Prime’s NOLA Team Retreat & Service Trip
Team Learning & Fun
The Prime Coalition team recently embarked on a meaningful retreat and service trip to New Orleans, Louisiana (NOLA). We anticipated a wonderful team experience in the great city of NOLA, as our connection with Louisiana began when we were invited by Maya Winkelstein from The 2030 Fund to participate in convenings facilitated by the Louisiana Climate Donors Group in New Orleans in Spring 2023 and Lake Charles in Spring 2024. Team members who attended those events gained insights into the environmental and political landscape of Louisiana, as well as the challenges and opportunities for climate action.
So, we were incredibly grateful for the opportunity to further experience NOLA during our team retreat in May. The trip was marked by collaboration with our long-time consultant, Omnymyst, who supported our team in defining our organizational group agreements and aligning them with Prime's values. These workshops with Omnymyst were crucial for strengthening our team culture and ensuring that our work remains grounded in our core principles.
Beyond these strategic sessions, we enjoyed immersing ourselves in the vibrant culture of New Orleans through the tour experiences of a few black-owned businesses. We enjoyed an Urban Culture City Tour by 2nd Line Tours, a Swamp Tour by Cajun Encounters, and a New Orleans Jazz Cruise by Steamboat Natchez, which enriched our understanding of the city’s heritage and provided moments of joy and relaxation.
Service at Common Ground Relief
The highlight of our trip was volunteering at Common Ground Relief, a nonprofit dedicated to environmental and community stewardship in Southeast Louisiana. Our team assisted in potting baby trees and placing them in a nursery, where they will grow over the next 12-18 months before being planted throughout the city. This effort is part of a broader initiative to restore coastal wetlands, mitigate climate change, and reduce storm surge in New Orleans' most vulnerable areas.
Common Ground Relief aims to plant one million trees to restore 1.2 million acres of coastal land, which has been lost since 1932. This restoration is vital for a city that has faced numerous natural disasters and is an effective method because “one acre of wetlands can hold up to one million gallons of water during a flood…” and “...storm surges are reduced by one foot for every 2.7 miles of wetlands, thereby protecting levees and other critical infrastructure.” The Prime team is proud to contribute to this important work and we encourage our partners and friends to learn more about the significance of tree planting and to volunteer with Common Ground Relief during your next visit to New Orleans.
A Stay at the Historic NOPSI Hotel & Award Winning Restaurants
Our stay at The NOPSI Hotel added a unique touch of historic charm to our trip. Constructed in 1927, the hotel beautifully combines modern comforts with the charm of the Jazz Age. Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and a member of Historic Hotels of America, The NOPSI Hotel is celebrated as one of the few boutique hotels owned by a black woman.
We also enjoyed incredible team dinners at Café Sbisa and James Beard award winning Chef Nina Compton’s Compère Lapin!
Reflecting on Our Journey
Our retreat in New Orleans was a blend of learning, cultural immersion, and community service. It reinforced our commitment to creating a world in which humanity thrives without the threat of climate change and supporting communities on the frontlines of environmental challenges. We return to our work inspired and determined to unlock catalytic capital and change the future of climate finance.
Thank you, New Orleans and to all of our new friends there for hosting us and providing such rich experiences. And a special thank you to Maya Winkelstein and the Louisiana Climate Donors Group for making our previous learning journeys possible. We look forward to continuing our engagement and exploring how we can contribute to climate solutions in Louisiana.
