On July 30th, the Cajun Music Preservation Society was awarded a Gulf Guardian Award by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Gulf of Mexico Program (at the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi.) They were awarded third place in the category of Environmental Justice/Cultural Diversity.

Although the Society isn’t an environmental program per se, environment and culture are deeply intertwined where they’re based in the Southeastern Louisiana. Many people fear that the rapidly disappearing coastline will result in the demise of Cajun culture, which has historically called this endangered wetland region home.

Since its founding in 2014, the Society has been working hard to preserve culture by keeping the musical traditions alive and kicking. Their biggest event is an an open Cajun jam held every other Wednesday at various family-friendly locations in different towns.

You don’t have to be a pro to strike up your fiddle–the jams are open to all ages and skill levels. So far, the organization has hosted over two dozen jams featuring over 50 individual musicians.

They also participate in other events throughout the year. This fall, for instance, they will put together bands to play the Best of the Bayou Festival and the Rougarou Festival (both in Houma, LA.)

Visit the Cajun Music Preservation Society facebook page at www.facebook.com/welovecajunmusic for more information.