Pontchartrain Conservancy to Host Fifth Storm Aware and Prepare

May 20

NEW ORLEANS — Pontchartrain Conservancy is proud to host the fifth Storm Aware and Prepare event on Saturday, June 1 at the New Canal Lighthouse from 9 a.m. to noon. This free, family-friendly event will provide free hurricane preparedness resources and supplies for the 2024 hurricane season.

“We are very excited to welcome our community members out to the fifth Storm Aware and Prepare event,” said Kristi Trail, executive director of Pontchartrain Conservancy. “Thanks to our partners, Storm Aware and Prepare helps provide vital resources and expert advice to our community to improve our understanding of what it means to live with and near water, better prepare for natural events and ultimately preserve life and property.”

In addition to hurricane preparedness educational materials and activities, attendees will be given free cleanup supplies provided by Pontchartrain Conservancy and learn how to properly clean storm drains. Participants who log their cleanups by taking photos and tagging Pontchartrain Conservancy on Facebook and Instagram will be entered for a chance to win a portable generator. Partner organizations will be onsite to provide information and answer any questions from community members.

In addition to hurricane prep resources and cleanup information, this family-friendly event will include coastal educational activities for adults and children provided by Pontchartrain Conservancy. Meteorologist Scot Pilie’ will give a 10 a.m. hurricane season forecast during the event. Valerie’s Snoballs will also be onsite providing snowballs for purchase.

Additional partners include Restore the Mississippi River Delta, Second Harvest Food Bank New Orleans and Acadiana, the City of New Orleans Office of Resilience and Sustainability, NOLA Ready, Birthmark Doula Collective, Louisiana Appleseed, the Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board, and Grounds Krewe. Sponsors include Entergy and Chalmette Refining.

For more information about Storm Aware and Prepare, visit scienceforourcoast.org/events

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About Pontchartrain Conservancy: Pontchartrain Conservancy is a New Orleans-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to an environmentally sustainable, prosperous and resilient region. Our mission is to drive environmental sustainability and stewardship through scientific research, education and advocacy. Pontchartrain Conservancy consists of a board of directors representing Lake Pontchartrain Basin parishes and regulatory agencies. For more information or to get involved, visit www.scienceforourcoast.org. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @PontchartrainConservancy and Twitter at @OurBasin.

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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