Delta Dispatches

Navigating the High Mississippi River

Thanks for listening to the latest episode of Delta Dispatches. Today’s first guest is frequent guest Dr. Alisha Renfro, Coastal Scientist with the National Wildlife Federation! Jacques and Alisha talk at length about the current state of the Mississippi River. They cover everything from the opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway, the Old River Control Structure and the upcoming (and historic) opening of the Morganza Spillway. In the final segment, Rachel Rhode, Analyst for Coastal Projects and...

Flying over Louisiana's Coast with SouthWings

Thanks for listening to the latest episode of Delta Dispatches. On today’s show, our hosts Simone Maloz and Jacques Hebert have a conversation with David Moore, the Aviation Director of SouthWings. SouthWings is a non-profit conservation organization that provides a network of volunteer pilots to advocate for the restoration and protection of the ecosystems and biodiversity of the Southeast through flight. David talks about his journey to SouthWings and how you can join their network of pilot...

Everlab 2019: Connecting the Environment and Economy

Welcome to Delta Dispatches, with your hosts Simone Maloz & Jacques Hebert. Today’s first guest is Robin Barnes, Executive VP and COO of GNO, Inc. She preview’s GNO, Inc.’s upcoming Everlab conference (June 4th), at the NOPSI hotel. In the second half, Marissa Allweiss Wendte, Development and Membership Director at CRCL joins the show to discuss an upcoming event, the CRCL Shell-A-Bration. Register to attend Everlab and use our special promo code GEAUX to get a 20% discount!

Lighthouses, Docents and Volunteer Opportunities in Coastal Louisiana

Welcome to Delta Dispatches, with your host Simone Maloz! She’s joined by guest host Chris Cook, Lighthouse Director at Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation. Chris talks about his path to LPBF, his passion for history, and his work at Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation’s historic lighthouse. Chris and Simone also talk about LBPF’s upcoming Beach Sweep and other upcoming volunteer opportunities. Rebecca Triche, Executive Director at the Louisiana Wildlife Federation joins Simone to talk opport...

Nurturing Nature with Journalist Ken Wells

Today on Delta Dispatches, Simone and Jacques speak with journalist and author Ken Wells. He talks about his history with both the Houma Courier and Wall Street Journal, how journalism has changed and tells some stories from his years as a journalist. Ken has also written nonfiction books including “Gumbo Life: Tales from the Roux Bayou." Earlier this month, Ken is now a freelance journalist and wrote an insightful article in U.S. News about Louisiana’s land loss crisis. Later in the show, th...

10X Conference: Resilience, Adaptation and Innovation

On today's episode of Delta Dispatches with Simone and Jacques are joined by two participants in the second-annual 10X Water Summit. First, they sit down with David Festa, senior vice president, ecosystems at the Environmental Defense Fund to talk about issues of water management from Louisiana to California. Later, they're also joined by Justin Ehrenwerth, president and CEO of The Water Institute of the Gulf to talk about his work and this year's 10X Summit in Phoenix.

Communities & Climate Resilience in New Orleans

Welcome to Delta Dispatches, with your hosts Jacques Hebert and Simone Maloz. Today’s topic is communities and the coast, with special guest Angela Chalk, Executive Director of Healthy Community Services.

Freshwater Diversions with Erin Plitsch

Welcome to the latest episode of Delta Dispatches. This week Simone and Jacques talk with Erin Plitsch of Coastal Restoration and Protection Authority. Erin is a Coastal Resources Scientist with CPRA’s Operations Division in New Orleans and also serves as Chair of the Caernarvon and Davis Pond Freshwater Diversion technical working groups.

Building a Coastal Work Force: Nunez and Fletcher Community Colleges

Welcome to Delta Dispatches with hosts, Jacques Hebert and Simone Maloz. On today's episode, Dr. Kristine Strickland, Chancellor of Fletcher Technical Community College joins the show today to talk about workforce development, coastal literacy, and much more! Dr. Strickland was awarded Educator of the Year by Lafourche Chamber of Commerce at its 2017 Annual Awards Banquet. She's followed by Martin Mantz, Coastal Restoration Program Manager at Nunez Community College who discusses ongoing and ...

Bonnet Carre's Unprecedented 2019 Opening

Welcome to Delta Dispatches with hosts, Jacques Hebert and Simone Maloz. On today’s show, Kristi Trail of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation talks to Jacques and Simone about the unprecedented opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway for the third time in four years. Chip Kline, chairman of the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) also stops by to talk about the Bonnet Carré opening is an opportunity for people to pay attention to what we’re trying to do in the Maste...

