BATON ROUGE, La. (KPLC) - Retired Southwest Louisiana journalist Theresa Schmidt is being recognized for years of environmental reporting.

At its annual awards ceremony in Baton Rouge, the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL) celebrated leaders and organizations who’ve helped protect and restore the state’s coastline.

Schmidt, who retired from KPLC in June, is among six recipients of the 2025 Coastal Stewardship Award.

“Her work has not only been informational, but it has often served as a catalyst for change,” a longtime colleague wrote to the CRCL.

During her 47-year career, her passion for telling stories with impact was evident, leading Southwest Louisiana residents to reach out for her help. Countless individuals called upon Theresa – from those wanting to raise awareness

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