The site is where New Orleans was born: a portage point between the Mississippi and Lake Pontchartrain for Native Americans, the “batture” riverbank during the earliest French settlement, and a bustling commercial wharf for nearly two centuries until the 1970s. Reclaimed for the public as Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park, the site now connects five surrounding neighborhoods and creates a unique gathering place for the city to celebrate and reconnect with the mighty river. Through its partnership with Audubon Nature Institute, Crew will re-energize the riverfront, bringing back a civic treasure for locals to enjoy and creating a must-see destination for visitors. 

The Pincus brothers’ winning proposal for Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park draws on over ten years’ experience revitalizing the New York City waterfront. Collaborating with city leaders, municipal agencies, and major non-profits, Crew has developed and operated transformative waterfront destinations in Hudson River Park, Governor’s Island, and Brooklyn Bridge Park. 
Their celebrated restaurants include Grand Banks, The Yacht Club, Fireboat, Drift In, and Montero’s in New York, plus Seaworthy and the recently opened Holywater in New Orleans. 

Raised along Lake Pontchartrain and Bayou St. John, the Pincus brothers are lifelong sailors and have built their restaurants and bars to share the spirit of maritime adventure. Their latest partnership with Audubon represents a meaningful homecoming for them, combining their deep experience in creating world-class waterfront destinations with their bones-deep connection to New Orleans. 

“Like many New Orleanians, Miles and I grew up on the water, and ever since we were little kids, the Mississippi has called us to its banks,” said Alex Pincus, Crew’s CEO. “The opportunity to help bring this extraordinary stretch of riverfront back into the everyday lives of New Orleanians is incredibly meaningful to us. We've always believed that the best waterfront destinations are places where nature, culture, and history intersect, and that's exactly what we hope to do here. We want to create a place that feels like it belongs in the city and to the city, where neighbors from across New Orleans can get together, reconnect with the river, and be at home.” 

“Crew’s selection as Audubon’s partner for this space reflects its proven experience creating exceptional destinations across the country, combined with a deep appreciation for local heritage and an innate understanding of what makes New Orleans so unique,” said Michael J. Sawaya, Audubon Nature Institute CEO and L. Ronald Forman Chair in Conservation Leadership. “Sweeping city views, passing ships, and cooling river breezes will make this an experience unlike anywhere else in the world. We are confident in Crew’s ability to create an extraordinary setting for food, drink, and connection along the riverfront, helping us fulfill our promise of creating a welcoming, vibrant destination for locals and visitors alike.” 

As part of the partnership, Crew will oversee hospitality operations at the park's pavilion and provide food and beverage service for festivals and events, bringing its experience in waterfront dining and large-scale gatherings to the park's cultural life. Together, Audubon and Crew envision a destination that encourages connection and enhances the park's role as a gathering place for residents and visitors from across the city. 

The partnership marks an important milestone in the ongoing transformation of New Orleans' riverfront. Through its Riverfront for All initiative, Audubon transformed the former Governor Nicholls Street Wharf into six acres of public green space, helping create a continuous, two-and-a-quarter-mile connection from Spanish Plaza to Crescent Park. Shaded seating, a marsh-themed playground, and the pavilion now welcome the public onto a stretch of the Mississippi that remained inaccessible for generations. More than an expansion of public green space, the park creates meaningful connections between neighborhoods and restores access to river views that have long been central to the city's identity. 

Audubon Nature Institute operates a network of attractions, parks, nature trails, and research facilities including Audubon Aquarium, Audubon Insectarium, and Audubon Zoo. Its work spans wildlife conservation, protection of native Louisiana habitats, education, and public recreation. Crew brings a complementary commitment to sustainable seafood, historic preservation, and healthy waterways, including its longstanding partnership with Billion Oyster Project and its Save Our Stripers campaign to restore Atlantic striped bass populations. 

Together, Audubon and Crew are helping shape the next chapter of New Orleans' relationship with the Mississippi, creating a place where neighborhoods meet, communities gather, and the river once again becomes part of everyday life. 

Additional details about Crew's forthcoming waterfront restaurant and bar will be announced closer to opening. 
 

The calf was born January 19, 2026, and is the first okapi calf born in the United States this year, and only the second okapi calf ever born at the Audubon center. Her parents are eight-year-old Asili and 16-year-old Kikari. With only a few okapi born every year, each birth is a significant milestone to sustain this critically endangered species.

Okapi, found only in the Ituri Rainforest in the northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, are one of the most elusive species on the planet. Although they are the closest relatives to the giraffe which are highly social animals, this species prefers to live a solitary life.

“There are only 90 okapi in zoos in the United States and only five calves were born in U.S. zoos last year. We don’t know how many okapi still exist in the wild, making this and every okapi birth extremely important,” said Michelle Hatwood, Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center General Curator. “There is a strong connection between okapi in zoos and okapi in the wild; everything we learn about okapi in human care can help support the protection of those animals in the wild.”

