Communicating the Environment with Dr. Bob Thomas

See Ya Later, Alligator: In today's episode of Delta Dispatches, we say goodbye to host Jacques Hebert, who leaves the show, and the Restore the Mississippi River Delta Coalition to become the Communication Director for the McKnight Foundation. We're joined by several special guests (Chip Kline, Bren Haase, Steve Caparotta, and Steve Cochran) to reflect on 194 episodes of Delta Dispatches and the incalculable contributions Jacques has made to the restoration of Louisiana's coast. Join us in wishing Jacques good luck in new his endeavors! by Delta Dispatches

56 min listen

From Headwaters to the (Delta) Dispatches:: Today’s episode explores the other end of the Mighty Mississippi by welcoming Trevor Russell, Water Program Director with Friends of the Mississippi River. Based in Minnesota, Russell paints a picture of the upper river, discusses his organization’s work to enhance the health of the Mississippi River from the Twin Cities and beyond. In particular, he highlights the organization’s award-winning State of the River report, the Mississippi River Restoration & Resilience Initiative (MRRRI) Act they are advocating for along with the Mississippi River Network, and more! by Delta Dispatches

35 min listen

Exploring a Living Lab on Louisiana’s Coast: Christopher Esposito, Ph.D., Research Scientist with The Water Institute of the Gulf, joins the podcast to discuss his journey from being an educator in a New Orleans math classroom to a leading scientist helping understand and inform coastal restoration efforts on Louisiana’s coast. Chris discusses the newly-launched Bay Denesse Living Lab Initiative, a physical site in Plaquemines Parish where scientific research is combined with active restoration, as well as other projects from coastal science to river management. by Delta Dispatches

39 min listen

“River Hero” Arthur J. Johnson on Community Resilience and Coastal Restoration: On this week’s podcast, Jacques is joined by Arthur J. Johnson, CEO, of the Lower 9th Ward Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development (CSED). Arthur was recently recognized by the River Network for his leadership and impact on communities along the Mississippi River. Arthur discusses new programs at CSED, including glass recycling for coastal restoration and a new young leadership cohort. Arthur also reflects on the need for restoration of the MRGO Ecosystem to support people and nature across the Greater New Orleans region. by Delta Dispatches

42 min listen

Paddling the Mighty Mississippi with John Ruskey: This week, Jacques spoke with John Ruskey, one of the most knowledgeable river guides and paddlers of the Mississippi River. John shares his life experiences gathered from over 40 years paddling the Mighty Mississippi. Tune in to learn about John’s work and how you too can experience the Mississippi firsthand! by Delta Dispatches

47 min listen

2022 Hurricane Season with Steve Caparotta: With the start of Atlantic hurricane season, Simone and Jacques bring back one of Louisiana's most trusted weathermen, WAFB's Steve Caparotta, to talk about storm season, how to stay prepared and his new podcast Coast and Climate. by Delta Dispatches

27 min listen

Storm Sweep 2022 with Kristi Trail: With summer fast approaching, Jacques and Simone (united once again!) sit down with Kristi Trail, Executive Director of Pontchartrain Conservancy (PC). Kristi is excited to be in person with events again and PC has plenty of ways to get involved! They’ve got ongoing volunteer opportunities, the Lighthouse Museum is open again for tours, and this weekend they’re hosting their annual Storm Sweep, which kicks off this Saturday, May 28th! Be prepared this hurricane season at https://scienceforourcoast.org/stormsweep2022/. by Delta Dispatches

28 min listen

The 2022 Coastal Stewardship Awards: This week Simone is joined by James Karst, Communication Director for the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL) to talk about all their exciting work in 2022 including next week's Coastal Stewardship Awards (https://www.crcl.org/coastal-stewardship-awards), which honors individuals and organizations demonstrating extraordinary commitment to our coast. Later in the episode, Simone is joined by three of this year's winners ( Raegan Creppell, Jonathan Foret and Genie Ardoin) who are being recognized for their tremendous work to help coastal communities recover from Hurricane Ida. by Delta Dispatches

