As Executive Director of Restore or Retreat, a non-profit coastal advocacy group working to identify and expedite the implementation of aggressive, large-scale restoration projects, Terrebonne Parish native Simone Theriot Maloz works with Restore the Mississippi River Delta on the local, state and federal levels to advocate for the needs of the disappearing Louisiana coast, specifically the Barataria and Terrebonne Basins. Since the devastating hurricanes of 2005 and the 2010 oil spill, she has also been tracking the process of the different planning efforts underway, including the Natural Resources Damage Assessment Act (NRDA), Clean Water Act Penalties, the 2012 and 2017 State Master Plan Update and the Louisiana Coastal Area Study projects, all to ensure the needs of the Barataria and Terrebonne Basins are being adequately met with the necessary sense of urgency in the face of what is at stake. She was appointed to serve on the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Coastal Protection, Restoration and Conservation in the summer of 2014, and is a member and co-chair of the Commission’s Diversion Subcommittee. Simone plans on having the Louisiana coast continue to serve as her home and the home of her children and grandchildren.
Simone Maloz has hosted 166 Episodes.
-
A Decade After Disaster
April 17th, 2020 | 42 mins 47 secs
Ten years after the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, restoring the Mississippi River Delta and its surrounding coastline isn’t just about recovering the wildlife and habitats harmed from the 2010 oil spill; it is ultimately about the opportunity to envision a more sustainable and resilient delta for future generations. On today's show, Simone and Jacques discuss where we are ten years later and highlight progress made on restoration since the spill and opportunities to build on this progress in the years ahead. They are first joined by Greg Grandy, Deputy Executive Director Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana, to discuss restoration projects CPRA has completed to help ecosystems and wildlife recover. They then chat with Amanda Moore Deputy Director, National Wildlife Federation, to hear her perspective on the immediate aftermath of the spill and work that she and others have done to help communities recover and become more resilient. Visit mississippiriverdelta.org/decade-after-disaster/ to learn more.
-
Last Call for the Bayou
April 13th, 2020 | 42 mins 53 secs
Thanks for listening to the latest episode of Delta Dispatches. This week we replay a recent episode with the filmmakers Dom and Nadia Gil with Encompass Films to discuss "Last Call for the Bayou" their 5 short documentaries about Louisiana's land loss crisis. Their documentary series is now available to watch free online here: https://watch.smithsonianchannel.com/details/series/last-call-for-the-bayou.
-
A Coastal Care Package
March 27th, 2020 | 42 mins 24 secs
On today's show, Simone and Jacques chat with several guests who provide recommendations on coastal resources and content that people can access during this time of quarantine and self-isolation. First, they interview Chris Cook, lighthouse director with Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, who highlights educational tools parents can use to occupy kids who are at home. Then, Helen Rose Patterson, senior outreach coordinator with the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), unveils the coalition's new Coastal Care Package, full of recommendations for books, movies, articles and more to keep you informed and engaged. Last up, frequent guest Dr. Alisha Renfro, staff scientist also with NWF, discusses the coalition's new virtual flyover that takes you on a flight over the Terrebonne and Atchafalaya Basins to learn about coastal restoration from the comfort of your couch.
-
Interview with CPRA Chairman of the Board Chip Kline
March 13th, 2020 | 42 mins 15 secs
Thanks for listening to the latest episode of Delta Dispatches. In an interview recorded last week, Jacques and Simone sit down with Chip Kline, Executive Assistant to the Governor for Coastal Activities and Chairman of the CPRA Board. They talk about the CPRA’s 2020 goals, the Governor’s recent Coastal Priorities speech, sediment diversions, the Bonnet Carre Spillway, river management, hypoxia and more.
-
American Shoreline Podcast Network and Previewing State of the Coast
March 6th, 2020 | 43 mins 43 secs
Welcome to Delta Dispatches with Jacques Hebert & Simone Maloz! This week on the show, they talk with Tyler Buckingham, one of the co-hosts of the American Shoreline podcast! Delta Dispatches is a proud part of the American Shoreline Podcast Network, which is focused on preserving coastlines around the world. We also check in with James Karst, Director of Communications and Marketing at the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana. James talks about crawfish dipping, potato salad in (or out of) gumbo and the recently announced speakers at this year’s State of the Coast, happening May 26-28, 2020. Finally we talk with John Price, General Manager of the Old No. 77 Hotel and the New Orleans Magazine’s Thought Leader of the Month!
