Episode Archive
193 episodes of Delta Dispatches since the first episode, which aired on March 3rd, 2017.
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See Ya Later, Alligator
September 22nd, 2022 | 55 mins 49 secs
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!
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From Headwaters to the (Delta) Dispatches:
July 14th, 2022 | 35 mins 17 secs
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!
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Exploring a Living Lab on Louisiana’s Coast
July 7th, 2022 | 38 mins 56 secs
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.
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“River Hero” Arthur J. Johnson on Community Resilience and Coastal Restoration
June 30th, 2022 | 42 mins 21 secs
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.
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Paddling the Mighty Mississippi with John Ruskey
June 9th, 2022 | 46 mins 47 secs
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!
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2022 Hurricane Season with Steve Caparotta
June 1st, 2022 | 26 mins 39 secs
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.
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Storm Sweep 2022 with Kristi Trail
May 26th, 2022 | 27 mins 58 secs
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/.
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The 2022 Coastal Stewardship Awards
May 6th, 2022 | 49 mins 3 secs
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.
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Bren Haase Highlights A Milestone Investment in Louisiana's Coast
March 31st, 2022 | 39 mins 12 secs
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.
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A Coastal Convo. with The Lost Bayou Ramblers' Louis Michot
March 17th, 2022 | 40 mins 50 secs
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.
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Re-engineering the Mississippi Delta
March 10th, 2022 | 1 hr 4 mins
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 exposure risk in Galveston Bay, particularly from petrochemical complexes.
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A Visit to the New Canal Lighthouse:
February 24th, 2022 | 32 mins 33 secs
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/.
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The Great Outdoors with Bill Cooksey
February 17th, 2022 | 35 mins 14 secs
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
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Louisiana’s First Climate Action Plan
February 10th, 2022 | 32 mins 41 secs
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.
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Glass Half Full Wants to Help Restore Louisiana's Coast with Your Empty Bottles
February 1st, 2022 | 20 mins 18 secs
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.
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From River Road to Bayou Manchac: Writing about Louisiana’s Environs
January 26th, 2022 | 33 mins 25 secs
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/.