Restoring the Gulf for Birds and People

Welcome to Delta Dispatches with hosts, Simone Maloz and Jacques Hebert! On today’s show Kara Lankford, Director of Gulf Coast Restoration at National Audubon Society, stops by to about Audubon's latest Comprehensive Gulf Restoration Plan. The report highlights projects and programs critical to helping the region. Later on the show, Erik Johnson, Director of Bird Conservation for Audubon, Louisiana, joins the show to talk about the elusive Black Rail and why coastal restoration is so importan...

Delta Dispatches Joins the American Shoreline Podcast Network

On today’s show, Peter Ravella and Tyler Buckingham stop by to tell listeners about Coastal News Today and the American Shoreline Podcast Network, which will now be featuring the Delta Dispatches podcast. Listen in to hear all about the work Tyler and Peter are doing for the coast and what’s coming up in Delta Dispatches.

The Meraux Foundation

On today’s show Blaise Pezold, Coastal & Environmental Program Manager of the Meraux Foundation joins the program to talk with Jacques & Simone about what he does for the Meraux Foundation, what a typical day entails, what it was like to help design the Bayou La Loutre Ridge & Marsh restoration project and more! Erin Brown, from National Wildlife Federation’s Vanishing Paradise program also stops by to talk with Jacques & Simone about Cook Off for the Coast, duck hunting season and more!

A Fishing Guide's View to Louisiana Land Loss

Welcome to Delta Dispatches with hosts, Jacques Hebert & Simone Maloz. They're joined by Lucas Bissett, Fly Fishing Charter Captain of Low Tide Charters, who talks about his role with Low Tide, getting a first-hand view of Louisiana's coastal land loss crisis, and his documentary. Later in the show, they're joined by Ryan Chauvin, Digital Marketing and Communications Manager for Restore The Mississippi River Delta Coalition and National Audubon Society to talk about a new ad that will air dur...

Talk on a Half-Shell

On today’s episode of Delta Dispatches, Simone and Jacques are joined by Eric Carnegie, Owner of Jolie Pearl. He talks about his background, how Jolie Pearl got its start and how oysters differ depending on where they are sourced, off-bottom production and much more! Continuing on the theme of oysters Christa Russell, Restoration Program Assistant with CRCL joins the program to talk with Jacques and Simone about their oyster shell recycling program, what people can expect when they volunteer...

Louisiana's Coast and the Law with Mark Davis and Chris Dalbom

On this episode of Delta Dispatches, Simone and Jacques welcome Mark Davis and Christopher J Dalbom, JD from the Tulane Institute on Water Resources Law & Policy. They talk about presenting at January’s CPRA board meeting, some of the biggest legal issues facing Louisiana’s coast, and their upcoming seminar on coastal law and more! Later in the show, they’re joined by the campaign director of Restore the Mississippi River Delta, Steve to talk about CPRA’s announcement regarding the permit for...

What's Ahead in 2019

Welcome to Delta Dispatches with hosts, Jacques Hebert & Simone Maloz. Today's first guest is is Bren Haase, executive director of Coastal Progress & Lost Lake at the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA). To kickoff the show, Bren looks back at the CPRA's successes in 2018 such as Whiskey Island, Lost Lake, and Center for River Studies. Next, we look ahead to what's next for coastal restoration in 2019. To end the show, Simone and Jacques bring on Kenny Bahlinger, a p...

Holiday Round Table!

Welcome to the final Delta Dispatches of 2018! Hosts Jacques Hebert & Simone Maloz catch up with all their friends to recap 2018 and look forward to a great New Year. Special thanks to all our guests: Chip Klein, Robert Twilley, Steve Cochran, Alisha Renfro, Alex Kolker, Arthur Johnson, Brad Barth, Lauren Averill, Clint Wilson, Derek Brockbank, Jimmy Frederick, and Rudy Simoneaux!

These Resources Put Louisiana's Coast at Your Fingertips

Welcome to Delta Dispatches with hosts, Jacques Hebert & Simone Maloz. On today’s show Anne Hawes, Outreach & Engagement Director & Public Information Director of CPRA joins the show to talk about her background, CPRA’s work to protect & restore coastal Louisiana, how many projects that are currently in construction across the coast, and CPRA's new blog and tools! In the second half the show, Dr. John Lopez, Director, Coastal Sustainability Program of Pontchartrain Basin Foundation also stops...

