. Waymo showcased one of its self-driving cars outside the Louisiana Now Pavilion and revealed that New Orleans had been selected as one of the 10 cities for its 2025 Road Trip tour. This initiative aimed to expose Waymo’s autonomous navigation system to diverse driving conditions across the country, from varied road features to different driving behaviors.

Louisiana Economic Development has consistently aimed to attract capital investment, create jobs, and expand economic opportunities within the state. The launch of Louisiana Innovation reinforced this mission by providing a structured platform for nurturing technological advancement and entrepreneurial growth.

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Terrebonne Parish Tree Board Celebrates Arbor Day with 200 Tree Giveaway

Arbor Day in Terrebonne Parish proved to be a resounding success as nearly 100 residents gathered at the Terrebonne Parish Public Library Main Branch in Houma to receive free trees for their yards, as per this article from Houma Today. The annual event, hosted by the Terrebonne Parish Tree Board, took place on February 15 and saw the distribution of 200 trees to local households.

The giveaway, which began promptly at 9 a.m., attracted early birds eager to claim their saplings. By the time the event officially started, 38 households had already lined up in anticipation. Each family was allowed up to two trees, and in just 49 minutes, all available saplings had been claimed. This remarkable turnout underscored the community’s enthusiasm for planting and nurturing greenery in their neighborhoods. With next year marking the 20th anniversary of the event, the tree board is preparing a special celebration that will engage the public in a unique way.

Among the attendees was Megan Breaux, who attended the event with her 9-year-old daughter, Arianna. Having participated in the giveaway for the past three years, Megan expressed a fondness for planting trees and other plants to attract wildlife to her yard. She had hoped to find a buttonwood tree this year, recalling its small, ball-like flowers that birds love. Although it was not available this time, she remained excited about the options offered. The selection of trees available included five native species: Live Oak, Nuttall Oak, River Birch, Bald Cypress, and Swamp Red Maple. These species were chosen for their adaptability to the region’s climate and soil conditions.

This year marked the 19th annual Arbor Day celebration in Terrebonne Parish, and the tree board is planning a special project for the upcoming 20th anniversary. Board member Connie Bourg explained that the board is seeking photos from residents who received trees in past giveaways. Specifically, they are asking individuals who took pictures with their saplings years ago to submit updated photos showing the growth of the trees—and, in some cases, the growth of the people in the pictures as well. Bourg encouraged participants to send in these images to help create a visual collage celebrating the lasting impact of the tree giveaway.

Terrebonne Parish Planning and Zoning Director Christopher Polaski echoed the sentiment, emphasizing how meaningful it would be to see images of children planting trees years ago, followed by updated pictures where those same children are now adults, possibly with children of their own. He remarked on the powerful symbolism of watching both trees and families grow over time.

Residents interested in contributing to this project can submit their photos through the official Terrebonne Parish Tree Board website. While the submission portal is not yet active, the website currently offers valuable information about tree care and upcoming tree board meetings, which are open to the public. Additionally, the board has two expiring term seats and one vacant position due to a recent resignation, presenting an opportunity for community members to get involved.

The success of the tree giveaway was made possible through a combination of purchases and donations. Of the 200 trees distributed, 125 were purchased by the Terrebonne Parish Tree Board, while the remaining 75 were donated by Apache Corporation. Representatives from Apache Corporation, along with Master Gardeners from the LSU Ag Center, attended the event to provide guidance on proper tree care and planting techniques.

With another successful Arbor Day event completed, the Terrebonne Parish Tree Board looks ahead to its milestone 20th anniversary next year. By engaging the community through a special photo project and continuing to promote environmental stewardship, the board hopes to inspire even more residents to participate in future tree giveaways and contribute to the area’s green landscape.

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Creole Comfort Food: Red Beans and Rice for the Whole Family

Few dishes represent Louisiana cuisine as perfectly as Red Beans and Rice. This rich, hearty meal combines creamy beans, smoky sausage, and aromatic spices for a flavor-packed dish that has stood the test of time. Traditionally enjoyed on Mondays in New Orleans—a custom dating back to the days when families used leftovers from Sunday’s ham dinner—this one-pot comfort food is just as beloved today.

With minimal prep and a long, slow simmer, this meal fills your home with mouthwatering aromas and results in a dish that’s well worth the wait. Whether you’re preparing it for a weeknight family dinner, bringing it to a potluck, or serving it at a game-day tailgate, Louisiana Red Beans and Rice is sure to impress. Best of all, this recipe from Louisiana Cookin makes a large batch, ensuring plenty of leftovers that taste even better the next day!

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate. Keep the rendered bacon drippings in the pot—this adds incredible flavor!
  2. Next, add the diced onion, bell pepper, and celery (known as the “Holy Trinity” in Louisiana cooking) to the bacon drippings. Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute, letting its fragrance bloom.
  3. Toss in the cubed ham, sliced andouille sausage, and Creole seasoning. Stir everything together and cook for 3-5 minutes to develop a deeper, smoky flavor.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. These add layers of flavor! Next, add the dried red beans, water, cooked bacon, and bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low. Let the beans simmer uncovered for at least 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  5. After two hours, remove about 1 cup of beans from the pot and mash them with a fork or the back of a spoon. Stir the mashed beans back into the pot to create a thick, creamy sauce. Allow the dish to continue simmering for another 30 minutes to an hour, stirring occasionally.
  6. Remove the bay leaves and discard them. Serve the red beans hot, ladled over freshly cooked white rice. For the perfect finishing touch, garnish with chopped parsley or chives.

What to Serve with Louisiana Red Beans and Rice

Although this dish is a meal on its own, pairing it with classic Southern sides makes for an unforgettable feast. Here are some delicious accompaniments to round out your meal:

  • Cornbread – Sweet or savory, cornbread is a must-have for soaking up the rich sauce.
  • Fried Chicken – The crispy, golden crunch of fried chicken is a perfect contrast to the creamy beans.
  • Collard Greens – A Southern staple, collard greens cooked with ham hocks or smoked turkey add depth to your plate.
  • Fried Okra – Crunchy and flavorful, fried okra brings an irresistible texture.
  • Pickled Vegetables – A tangy side dish like pickled onions or jalapeños adds a bright contrast to the smoky richness.

Louisiana Red Beans and Rice is more than just a dish—it’s a tradition, a piece of history, and a comforting meal that brings people together. Whether you’re enjoying it on a lazy Sunday, a busy Monday, or anytime you crave a taste of the South, this recipe delivers big flavors with minimal effort. The long, slow simmer allows the ingredients to meld beautifully, creating a rich, smoky, and creamy dish that’s both satisfying and affordable.

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