Marietta Smith-Greene
CWPPRA Personal Reflections: Environmental Portraits and Oral Histories of Louisiana’s Coastal Wetlands Stakeholders
The goal of CWPPRA’s Personal Reflections Project is to capture the lives and stories of Louisiana residents who have been stewards of the wetlands and storytellers who open the door to the world of habitat protection and preservation. Each person has a unique tale, but the Louisiana wetlands have been a part of all of their lives. We invite you to learn more about these coastal caretakers. We have tried to capture our Louisiana guardians in two ways; the first with an environmental portrait and the second with an oral history.
Taylor Suir
Mrs. Green was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on October 18, 1935. Her grandfather, Jim Webb, managed her father-in-laws land for 50 years. After his passing, Mrs. Green along with her cousin, Skip Haller, took over the management of the land which spans seven parishes. Upon realizing the devastation facing the land, Mrs. Green began working with CWPPRA to restore the land. She has been a wetlands and coastal restoration advocate since then.
Scope and Content Note:
Marietta Smith-Greene talks about her memories and experiences concerning Louisiana’s coastal wetlands and the important role CWPPRA plays in restoring the Coastal Wetlands of Louisiana.. The interview takes place at Marietta's home in Metairie, Louisiana. Marietta talks about her family's involvement with the wetlands and how her grandfather, Jim Webb, bought land in the area as a civil engineer for a saw mill. She discusses the loss of land due to erosion and her father's work with the Corps to help protect it. Marietta describes the wetlands as once being beautiful and pristine, with abundant wildlife, including ducks, geese, muskrat, alligators, cypress trees, and oak trees dripping with moss.
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