Talking Oysters

Welcome to Delta Dispatches with hosts, Simone Maloz & Jacques Hebert. On today’s show Richard Condrey, former professor at LSU in the Department of Oceanography & Coastal Sciences stops by to talk with Jacques & Simone about his background, the value of Louisiana fisheries to the rest of the world, the Baton Rouge Audubon Society (BRAS) and his blog "The Great Barrier Reef of the Americas: Coastal Lessons from the Past." Natalie Snider, director of science policy at EDF also joins the show t...

In Search of Louisiana’s Mysterious Marsh Bird

On today’s show Erik Johnson, Director of Bird Conservation at Audubon Louisiana & Justin Lehman, Coastal Marshbird Technician, also from Audubon Louisiana stop by to talk with Jacques & Simone about being vocal about stopping the proposal to build an airport on Elmer’s Island, how things are going restoration wise from a bird perspective, Justin’s typical day in the Louisiana marshes, the new project Black Rails, the surveys being conducted and more! Arthur Johnson, Chief Executive Officer o...

Nicholls State University: Closest to the Coast

On today’s show Dr. Jay Clune, President of Nicholls State University joins the program to talk about his path to becoming President of the university, and what makes Nicholls a special place including Nicholls Farm and the Nicholls Center of Excellence and business incubator. Simone and Jacques are also joined by Nicki Boudreaux, the Instructor of Mass Communication at Nicholls. She talks about what made the intersect the coast and communicating, and how she has seen communication change sin...

Resilience in Coastal Communities

On today’s show, Brandon Champagne stops by to talk with Simone & Jacques about his LSU Undergrad Honors Thesis – “Resilience in Context: How Cultural Factors Influence Migration Decisions of Individuals in Flood-Prone Areas of Coastal Louisiana”. Then, Dr. Shirley Laska from University of New Orleans joins the program to talk with Jacques & Simone about her background, what changes she has seen in the time she has spent in our coastal communities, what she has seen & experienced that are sig...

Experiencing Coastal Culture

On today’s show Dr. Theryn Henkel, Assistant Director for the Coastal Sustainability Program at the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation (LBPF) stops by to talk about their hot projects, their planting happening tomorrow & October 20th, what they have coming up in November and more! Jonathan Foret, Executive Director of the South Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center also joins the show to talk with Simone & Jacques about Rougarou Fest, the mission of the SLWDC, ways to support the SLWDC, Swamp ...

Coastal Poll: Louisiana Voters Support Coastal Restoration

On today’s show Tom Ordes, owner of Atlas Shoring LLC joins the show to talk with Jacques & Simone about what his company does, the process of home elevations, how to get funding and how to find more information on home elevations. Steve Cochran from Restore the Mississippi River Delta stops by to talk with Jacques & Simone about what news he is keeping his eyes on for the next few months, the new poll that came out today, what the poll found, the bipartisan support there is for coastal resto...

Coastal Connections: From Bayou Lafourche to Buras

Welcome to Delta Dispatches with hosts, Simone Maloz & Jacques Hebert. On today’s show Ryan Perque from Friends of Bayou Lafourche stops by to talk with Simone & Jacques about what is happening with their organization, what is coming up and more! On the second half the show, Brad Barth of CPRA joins the show to talk about the wonderful initiatives that CPRA has going on.

Downriver Fest and Photographing Louisiana's Coast

On this week’s episode of Delta Dispatches, hosts Simone Maloz & Jacques Hebert talk to will bring on New Orleans based freelance photographer & National Geographic Society Explorer Ben Depp to discuss his aerial photography of Louisiana’s coast. On the second half the show, Jacques and Simone talk to Helen Rose Patterson from the National Wildlife Federation and Greg Lambousy from the New Orleans Jazz Museum to talk about their work and the upcoming Downriver Fest on September 8th!

Louisiana Wildlife: Alligators, Pelicans and Bears, Oh My!

On today’s show Jacques & Simone talk with Sara Sneath, Environment reporter for the Times-Picayune about her recent series on the Endangered Species Act role in saving some Louisiana's iconic species: the American Alligator, the Brown Pelican, and the Louisiana Black Bear. Read all of the pieces on NOLA.com

Mythbusters: The Facts About Sediment Diversions

On today’s show Dr. Alisha Renfro, Coastal Scientist for the National Wildlife Federation stops by to talk with Simone & Jacques to talk about sediment diversions. Alisha reviews a recent blog post found on MississippiRiverDelta.org that addresses and debunks some myths about sediment diversions and land building.