49 min listen

Bren Haase Highlights A Milestone Investment in Louisiana's Coast: On today’s Delta Dispatches, we chat with long-time friend of the show and Executive Director of the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, Bren Haase! Bren talks through an exciting year for Louisiana’s coast with the largestAnnual Plan to date, with over $1.35B in expenditures and 92 projects in construction. You can read the Annual Plan and use CPRA’s interactive map on their website: https://ap23.coastal.la.gov/ Bren also talks us through the upcoming Coastal Day at the Louisiana Legislature on April 5th. by Delta Dispatches

39 min listen

A Coastal Convo. with The Lost Bayou Ramblers' Louis Michot: On today's episode of Delta Dispatches, Jacques chats with Grammy-award winning musician Louis Michot! Louis discusses how his upbringing in Louisiana's Cajun country shaped his love of the environment and Louisiana's coast and even inspired his music. Louis will be performing with his band, Lost Bayou Ramblers, at this year's Shell-A-Bration on March 25th! This community event is dedicated to raising awareness and engagement for the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana's Oyster Shell Recycling Program. Learn more and buy your ticket here: https://www.crcl.org/shell-a-bration. by Delta Dispatches

41 min listen

Re-engineering the Mississippi Delta: After a quick introduction by Jacques and Simone, we replay a recent episode from the American Shoreline Podcast! Hosts Peter Ravella and Tyler Buckingham turn their attention to the dynamic Louisiana coast and the struggle to protect the City of New Orleans from Mississippi River floods. Joining the show is Dr. Devyani Kar, Senior Manager and Scientist with the Environmental Defennse Fund, to share new research that shows how upriver river diversions can restore vital wetlands and reduce the impacts of Bonnet Carré Spillway openings, the current flood control measure (operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) that flows into Lake Pontchartrain. Then, we discuss how Louisiana stacks up against other state coastal restoration programs and why Louisiana's program is forging the way forward. We close our discussion with Dr. Kar with another project she is working on to harnessing nature-based solutions to reduce Gulf Coast flood and chemical expos by Delta Dispatches

64 min listen

A Visit to the New Canal Lighthouse:: On this episode, Jacques speaks with Kate Tannian, Visitor Services Manager, for Pontchartrain Conservancy about the history and program offerings of the conservancy’s New Canal Lighthouse. From a newly-named EPA Reactive Fish Sculpture to a newly-launched public seed station, there is a lot happening at the lighthouse these days in addition to its regular scientific and historical exhibits, unique gift shop, and more! Plan your next visit to this special part of the New Orleans Lakefront here: https://scienceforourcoast.org/lighthouse-museum-2/history/. by Delta Dispatches

33 min listen

The Great Outdoors with Bill Cooksey: On today's show, we talk with Bill Cooksey, the Sportsmen Outreach Coordinator with Vanishing Paradise. This is a conservation program for sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts. Bill brings his unique history as a hunter and communicator to raise awareness and support on a critical conservation issue of our time — restoring the Mississippi River Delta and Gulf Coast. You can learn more about Vanishing Paradise (https://www.vanishingparadise.org/) on their website and listen to Bill on the Vanishing Paradise podcast here https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-fpxyu-95d5e8 by Delta Dispatches

35 min listen

Louisiana’s First Climate Action Plan: Earlier this month, Louisiana’s Climate Task Force approved the state’s first ever Climate Action Plan, a science-based plan consisting of 28 strategies and 84 actions to “limit the severity of climate change while positioning the state to maintain its economic competitiveness in a low-carbon future.” Lindsay Cooper, Policy Analyst with the Governor’s Office of Coastal Activities, joins the show to discuss the plan, how it was developed and what comes next as Louisiana seeks to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. by Delta Dispatches

33 min listen

Glass Half Full Wants to Help Restore Louisiana's Coast with Your Empty Bottles: Glass Half Full is a nonprofit organization based in New Orleans working to remove glass waste from landfills by recycling it into sand and other materials. To date, they have removed 1.8 million pounds of glass from landfills. On this episode, Jacques interviews their founder and co-director Franziska Trautmann who discusses how the idea was born by Tulane students over a bottle of wine, the mechanics of turning glass bottles into sand and other materials, a new partnership with CRCL’s oyster shell recycling program, as well as their plans to launch a demonstration coastal restoration project with recycled material. Learn more and support their efforts at: glasshalffullnola.org. by Delta Dispatches

