Delta Dispatches

New Louisiana Poll: 98% Want to Maintain as Much of Louisiana’s Coast as Possible

August 16th, 2019  |  43 mins 14 secs

On today’s episode of Delta Dispatches, hosts Jacques and Simone are joined by Mark Sickle, Corporate and Government Relations for Weeks Marine and Bernie Pinsonat, formerly a partner at ‎Southern Media & Opinion Research, Inc. and now commissions polls for Bernie Pinsonat Inc. Mark kicks off the show to talk about Weeks Marine’s new dredge, which will be used for the upcoming Terrebonne Basin Barrier Island project, which includes West Bell Headlands, Timbalier Island and Trinity East Island. On the second half the show, Bernie joins the show to talk about the results of the recently completed poll of Louisiana voters. This poll found that voters are deeply concerned about the state’s coastal land loss crisis and support coastal restoration efforts to address it. You can read the results of the poll at http://mississippiriverdelta.org/coastal-poll-2019/.

Chief Meteorologist Margaret Orr

August 9th, 2019  |  49 mins 11 secs

Welcome to the latest episode of Delta Dispatches! On this episode, Jacques sits down with Margaret Orr, Chief Meteorologist at WDSU News and a New Orleans institution. Margaret talks about why she became a meteorologist, the unique relationship New Orleans has with weather, and what the increase of extreme weather and rain events means for everyone living in the city. In the final segment of the show, Jacques also sits down with Hansel Harlan from Marsh Dog. After a brief pause in production, your dog’s favorite nutria treats are back. Be sure to listen to find out which stores are stocking the new flavors!

Debriefing 2019's Unprecedented Mississippi River Flood

August 2nd, 2019  |  53 secs

This week on Delta Dispatches, host Jacques Hebert talks with two return guests about the historic flooding of the Mississippi River in 2019. Topics include the Bonnet Carre Spillway, sediment diversions, the dead zone and more! Thanks to Alisha Renfro (Coastal Scientist for the Mississippi River Delta Restoration Program, NWF), and Natalie Peyronnin Snider (Senior Director, Coastal Resilience, EDF) for stopping by!

Episode 100 with Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards

July 26th, 2019  |  37 mins 32 secs

Thanks for listening to the 100th episode of Delta Dispatches! Jacques and Simone mark this special occasion by sitting down with Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards to get his thoughts on Hurricane Barry, the state's coastal restoration and protection efforts, and much more!

The River's Revenge with Tristan Baurick

June 28th, 2019  |  42 mins 9 secs

Thanks for listening to the latest episode of Delta Dispatches! In today’s episode, hosts Jacques Hebert and Simone Maloz dive deep into the Mississippi River with Tristan Baurick to discuss his 5 part investigative series about the Upper Mississippi River. From the Headwaters in Minnesota to Davenport, Iowa, Tristan focused on stories of different ways we’ve tried to control the Mississippi River. At the end of the show, Melissa Mylchreest, associate director at the Institute for Journalism & Natural Resources to talk about the importance of environmental journalism and how IJNR provides immersion training programs for environment and natural resource journalists.

Philanthropic Support for Louisiana's Coast

June 21st, 2019  |  40 mins 49 secs

Thanks for tuning into the latest episode of Delta Dispatches! In this episode, Jacques and Simone catch up on the latest coastal news, followed by two more interviews from the EVERLAB conference. Simone sat down with Kristin Tracz of the Walton Family Foundation to talk about their environmental efforts in Louisiana and across the country. Later in the show Simone is joined by Liz Williams Russell from Foundation for Louisiana talks about the LA Safe program, LEAD the Coast, and other programs being done across the coast.

Talking Port Fourchon, Louisiana’s Coast and Terrebonne’s Coastal Day

June 14th, 2019  |  40 mins 32 secs

Thanks for listening to the latest episode of Delta Dispatches. In this episode, we hear more interviews from the EVERLAB conference. In the first segment of the show, you’ll hear Simone’s interview with Chett Chiasson, Executive Director at Port Fourchon to talk about the importance of industry on Louisiana’s coast and the ways Port Fourchon partners with the state of Louisiana and other exciting things happening with the port. Following that interview, Simone sits down with #1 avid listener, Chip Kline, who talks about the passing of the 2019 Annual Plan, barrier islands and more. They also talk about Terrebonne Parish’s Coastal Day, happening on June 19th.

EVERLAB 2019

June 7th, 2019  |  36 mins 53 secs

Thanks for listening to this week's episode of Delta Dispatches! In this special episode of the show, host Simone Maloz sat down with a series of guests from the EVERLAB conference. EVERLAB, which took place in New Orleans earlier this month, was a place for conversation around environmental finance, investment, risk management, and economic growth. Simone spoke with several attendees at the conference and in this episode you'll hear interviews with Michael Hecht, president & CEO of Greater New Orleans,. Inc., Chip Kline, chairman of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) board, and Steve Cochran, associate vice president of coastal resilience with the Environmental Defense Fund.

Navigating the High Mississippi River

May 31st, 2019  |  44 mins 48 secs

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 Programs for the Environmental Defense Fund joins the program to discuss several topics including the anatomy of a delta.

Flying over Louisiana's Coast with SouthWings

May 24th, 2019  |  43 mins

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 pilots! Later in the show Kat Loomis, Outreach Assistant for Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL), to talk about their upcoming events including this week’s Shell-A-Bration!

Everlab 2019: Connecting the Environment and Economy

May 17th, 2019  |  46 mins 51 secs

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

May 3rd, 2019  |  41 mins 41 secs

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 opportunities happening across the coast including the Conservation Leadership Corps.

Nurturing Nature with Journalist Ken Wells

April 25th, 2019  |  47 mins 2 secs

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, they’re joined by John Price, regional director of operations with Providence Hotels and The Old No. 77 Hotel in New Orleans to talk about their current promotion with Restore the Mississippi River Delta.

10X Conference: Resilience, Adaptation and Innovation

April 18th, 2019  |  41 mins 37 secs

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

April 5th, 2019  |  40 mins 27 secs

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

March 29th, 2019  |  45 mins 1 sec

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.