The okapi keepers at the West Bank facility will be keeping a close eye on both calf and mom in the next few months to make sure the new calf hits all her growth and developmental milestones. Her primary keeper, Jen Cain, says the youngster is spending her time nesting in her barn while mom is outside foraging. “We are waiting to see what kind of personality the calf has before giving her a name. So far, she is sassy and playful while her mom is being attentive to her. She is also learning to trust the human keepers responsible for her care when mom isn’t nearby.”      

This is the second calf born at Audubon Species Survival Center. In 2022, Asili’s first pregnancy resulted in the birth of a female calf. Unfortunately, due to an untreatable congenital defect, that calf only survived for a few short months. However, the team expects the new calf to continue to thrive.

Audubon has participated in the Species Survival Plan (SSP) for okapi, overseen by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), since 2017. Audubon Nature Institute is a committed supporter of the Okapi Conservation Project, a wholistic project that has been supporting okapi conservation since 1987. There are five adult okapi at Audubon Species Survival Center with 26 acres for them to roam and specialized facilities for their care.

In the wild, okapi are threatened due to illegal hunting, mining, and other human encroachment in their habitat, as well as loss of habitat due to deforestation.

Eight-year-old Asili is due to give birth to her second calf sometime at the end of the year following a near 14-month pregnancy. The father of Asili’s calf is 10-year-old Miraq, this will be his first calf. Okapi are listed as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Okapi are shy, solitary animals, native to the dense forests in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Okapi are the only living relative of giraffe and are sometimes called “forest giraffes”. They are considered one of the world's oldest mammals, but because of their solitary nature and ability to avoid detection, scientists did not describe these animals until 1901 and, even a hundred years later, very little is known about them.

Asili’s first pregnancy resulted in the birth of a female calf in 2022. Unfortunately, due to an untreatable congenital defect, that calf only survived for a few months. As with all newer mothers, the animal care team is monitoring this pregnancy closely and will be watching via a camera system, during the birth process to ensure the safety and health of both mother and calf. Now that Asili is an experienced mother, the team expects the new calf to thrive.

Audubon has been participating in the Species Survival Plan (SSP) for okapi, overseen by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), since 2017. There are five okapi at Audubon Species Survival Center with 26 acres for them to roam and specialized facilities for their care.

In the wild, okapi are threatened due to illegal hunting, mining and other human encroachment in their habitat, as well as loss of habitat due to deforestation.

Scientists say there is no accurate accounting of okapi in the wild, but the estimates are grim. The number of okapi in the wild is believed to have dropped by 50% in the past twenty years, making this pregnancy at Audubon extremely important for the survival of the species.

Next week, Audubon is hosting the International Okapi Meeting. Conservation leaders from eight countries and 31 zoos will gather to discuss efforts to protect these endangered animals.

Audubon Nature Institute is pleased to announce the appointment of Gilbert Montaño as its new Executive Vice President of Operations and Chief of Staff.  Montaño brings a wealth of experience in public administration and fiscal management, having served as the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the City of New Orleans for the past seven years. 

In his new role at Audubon Nature Institute, Montaño will be responsible for coordinating internal operations of all Audubon facilities, strategic planning, and fostering collaborations that align with Audubon’s mission.  During his tenure with the City of New Orleans, Montaño was instrumental in overseeing the city’s daily operations and implementing innovative solutions to enhance government efficiency. His leadership was pivotal in aligning financial decisions with community needs, reflecting a commitment to transparency and fiscal responsibility. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Gilbert Montaño to our team,” said Michael J. Sawaya, President-Chief Executive Officer and L. Ronald Forman Chair in Conservation Leadership of Audubon Nature Institute. “His extensive experience in public administration and his dedication to community engagement make him an invaluable asset as we advance our initiatives.”

Montaño joins Audubon on September 2, 2025.

Audubon Nature Institute announces the appointment of Cara Banasch as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), a newly created role within the organization. Banasch will officially begin her tenure in July 2025.

Banasch brings a wealth of experience in strategic leadership and commercial development to Audubon Nature Institute. With a distinguished career spanning over three decades, she has held pivotal roles in various organizations, driving growth and innovation. Her expertise in commercial strategy, marketing, and business development will be instrumental in advancing Audubon’s mission.

In her new role as CCO, Banasch will oversee all commercial operations, including marketing, sales, and business partnerships. She will work closely with the executive team to enhance visitor experiences, expand revenue streams, and strengthen Audubon’s position as a leading nature institute.

“We are thrilled to welcome Cara to the Audubon family,” said Michael J. Sawaya, President-Chief Executive Officer and L. Ronald Forman Chair in Conservation Leadership of Audubon Nature Institute. “Her visionary leadership and experience in commercial strategy will be invaluable as we continue to grow and innovate. We look forward to the positive impact she will have on our organization and the communities we serve.”

Banasch expresses her enthusiasm about joining Audubon Nature Institute, saying “I am deeply honored to join Audubon Nature Institute, known for their powerful legacy of conservation, education, and community impact. With extraordinary respect for the talented team in place, I look forward to working alongside them to develop new opportunities, enrich guest experiences, broaden our partnerships, and to serve our locals and visitors with purpose and care for generations to come.”