The Lower Ninth: K+36
(Photo Essay by M. Styborski)

TROUBLE THE WATER takes you inside Hurricane Katrina
in a way never before seen on screen

The Gulf Restoration Network is committed to uniting and empowering people to protect and restore the natural resources of the Gulf Region for future generations.
The Gulf of Mexico will continue to be a natural, economic, and recreational resource that is central to the culture and heritage of five states and several nations.  The people of the region will be stewards of this vital but imperiled treasure, and assume the responsibility of returning the Gulf to its previous splendor.

The seven priority issues of the network:

1. Stopping pollutant discharges;
2. Reducing polluted runoff;
3. Reducing Corps of Engineers’ permitting and projects destructive of the environment;
4. Requiring sustainable management of Gulf fisheries;
5. Limiting coastal development, beach armoring, and resulting habitat destruction;
6. Protection of threatened and endangered species;
7. Limiting development of offshore mineral resources.

Save the Gulf now! DONATE or JOIN GRN – everything helps!

These organizations work closely together to restore, revitalize & replant the wetlands. Please visit both websites and consider donating or volunteering.

Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program – a partnership of government, business, scientists, conservation organizations, agricultural interests, and individuals for the preservation, protection, and restoration of the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary in southeast Louisiana.

Bayou Grace Community Services - Providing Hope and Sustainability for the 5 Bayous

The Green Project: A non-profit organization dedicated to creatively promoting and encouraging environmental sustainability in New Orleans. We recycle building materials and paint, deconstruct homes and salvage usable materials.  We operate a building materials recycling store, promote community involvement and environmental activities, offer community space to other community-based organizations, and serve as an environmental reference resource for the Greater New Orleans area. 

Some of the things you might do as a volunteer at The Green Project include: organizing building materials in our warehouse, maintaining our garden center, managing our recycling, developing community outreach programs, assisting in our office, or assisting in our paint department. Our needs are different every day. Just show up with a positive attitude and we’ll find a way for you to help!

To DONATE directly to The Green Project, click here – please fill in the “Dedication or Gift” box with NOLA Pyrate Week

St. Thomas Community Health Center: Our mission is to provide culturally competent health care of the highest quality, regardless of the ability to pay. We foster relevant research and educational activities directed toward achieving community-driven health initiatives that reduce health disparities in our community.

To DONATE directly to St. Thomas Community Health Center, click here – please fill in the “Dedication or Gift” box with NOLA Pyrate Week

NoLA Rising is a non-profit art initiative that promotes accessibility to art regardless of socio-economic status and aims to broaden perspective and opinion on public art. NoLA Rising began as a loose assembly of New Orleans artists and art enthusiasts intent on using the visual arts to revitalize a city devastated by one of the worst disasters in U.S. history.

Through the medium of community creative arts projects, NoLA Rising intends to reclaim and solidify New Orleans’ standing as the cultural capital of the South. It will also further the broader goal of encouraging a cultural renaissance by engaging the community to work together to enhance the city’s aesthetic quality through public artwork. NoLA Rising believes that participation in the visual arts not only helps to beautify our vibrant community and celebrate our cultural heritage, but also empowers the individual by facilitating creativity and aiding in the discovery of personal potential.

Visit the website to learn & support! Donations are tax deductible.

WAIF NOLA is a small, grassroots effort to help animals. We trap, spay/neuter and release feral cats, we help people get their pets spay/neutered and we help those who love their animals afford necessary medical care when the expense is too great. When we are able, we also rescue, rehab and re-home animals in need. It’s a big job for just 2 people – but never underestimate 2 crazy ladies on a mission!
We work in a non-profit manner (although we are not yet 501C3, we work on a 100% volunteer basis which means that no one gets paid for what they do). Most of the money we need to accomplish what we do comes from our own pockets and from donations from caring people (like you)! We can use all the help we can get!

To donate time or funds to WAIF NOLA visit their website (tell ‘em the Pyrates sent ye)

Visit the Website

Make It Right: Our mission is to be a catalyst for redevelopment of the Lower 9th Ward, by building a neighbourhood comprised of safe, healthy & sustainable homes that are inspired by Cradle to Cradle thinking (everything we create can contribute positively to society, the economy, and the environment), with an emphasis on a high quality of design, while preserving the spirit of the community’s culture. The goal is to accomplish this quickly, so that the first residents can begin returning to their homes as soon as possible.

When making a donation, please select “The House The Pyrates Union Built” under the Team Sponsored Home option. To DONATE directly to MIR 9, click here.

New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund: pays no office rent, utilizes volunteer social workers and hires only two employees to help your donation dollar go further. Founded by and for displaced musicians, the Fund has helped hundreds of still-displaced musicians with funds, instruments and housing as they continue to rebuild their lives. We primarily receive donated instruments these days, and find each of them a good home. A registered 501(c)3 organization.

Donations of time, talent, instruments and funding are accepted through the website

Ye may make a general donation to NOLA Pyrate Week to assist with costs associated with running events (fuel, printing, promotion, rentals, etc.)

If ye’d like to sponsor all or part of an event, please contact us.