Future Leaders of Our Coast

On today’s show, Jacques and Simone are back! They catch up on all the coastal news of the past few weeks and then sit down with Lindsay Cooper, Governor's Fellow at the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority. They talk about her studies at Tulane, being President of the Tulane University Green Club, her work with No Waste NOLA, her Fellowship with the Governor and more!

Bonus Episode: Charles Allen Interview on Oliver Thomas

This week, Jacques and Simone are taking the week off and running a segment from WBOK’s Oliver Thomas. Oliver interviews Audubon’s new Community Engagement Director for the Gulf Coast, Charles Allen! Before that segment starts, Charles sits down for a brief chat with Jacques about his new position, his long history with the city of New Orleans and coastal issues facing Louisiana.

The History of LBPF with Kristi Trail

This week on Delta Dispatches, hosts Jacques Hebert and Simone Maloz sit down with the executive director of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation (LPBF), Kirsti Trail! They talk about the history of LBPF, saving the lake, and what the organization does for coastal Louisiana. Later in the show, Erin Brown of Vanishing Paradise stops by to talk about her busy week in the Sportsman's Paradise.

American Beaches: They're a Shore Thing

This week on Delta Dispatches, hosts Jacques Hebert and Simone Maloz go big on America’s beaches! Their first guest, Derek Brockbank is the Executive Director of the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA). Derek talks about his role and how beaches and coasts differ from state to state, what role beaches play in Louisiana. Later in the show, Jacques and Simone are joined by Lauren Averill, the Jefferson Parish Coastal Zone Coordinator and ASBPA Central Gulf Coast Board Member...

Snowballs & Water/Ways in Plaquemines Parish

Welcome to Delta Dispatches with hosts Simone Maloz & Jacques Hebert. On today’s show, our hosts are joined by Darilyn Turner, Executive Director of Zion Travelers Cooperative Center, and four her trainees to talk about her organization and what makes the East Bank the best bank. ZTCC is an organization that’s built around advocating for coastal restoration, disaster preparedness and connecting the youth of Plaquemines Parish to the environment. In the second half the show, Chris Roberts, Gra...

Financing Coastal Restoration Pt. 2

Listen to another special episode of Delta Dispatches. This two-part episode was recorded live from State of the Coast 2018. This panel discussion on the financing of coastal restoration in Louisiana is moderated by Lacy Mcmanus (GNO Inc.) and features Charles Sutcliffe (CPRA), Simone Maloz (Restore or Retreat), Steve Barnes (LSU), and Shannon Cunniff (EDF).

Financing Coastal Restoration Pt. 1

Listen to another special episode of Delta Dispatches. This two-part episode was recorded live from State of the Coast 2018. This panel discussion on the financing of coastal restoration in Louisiana is moderated by Lacy Mcmanus (GNO Inc.) and features Charles Sutcliffe (CPRA), Simone Maloz (Restore or Retreat), Steve Barnes (LSU), and Shannon Cunniff (EDF). Tune in next week to hear the second half of this fascinating conversation!

Communicating the Coast Pt. 2

Listen to the second half of this special episode of Delta Dispatches! Recorded live from State of the Coast 2018, host Jacques Hebert moderates a panel of expert coastal communicators that represent all facets of coastal: the state, NGOs, journalists, and filmmakers! Members of the panel include: Mark Schleifstein (The Times-Picayune), Chuck Perrodin (CPRA), Amy Wold (The Water Institute of the Gulf) and Brian Boyles (Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities).

Communicating the Coast Pt. 1

Listen to a special episode of Delta Dispatches! Recorded live from State of the Coast 2018, host Jacques Hebert moderates a panel of expert coastal communicators that represent all facets of coastal: the state, NGOs, journalists, and filmmakers! Members of the panel include: Mark Schleifstein (The Times-Picayune), Chuck Perrodin (CPRA), Amy Wold (The Water Institute of the Gulf) and Brian Boyles (Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities). Tune in next week to hear the second half of this fasci...

Live From State of the Coast 2018!

Welcome to Delta Dispatches with hosts, Jacques Hebert & Simone Maloz. On today’s very special show Jacques & Simone are broadcasting live from the State of the Coast Convention! They talk to several special guests live from the floor of the conference.