20 min listen

From River Road to Bayou Manchac: Writing about Louisiana’s Environs: On today’s episode, Jacques and Simone interview author Mary Ann Sternberg who has written a number of books, articles, essays and more about Louisiana’s unique places and people. Mary Ann discusses her writing, how Louisiana’s environment has inspired it and highlights some experiences that provided a unique vantage point of the Mighty Mississippi. Learn more about Mary Ann and her writing at https://www.maryannsternberg.com/. by Delta Dispatches

33 min listen

Louisiana Embarks on ‘Year of the Dredge’ to Restore its Coast: In the first episode of 2022, Simone and Jacques welcome back Gregory Grandy, Deputy Executive Director Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana, who discusses how 2022 will be one of the most significant years for Louisiana's coast with some of the largest, most ambitious restoration projects ever to move forward. These projects include marsh creation, or “dredging” projects as well as projects to reconnect the Mississippi River to wetlands to sustain them into the future. by Delta Dispatches

36 min listen

Recapping 2021 on Louisiana’s Coast: For the last episode of 2021, Jacques and Simone discuss major events and milestones for Louisiana’s coast over the prior year and look forward to what’s to come in 2022. As a reminder, many families in Louisiana are still dealing with the lingering impacts of Hurricane Ida as we head into the holidays. Visit http://mississippiriverdelta.org/ida to learn how you can help those in need this holiday season and beyond. Happy Holidays to our Delta Dispatches family! by Delta Dispatches

48 min listen

A Conversation with U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy by Delta Dispatches

30 min listen

Happy ‘Gatorgiving!: In this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, be on the lookout for the beautiful “Celebration Gator” float! We were inspired by this reptilian replica to record a riveting episode celebrating Louisiana’s most iconic animal. We’re joined by Dr. Andy Nyman, Professor, Wetland Wildlife Ecology at LSU and talk about the alligators, coastal restoration, and their future! by Delta Dispatches

38 min listen

Examining a “Living Laboratory” on Louisiana’s Coast: A Conversation with Scientist Molly Keogh: Scientist Molly Keogh, who received her PhD at Tulane University and is now a Postdoctoral Scholar, University of Oregon, Department of Earth Sciences, joins the podcast to discuss her latest paper, “Organic matter accretion, shallow subsidence, and river delta sustainability”, and its relation to Louisiana’s coast. Molly, who was featured for her research in the documentary film “Last Call for the Bayou”, also discusses that experience, and her work at the Davis Pond Freshwater Diversion, a “living laboratory” of Louisiana’s coast. by Delta Dispatches

40 min listen

New Science on Subsidence and the Mississippi River Delta: This week on Delta Dispatches, we talk to Elizabeth Chamberlain, Assistant Professor, Wageningen University, about her career as a coastal geologist. Liz got her start at LSU and Tulane researching the Mississippi River Delta and has gone on to study deltas around the world. She joins Jacques and Simone to discuss a new paper based on research in the Lafourche Delta, focusing on how subsidence impacts the Mississippi River Delta and its implications for restoration projects in Louisiana. Her new paper “Does Load-Induced Shallow Subsidence Inhibit Delta Growth?” was published earlier this month: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2021JF006153. by Delta Dispatches

30 min listen

NOLA River Fest 2021: This week on Delta Dispatches, Jacques and Simone chat with friend of the show Helen Rose Patterson, senior outreach coordinator with the National Wildlife Federation (NWF). She’s here to talk about NOLA River Fest 2021, happening this week! Don’t miss the virtual panels covering a range of interesting topics concerning the Mississippi River: https://www.facebook.com/MississippiRiverDelta/events/. In this episode we also talk about the Coastal Community Handbook, a quick guide to all things coastal. You can read the digital version or request a physical copy of the handbook at: https://mississippiriverdelta.org/handbook. by Delta Dispatches

