Formed following Hurricane Katrina with the goal of replacing the 100,000 trees lost in New Orleans, NOLA Tree Project has planted more than 86,000 trees across the city with the help of more than 125,000 volunteers. As the weather cools, Executive Director Connie Uddo explains how local businesses and individuals can join in making a tangible difference in the health and beauty of the city in just a few hours.

Just two years ago, Kevin Pedeaux went from being a vendor at St. Roch Market — one of only two historic city-owned public markets left in the city — to running the market.

In this week’s Biz Talks, he shares some surprising insights about the market and details on a big event coming in September.

Locals and tourists looking to escape the heat and immersive themselves in a world that celebrates the wonder and cultural richness of the city need only travel to 940 Frenchmen St. where JAMNOLA — NOLA’s first experiential pop-up museum — just opened a permanent location in June. This fantastical wonderland showcases the work of more than 100 local artists, but that’s just the beginning, explains co-founder Jonny Liss.

Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) President and CEO Stan Harris joins us on this week’s Biz Talks to share what’s up with the closings we’ve been seeing, what the big issues are right now, what the LRA is doing to help, and why right now is the perfect time to help our favorite spots.

Marking 70 years this year, Louisiana’s only freestanding, comprehensive children’s hospital has been celebrating through service. Along with the latest on two of the hospital’s big initiatives, President and CEO Lou Fragoso shares his thoughts on Ochsner’s Children’s Hospital breaking ground while he prepares to take on a big personal adventure on behalf of the kids he serves.

Did you know Louisiana is the top oyster-producing state in America? The big news in oysters is that our state is now home to a new kind of oyster farming that’s resulting in all new flavor profiles — and JEDCO is helping to spread the word about these Grand Isle Jewels. This week on BizTalks, JEDCO President and CEO Jerry Bologna explains why working with oyster farmers in Grand Isle has been one of the most exciting projects ever for JEDCO and shares a few big breaking news items — one coming to Grand Isle and one that will benefit all food entrepreneurs in the region.

On Aug. 4, local hotel industry veteran Jim Cook will officially step in as the new president and CEO of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Cook shares his plans to lead the sixth largest convention center in the country as it looks to break ground on a headquarters hotel next year and finish up the first phase of a $557 million capital improvement plan.

Having trouble getting your dog to and from doggie daycare? Does your pooch need a ride to the groomer, but you’ve got a conflict? Now there’s an app for that. Native New Orleanian Troy Bergeron has parlayed his background in logistics and transportation into a new venture — Doggie Bus. After just over a year in business, the company is already expanding nationally. How does it all work? Bergeron shares all the details on this week’s Biz Talks.