Bayou Vermilion Preservation Association

09/04/2026

We are so excited to introduce Steven Johnston, Principal Planner with the Community and Environmental Department at H-GAC, as one of our presenters State of the River Symposium! 🤩

Steven Johnston is a Principal Planner with the Community and Environmental Department at the H-GAC. He has spent the past 13 years working with the region’s stakeholders developing Total Maximum Daily Load studies and executing implementation plans to address the region’s water quality impairments. He works as a project manager and stakeholder facilitator.
Prior to joining H-GAC, Mr. Johnston spent twelve years working as a project coordinator for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s Galveston Bay Estuary Program, implementing the Galveston Bay Plan’s Monitoring and Research and Water and Sediment Quality action plans. 
Mr. Johnston received his Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science/Biology from the University of Houston Clear Lake.

Join us on September 18th by using the link in our bio to register! 💧

09/02/2026

We are so excited to welcome Joni Hammons, Director of Planning at CPEX, as the keynote speaker for our State of the River Symposium! 🤩

Joni leads planning and policy initiatives across Louisiana, with a focus on making quality planning services accessible to communities and addressing environmental, social, and economic challenges through interventions in the built environment. A focus on resilience planning and climate adaptation is woven throughout all of her work, and she has led the development of climate adaptation resources and decision support tools at both the community and state levels.

Prior to joining CPEX, Joni gained experience in both the public and private sectors. Most
recently, she was the Marie Bickham Chair and Professional-in-Residence at the Robert Reich
School of Landscape Architecture at LSU, where she taught a range of studio courses that
exposed students to design challenges in rural, resource-constrained Louisiana communities.
Joni earned a Master of Landscape Architecture and Bachelor of Arts in English and Philosophy
from Louisiana State University. She has held leadership positions within the American Society
of Landscape Architects (ASLA). Joni has roots in Acadiana but lives in Baton Rouge with her
husband and three young sons.

Join us on September 18th by using the link in our bio to register! 💙

08/31/2026

🎉 GIVEAWAY ANNOUNCEMENT! 🎉

Register for BVPA’s 1st Annual State of the River Symposium and you’ll be entered to win this one-of-a-kind rain barrel! The artwork was illustrated by Colette J., a winner in our 2026 Anti-Litter Poster Contest!

Use the link in our bio to register for the symposium and be entered to win!

We can’t wait to see y’all on September 18th!!💙

08/19/2026

It’s National Water Quality Month! For over 40 years, we’ve proudly brought fresh surface water to the heart of Acadiana, ensuring our community has safe, clean water. We couldn’t have done it without the support of stakeholders, constituents, and residents. Thank you!
Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to keep up with our latest updates and initiatives: https://teche-vermilion.org/.

08/15/2026

08/15/2026

We’re excited to introduce the speakers joining us for BVPA’s 1st Annual State of the River Symposium!💧🌎

We’re thrilled to welcome Joni Hammons with Center for Planning Excellence - CPEX as this year’s keynote speaker!

We’ll also hear from Steven Johnston with Houston-Galveston Area Council, Jon Manns with Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana, and Andy Sternad with Waggonner & Ball, who will each bring their perspectives to this year’s theme, "Connected by Water: Reimagining Our Watersheds."

Join us on September 18th and don't forget to register using the link in our bio!

Stay tuned for our next giveaway!👀

08/13/2026

08/05/2026

08/02/2026

07/27/2026

Jenee is going Out to Lunch! 🍽️💚

Our Community Engagement Manager, Jenee, recently joined Bri Nelson, Club Manager at Anytime Fitness Johnston - Lafayette, and Christiaan Mader, host, on It's Acadiana Out to Lunch to chat all things Parish Proud!

From community cleanups and tree planting to environmental education and our upcoming Parish Proud Day in partnership with Love Our Schools, Jenee shared a little more about the work we’re doing to make Acadiana a cleaner, greener, and more beautiful place to call home.

She also talked about her own journey—from volunteering with the Bayou Vermilion Preservation Association to turning that passion for the environment into a career helping communities thrive. We’re so proud to have her leading the charge at Parish Proud!

Tune in to KRVS Public Media 88.7 FM this Wednesday at 1PM to hear the conversation, or listen now: https://bit.ly/3RtKsIJ

Out to Lunch Acadiana was recorded live over lunch at Gravy in Downtown Lafayette. Photos by Astor Morgan Productions, LLC.