Delta Dispatches

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.

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 segment, Jeanne Nathan, Executive Director of CANO/Crevasse joins the show to talk about Crevasse – 22, the current “Migration" exhibit at the Contemporary Arts Center and more!

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!

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 Coast Builders Coalition and project hotlists.

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.

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.

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 stops by to talk with Simone & Jacques about the local feedback from the “The Drowning Cast”, Mayor Kerner, what’s next for Times-Picayune Coastal Desk and more!

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.

On today’s show Brad Inman, Senior Project Manager, US Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District Experience joins the show to talk with Jacques & Simone about his background, what initiatives the Corps has on its plate, Sediment diversions and more! Renee Bennett, Coastal Resources Scientist Manager at CPRA stops by to talk with Simone & Jacques about The Caminada Back Barrier and other projects that the CPRA are involved in currently.

On today’s show Ben Malbrough, Executive Director of Bayou Lafourche Freshwater District stops by to talk with Jacques & Simone about Bayou Lafourche & the Freshwater District, its history and also the new salt water control structure being completed for the bayou. Alma Robichaux, BTNEP Outreach Coordinator joins the program to talk with Simone & Jacques about her background, BTNEP, her role and their event, the annual Bayou Lafourche CleanUp on March 10th http://www.blfwd.org/bayou-lafourche-clean-up/. Finally, Ryan Perque, Executive Director, Friends of Bayou Lafourche talks with Jacques & Simone about Friends of Bayou Lafourche, their event, “St. Patrick’s Day on the Bayou” near downtown Thibodaux on Saturday, March 17th.