From Paris to New Orleans: Connecting on Resilience

Audubon Nature Institute and Wildlife Conservation

On today’s show John Fallon, Director of Sustainability & Coastal Conservation, Audubon Nature Institute joins the program to talk about sustainable seafood, differences between Audubon Nature Institue & Audubon Louisiana, the exciting things happening at the Audubon Zoo, The Coastal Wildlife Network, the G.U.L.F. Program and more! Corey Miller of Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana joins the program to talk with Simone & Jacques about “Restoration on the Half Shell”.

Studying the Mississippi River

On today’s show Mead Allison, Tulane & The Water Institute of the Gulf joins the program to talk with Jacques & Simone about what he does for The Water Institue of the Gulf (TWIG) and for Tulane's Department of River – Coastal Science and Engineering and more! He's joined by Barbara Kleiss from the US Army Corps of Engineers to talk about their joint certificate program with Tulane and more!

Unpacking the Latest Science of Coastal Louisiana

Welcome to Delta Dispatches with hosts, Jacques Hebert & Simone Maloz. On today’s show Dr. Clint Willson, Director of LSU Center for River Studies, stops by to talk about recent articles on taming the Mississippi River, the Center for River Studies and what the river may want to do. He's followed by Dr. Alex Kolker who talks about the exciting science happening at LUMCON, their open house coming up and the study about the sinking of the gulf floor.

Coastal Lagniappe: A Sustainable Delta & Environmental Arts

On today’s show Natalie Peyronnin, Director of Science Policy, Mississippi River Delta Restoration stops by to talk with Jacques & Simone about the Tulane University study about land loss in the Mississippi River Delta, the importance of sediment diversions being built and living on a smaller & more sustainable delta. Next up, Chris Haines, Treasurer/ Board Member of The Meraux Foundation joins the program to talk about Docville Farms & the Meraux Foundation and its importance. In the final s...

The Historic Live Oaks of Louisiana

On today’s show William Guion, Photographer with Live Oak Images, joins the program to talk with Jacques & Simone about why the Live Oak is such an iconic representation of Louisiana, how he became interested in oak trees, how coastal land loss has affected oak trees across the state and more!

Coastal Conversation with Congressman Garret Graves

On today’s Delta Dispatches, Congressman Garret Graves stops by to talk with Jacques & Simone about how Rep. Graves supports Louisiana’s coastal issues through his various congressional committees. He also talks about the challenges and opportunities of the Louisiana coastal region to be a world leader in community resiliency. Scott Kirkpatrick, President of the Coast Builders Coalition, also joins the show to talk with Simone & Jacques about Coastal Day at the Louisiana legislature, The Coas...

The Conservation History of Tabasco

On today’s show Stacy Ortego, Outreach Coordinator, Louisiana Wildlife Federation joins the program to talk about LWF coastal work and their upcoming informational meeting on the River Reintroduction in Maurepas Swamp project on Monday, March 26th. Then Jacques and Simone are joined by Shane Bernard, Tabasco Historian, to talk about his role at Tabasco, his book that details the history of Tabasco and company's history with conservation in South Louisiana.

From the Chenier Plain to Cheniere Caminada

On today’s show Laurie Cormier, Police Jury’s Assistant Planner & Coastal Zone Manager for the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, joins the program to talk about her role on the CPRA board, and what’s special about the Chenier plain and more! Dr. John Doucet, Dean of the College of Sciences at Nicholls State University, stops by to talk with Jacques & Simone about Acadian Genetics and the history of Cheniere Caminada.

Journalism Spotlight: Reporting The Drowning Coast

On this special episode of Delta Dispatches, Simone and Jacques sit down with two members of the collaborative journalism project “The Drowning Coast." First up, John Schwartz, Science Reporter for the New York Times joins the program to talk with Jacques & Simone about the reporting that went into this project as well as what other areas are facing environmental challenges other than Louisiana. In the second half the show, Mark Schleifstein, Enivironmenta reorter from the Times-Picayune stop...

Communicating the Environment with Dr. Bob Thomas

On today’s show Bob Thomas, Director & Professor, Loyola Center for Environmental Communication, joins Jacques & Simone to talk about the Loyola Center, Loyola’s Institute on Environmental Communications program, how coastal issues bridge the gap with bipartisan support and more! Then, Rebecca Triche, Executive Director of the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, joins the program to talk with Jacques & Simone about the upcoming Louisiana Conservation Awards.