Questions about Membership or Our Work
Louisiana Environmental Action Network
P.O. Box 66323
Baton Rouge, LA 70896
Attn: Michael Orr, Operations Coordinator
To report a spill or release, call our Hotlink
1-866-msriver (1-866-677-4837)
Donations
Want to help make Louisiana a cleaner, stronger and safer place to live.
Before LEAN was founded in 1986, polluters ran roughshod over Louisiana's unique environment and way of life. By providing clear information about pollution and organizing groups into a statewide network, LEAN changed the balance of power. Lean stopped polluting facilities from being built and helped pass new policies protecting Louisianians' health and way of life. As one of the leading environmental organizations in Louisiana, local governments and industries routinely consult LEAN at the start of applications for permits. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina and the BP Oil Spill, LEAN has coordinated emergency relief, disseminated accurate information about pollution and its impacts, and worked toward restoration of the region's habitats and cultures.
We have been recognized over the past 25 years for the following achievements and awards.
2011 Achievements
LEAN and LMRK's Biota Sampling Project post BP Oil Spill results in University of Texas Medical Branch announcing their new study, entitled Gulf Coast Health Alliance; Health Risks Related to the Macando Spill (GC-HARMS), that will help us to have a better understanding of the impacts of petroleum contamination in the Gulf region.
LEAN's work and vigilance documenting individuals and their changing health conditions from chemical exposure due to the BP Oil Spill expedited an investigation by the Government Accountability Project.
Pearl River Fish Kill - We were the first responders and our field work resulted in the launch of an investigation by the Louisiana State Senate, Environmental Quality Committee.
Victory in the Courts - Louisiana State Court of Appeal ordered the State Department of Environmental Quality to test the environmental impact of discharges from produced waters from oil and gas production activities within Louisiana territorial waters in the Gulf of Mexico.
2011 Human Rights Award presented to Staff Chemist Wilma Subra.
Marylee Orr
Executive Director
Marylee Orr has led LEAN for most of its twenty five years. Marylee didn't intend to work for the environment. In fact, her background was quite eclectic: she worked with Head Start, working in real estate, and later owned an art gallery. Her life changed when her son was born with a respiratory illness that makes it incredibly hard for him to breathe. Marylee found inspiration in her son, and wanted to help people who were less prepared to advocate for themselves and the environment around them.
Marylee was awarded the Louisiana Department Of Environmental Quality's Environmental Leadership Program Environmental Leader Award for her environmental leadership and advocacy work for Louisiana and our nation. Marylee has served as the Executive Director for the Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN) over the last 22 years, transforming the organization into a national environmental advocacy powerhouse. As the leader of LEAN, Marylee has led the organization in its effort to empower more than one hundred grassroots community organizations, thereby making Louisiana's communities safer and healthier places to live. In 2008, the US Office of Management and Budget Watch (OMB Watch) selected Marylee to receive the OMB Watch Public Interest Hall Of Fame Award. Also in 2008 Marylee was a runner up for the Conde' Nast Traveler Environmental Award.
For a listing of other awards and achievements please visit the About Us page.
Renewable Resource Institute
Dr. Griff Blakewood currently serves as Action Head of the Department of Renewable Resources at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He has a long history of working with LEAN. He is presently working to establish the “Discovery Trail” which is designed to connect primary and secondary school educators with opportunities to teach hands-on science in a natural setting.
Paul Orr
Lower Mississippi Riverkeeper/Communications Director
Paul earned his Mass Communications degree from Louisiana State University. He worked for LEAN as a communications intern during college and has directed LEAN’s communications efforts since 2003. Paul maintains LEAN’s membership and media databases. While documenting LEAN’s work, Paul has created a photo journal of south Louisiana’s environmental journey.
Louisiana Environmental Action Network
162 Croydon Ave.
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Phone: (225) 928-1315
Fax: (225) 922-9247
Mailing Address:
Louisiana Environmental Action Network
P.O. Box 66323
Baton Rouge, LA 70896
Bluff Swamp Wildlife Refuge
Frank Bonifay is a resident of Prairieville, but you are more likely to find him at Alligator Bayou. He is working to preserve 1,300 acres of old growth swamp and wetlands through a project that includes a wildlife refuge and an environmental and wilderness education program. The area being preserved is south of Baton Rouge and is threatened by industrial development, chemical contamination and urban sprawl.
We wanted to make sure that everyone saw that our Executive Director, Marylee Orr, was the very first person to be featured in The Advocate newspaper's new interview coloumn, "A Few Minutes With...". We are very proud!
Michael Orr
Operations Coordinator
Michael is the youngest of the multi generational family behind LEAN's work. While he grew up around the work of LEAN and his mother Marylee, Michael has spent the majority of his career in the restaurant industry. With a deep love for the wilds of Louisiana and extensive experience in business management, he has been a welcomed addition to the full-time staff.
Grand Bois Citizens Against Toxic Chemicals
Clarice Friloux of Grand Bois in Lafourche Parish is the president of the local citizens group which formed a few years ago to fight the massive oil field waste disposal facility next to her community. When Exxon dumped more than 80 semi-trailer truck loads of waste from Alabama at the dump site she and her neighbors became sick. Her fight was the focus of a CBS hour long special hosted by Ed Bradley.