35 min listen

Introducing Simone Maloz as the new Campaign Director for Restore the Mississippi River Delta: On today’s episode, Jacques talks with Steve Cochran, who has served as Campaign Director of the Restore the Mississippi River Delta (MRD) for the last six years, about some developments within the coalition. After successfully leading the MRD team, Steve is moving on to assume a new role leading state affairs within Environmental Defense Fund and none other than our very own Simone Maloz will assume the role of MRD campaign director! We talk with Steve about his career, reflections on his time as campaign director, and advice for the future. We then officially welcome Simone, hear about her background and learn what she's most excited about as she takes this next step. by Delta Dispatches

53 min listen

Water Quality Updates with Pontchartrain Conservancy: As impacts from Hurricane Ida continue to be assessed, [Pontchartrain Conservancy's](https://scienceforourcoast.org/) Water Quality Program Director Brady Skaggs discusses how the storm affected water quality across the region and what actions you can take to improve water quality in nearby waterways. Skaggs also highlights the newly-launched [Lake and Coast App](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.scienceforourcoast.lakeandcoast&pcampaignid=pcampaignidMKT-Other-global-all-co-prtnr-py-PartBadge-Mar2515-1) that puts water quality data at your fingertips. As a reminder, you can find ways to help those impacted by Hurricane Ida [here](https://mississippiriverdelta.org/ida/), and don't forget to check out our newly-launched [Community Guide to Coastal Restoration](https://mississippiriverdelta.org/handbook/)! by Delta Dispatches

39 min listen

Nature's Role in Climate Adaptation | A Conversation with SCAPE's Kate Orff: This week on Delta Dispatches, we’re excited to welcome Kate Orff, Founding Principal of SCAPE. Jacques and Simone talk with her about the role nature can play in adapting to climate change, how she is reimaging landscape architecture through her studio, as well as on-the-ground restoration opportunities from Louisiana to New York. SCAPE’s recent work includes OurFutureCoast.org (https://www.ourfuturecoast.org/) and Kate was featured in the New Yorker in the story “The Seas Are Rising. Could Oysters Help” (https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/08/09/the-seas-are-rising-could-oysters-protect-us). by Delta Dispatches

43 min listen

Recovery in South Lafourche with Bless Your Heart Nonprofit: This week on Delta Dispatches, Jacques and Simone chat with Jeray Jambon Jarreau from Bless Your Heart Nonprofit. Jeray talks about life in South Lafourche after the devastation of Hurricane Ida. Bless Your Heart Nonprofit is working on the ground to address the needs of some of the most impacted communities in South Louisiana. Learn about the work they’re doing and how you can help through their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/blessyourheartnonprofit/ by Delta Dispatches

38 min listen

Hurricane Ida: How You Can Help & A Conversation with Scot Pilié: In the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, one of the most devastating hurricanes to ever make landfall in Louisiana, Simone and Jacques discuss ongoing impacts to communities and how people can help those in need. They also welcome Scot Pilié, EDF senior communications specialist and meteorologist, to discuss the extent of Ida’s impacts and why it was so destructive from a meteorological standpoint. Please visit MississippiRiverDelta.org/Ida to support organizations doing work in Louisiana to help those in need. by Delta Dispatches

61 min listen

Photographing Louisiana's Coast with Matthew White: Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Delta Dispatches! This week we’re chatting with photographer Matthew White about beautiful and inspiring work recently published in the New York Time. “Beauty, Serenity, Stillness: An Ode to the Final Miles of the Mississippi River” features photography of the landscape and communities of Plaquemines Parish. See more of Matthew’s work on his website and Tumblr. by Delta Dispatches

42 min listen

Breaking Down BTNEP with T. Bradley Keith: On this episode of Delta Dispatches, Jacques interviews first time guest T. Brad Keith the new director of the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program (BTNEP). Founded in 1990, BTNEP is the oldest coastal organization in Louisiana and helps ensure access to sustainable clean water across the estuary. T. Brad talks about the history and future of this vital program for coastal Louisiana. by Delta Dispatches

34 min listen

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Communicating the Environment with Dr. Bob Thomas

Communicating the Environment with Dr. Bob Thomas

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