Delta Dispatches Radio Show

Delta Dispatches: …And a Pontchartrain Conservancy in a Pear Tree!

Delta Dispatches: …And a Pontchartrain Conservancy in a Pear Tree!

This week Simone and Jacques catch up with Pontchartrain Conservancy Executive Director Kristi Trail who recaps the biggest milestones for her organization in 2020. Kristi also highlights ongoing programs, from on-the-ground science on water quality and coastal restoration, to STEM education and volunteer tree plantings. There are many ways to support Pontchartrain Conservancy in their mission, from donations to volunteering to shopping at the New Canal Lighthouse. Learn more at scienceforourcoast.org.   Listen Now:

Delta Dispatches: Climate Science & Hurricanes and New Orleans City Park

Thanks for listening to this episode of Delta Dispatches. Our hosts, Simone & Jacques, catch up after a few weeks off and reflect on the long (and finally over) 2020 hurricane season. Our first guess is Ilissa Ocko, senior climate scientist with the Environmental Defense Fund. She talks about her work and how climate change impacts hurricanes. On the second half the show, we chat with Meg Adams, the Director of Environmental Stewardship at New Orleans City Park. Meg talks …

Delta Dispatches: Preserving Louisiana’s Cultural Heritage

Thanks for listening to the latest episode of Delta Dispatches. This episode was recorded early last week, before Hurricane Zeta made landfall. Everyone at Delta Dispatches sends good vibes to all our listeners, as we’ve been impacted with the rest of Southeast Louisiana and coastal Mississippi. We hope this episode will provide some entertainment as you may be waiting for the lights to come back on. We talk to Maida Owens, Louisiana Folklife Program Director about her important work capturing …

Delta Dispatches: Why MRGO Must Stay Gone

Thanks for tuning in this week! Today, Simone and Jacques have a special, panel-esque episode all about the infamous Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, nicknamed the “Hurricane Highway”, and progress made in the decade since its closure. Pontchartrain Conservancy Coasts & Community Program Director John Lopez, National Wildlife Federation Gulf Program Deputy Director Amanda Moore, and Lower 9th Ward Center for Sustainable Engagement & Development CEO Arthur Johnson offer their invaluable perspectives on the channel’s devastating impact to the surrounding communities and ecosystem prior to …

Delta Dispatches: The Road to Resilience

Thanks for listening to this week’s episode! Today, Simone and Jacques talk about the ongoing efforts by Louisiana’s state agencies and nonprofits to increase coastal resilience in relation to climate change. First, we catch up with Jeannette Dubinin, the Director of Resilience and Adaptation for the Center for Planning Excellence, or CPEX. She talks about some of their exciting new projects and their free virtual Smart Growth Summit that is currently underway — and accepting participants! Their next session is …

Delta Dispatches: Hurricane Laura Recovery

Thanks for listening to this week’s episode! Today Simone and Jacques talk about the ongoing needs and obstacles in the wake of Hurricane Laura. First, we speak with Sara Judson, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana. She talks about the relief and recovery after the storm and the role her organization is playing to help the people of Southwest Louisiana. Also joining us is Corey Miller, Director of Community Resilience with our friends at CRCL. Corey …

Delta Dispatches: Introducing the Coastal Community Cookbook!

Thanks for tuning in! On this week’s episode, we talk with Samantha Carter, Outreach Manager with the National Wildlife Federation to talk about her new project, the Coastal Community Cookbook! Inspired by the paper bound cookbooks passed around by our grandmothers, the Coastal Community Cookbook is designed to promote our favorite seafood recipes and raise awareness of the issues found along our coast. You can submit your own recipe here! In our second conversation, Simone and Jacques chat with participating chef, Randy …

Delta Dispatches: CPRA Leader Discusses Hurricane Laura Response

In the wake of the destruction of Hurricane Laura, we sit down with Chip Kline, Executive Assistant to the Governor for Coastal Activities and Chairman of the CPRA Board. Chip talks about the work CPRA is doing to protect the people who call South Louisiana home, what it’s like in Louisiana’s Emergency Center, what he saw when he toured southwest Louisiana, the importance of coastal restoration in the face of future storms and more.  Please consider helping those affected by …

Delta Dispatches: Reflecting on Hurricane Katrina’s Legacy

This week we sit down with two guests to reflect on where we’ve come in the years since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. First we talk to Sidney Coffee, who headed the Governor’s Office of Coastal Activities in 2005 at the time of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. She would go on to be the first chair of the CPRA and has been instrumental in shaping that agency, the Coastal Master Plan, and coastal restoration in Louisiana. Next we welcome Arthur Johnson …

Delta Dispatches: A Coastal Conversation with Garret Graves

On this extra special, lagniappe episode of Delta Dispatches, we welcome Congressman Garret Graves back to the show. We reflect on the coming 15 year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and how coastal restoration has played a role in preparing Louisiana for future storms. Rep. Graves also talks about how he sees bipartisan work to create cleaner energy and community resilience in Louisiana.   Listen Now:

Delta Dispatches: Fragile Grounds

This week on Delta Dispatches, we speak with Jessica H. Schexnayder about her book, Fragile Grounds, which compiles stories and photographs of endangered cemeteries throughout Louisiana’s coastal zone and beyond. On the second half the show we welcome back Deborah Visco Abibou, Ph.D., restoration programs director for the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana. CRCL is about to install their latest oyster reef as part of their oyster shell recycling program.   Listen Now:

Delta Dispatches: Checking in on Hurricane Season with Steve Caparotta

Thanks for tuning in! Last week, forecasters updated their outlook calling for an ‘extremely active‘ remainder of the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Simone and Jacques chat with WAFB Meteorologist Steve Caparotta to get his insights on the update and what is driving it, as well as discuss prior record-breaking seasons and other trends. On the second half of the show, Jacques and Simone discuss a number of coastal updates, including reflecting on the legacy of Dr. Sherwood “Woody” Gagliano, highlighting …

Delta Dispatches: Scoping Out the Mid-Breton Sediment Diversion

We’re dedicating this entire episode to the Mid-Breton Sediment Diversion, which is officially in the scoping period. During the scoping period, the public can provide comments and suggest questions about the project that they think should be addressed in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to ultimately inform how the project moves forward. This episode breaks down the scoping process and talks about how you can deliver your comments about the project to the Army Corps of Engineers. The official regulatory …

Delta Dispatches: Upriver Diversions and the Bonnet Carré Spillway. Also, hello, Pontchartrain Conservancy!

Thanks for listening to another episode of Delta Dispatches with Jacques Hebert and Simone Maloz! Today we talk with Dr. Ehab Meselhe, Professor, Tulane University, School of Science & Engineering about his illustrious career. He talks about his time studying two of the largest rivers in the world, the Nile and Mississippi. Dr. Meselhe also recently completed a study that looks at the impacts of planned upper river diversions on operations of the Bonnet Carré spillway. Later in the show, …

Delta Dispatches: Birds of a Feather

In this episode of Delta Dispatches, hosts Jacques Hebert and Simone Maloz chat with two experts from the Audubon Society. First, we talk with frequent guest Erik Johnson, Director of Bird Conservation for Audubon Louisiana. He looks back at Louisiana’s first named storm of 2020 – Tropical Storm Cristobal. The storm impacted coastal birds across Louisiana and Mississippi’s coast including the newly completed nesting site at Queen Bess Island. In the second half the show, we chat with Charles Allen, …