From left, Dr. Erica Miller and Danene Birtell wash off a brown pelican while Melanie Reed, a second-year vet student at LSU, holds the bird at the Fort Jackson Rescue Center in Buras, La. (April Buffington/NYT Institute)

Photographers watch as Dr. Erica Miller and Danene Birtell wash off a brown pelican while Melanie Reed, a second-year vet student at LSU, holds the bird at the Fort Jackson Rescue Center in Buras, La. (April Buffington/NYT Institute)

A participant voices his opinion during a town hall meeting in Chalmette, La. BP officials were on hand to answer questions and address community concerns. (Thaisi H. Da Silva/NYT Institute)

Mary Thomas has to drive 20 minutes from her home in the Lower Ninth Ward to a Wal-Mart in St. Bernard Parish, where she has had to shop since the neighborhood grocery store closed after Hurricane Katrina. She is with her grandson Anthony, 3. (Imani M. Cheers/NYT Institute)

Kermit Ruffins, trumpeter, singer and composer, performing at Bullets Sports Bar in New Orleans. (Taylar Barrington/NYT Institute)

Dr. Foots, a native of Philadelphia, has lived in New Orleans for over 30 years. Having received his first copper kit at 9 years old, he is now a world-renown jeweler, photographer and art collector. (Imani M. Cheers/NYT Institute)

One resident sits in her home in Grand Isle, La., after the public beaches were closed because of the Gulf oil spill. (Thaisi DaSilva/NYT Institute)

The Gulf oil spill is having serious impact in Grand Isle, La., where this pier is. (Thaisi DaSilva/NYT Institute)

New "green" homes that are part of Brad Pitts' "Make It Right" foundation in the Lower Ninth Ward. (April Buffington/NYT Institute)