Volunteers in Meraux, Louisiana are planting thousands of trees like bald cypress and water tupelo to restore wetlands as a natural barrier against sea level rise and storms, aiming to bring back the ecosystem disrupted by human intervention. The closure of the Mississippi River—Gulf Outlet Canal in 2009 led to reforestation efforts by environmental groups, with the Central Wetlands Reforestation Collective making significant progress towards a 30,000-tree goal. This project serves as a way to cope with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and teach future generations about resilience and environmental restoration, showing that recovery is possible and resisting a 'doomerism' mindset. Rollin Black from the Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development is involved in these efforts, finding joy in seeing kids participate and hoping to inspire them to stay in the city.