-
Eco-tours of Louisiana's Coast
February 21st, 2020 | 42 mins 3 secs
Thanks for listening to the latest episode of Delta Dispatches. This week Jacques talks to the owners of two eco-tourism companies. First, he speaks with Barbara Johnson, founder of the Great Delta Tours. Barbara has been a respected practitioner, civic leader and consultant in New Orleans for more than 30 years. Tours by the Great Delta Tours cover coastal restoration and bird and wildlife viewing. Next on the show is Marie Gould, founder of Lost Lands Tours. Mary has spent more than 25 years boating and kayaking in the wetlands surrounding New Orleans. Lost Lands Tours focus on educating people on the importance and impact of the Louisiana wetlands, and the devastation that's been caused by human alterations to the Louisiana coast.
-
Archaeology of Louisiana's Vanishing Coast
February 14th, 2020 | 44 mins 44 secs
Today on Delta Dispatches, Jacques and Simone start the show talking about the hottest debate in coastal Louisiana: is dipping crawfish a crime against humanity or merely deeply unsettling. Once that’s settled, they talk to Stacy Ortego with the Louisiana Wildlife Federation to talk about the progress made on one of our favorite restoration projects: the River Reintroduction into Maurepas Swamp. Finally, they dig deep with Brian Ostahowski, Theodore Marks, and Peyton Finch about about archaeological efforts across Louisiana's coast.
-
Come out to Cook-Off for the Coast on February 8th!
January 31st, 2020 | 46 mins 28 secs
Thanks for listening to the latest episode of Delta Dispatches. This week we’re talking to Samantha Carter, Outreach Manager for the National Wildlife Federation and she’s here to talk about the third annual Cook-off for the Coast! This free event, taking place at Docville Farm on February 8th from 11-3! Come enjoy great (free) food, music, kids events, and more! The event will benefit the Chandeleur Sound Living Shoreline program, which is a partnership Nunez Community College and Chalmette High School where students builds and install oyster breakwaters along the northern edge of Comfort Island. Learn more at CoastCookoff.com. On the second half the show we talk to Jennifer Guidry, CWPPRA Outreach Coordinator. Jennifer talks about the history of the agency and some of the exciting projects that were awarded funding earlier this week.
-
Last Call for the Bayou
January 17th, 2020 | 42 mins 4 secs
Thanks for listening to the latest episode of Delta Dispatches. This week Jacques and Simone are joined by filmmakers Dom and Nadia Gil with Encompass Films to discuss "Last Call for the Bayou" their 5 short documentaries about Louisiana's land loss crisis. The films are currently being shown at festivals around the country. One film, "On a Wing and a Prayer" was released online by CNN's "Great Big Story," while the other films will be released online later this year. You can learn more about the films at lastcallforthebayou.com.
-
Sediment Diversion Could Protect 47 Sq. Miles of Louisiana's Coast
January 10th, 2020 | 43 mins 48 secs
Thanks for listening to the latest episode of Delta Dispatches. On the first episode of 2020, Simone and Jacques speak with Brad Barth, Operations Assistant Administrator for the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA). Brad talks about one of Louisiana’s cornerstone restoration projects: the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion. The CPRA recently completed modeling that showed this project protecting 47 square miles of land over 50 years.
-
A Toast to the Coast in 2019!
December 20th, 2019 | 43 mins 2 secs
On this special year-in-review episode of Delta Dispatches, Jacques and Simone look back at a busy year for coastal restoration in Louisiana. They’re joined by friends and guests from the past year starting with Chip Kline, chairman of the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA), Lauren Averill, Jefferson Parish Coastal Zone Director, and ASPBA Central Gulf Coast Board member and Kristin Tracz, Program Officer with the Walton Family Foundation.
-
Don't Miss Lights on the Lake on Dec. 14th!
December 13th, 2019 | 43 mins 20 secs
Thanks for listening to the latest episode of Delta Dispatches! Today we talk to one of our favorite guests, Dr. Alisha Renfro! Alisha talks to Simone about how a crevasse at Fort St. Phillip is one of the few areas of Louisiana that's growing new land. Alisha also talks about the important River Reintroduction into Maurepas Swamp project, which is up for public comment now. On the second half the show, we're joined by Mary Elise Schlesinger from the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation to talk about Saturday's Lights on the Lake event! Come out to the lighthouse for a great holiday celebration. Learn more at https://saveourlake.org/lights
-
Cameron Parish Port, Coastal Funding and In the Blind Documentary
December 6th, 2019 | 43 mins 33 secs
Thanks for listening to this week’s Delta Dispatches! Simone and Jacques open the show talking to Clair Hebert Marceaux, Port Director for the Cameron Parish Port. Clair talks about her career and how went from an English teacher to one of Louisiana’s coastal leaders. In the final segment of the show, they’re joined by Emma Reid, director of the new documentary, In the Blind, which follows the history of duck hunters’ role in coastal restoration in Louisiana.
-
The Positive Effects of Closing MRGO
November 15th, 2019 | 41 mins 19 secs
Welcome to the latest episode of Delta Dispatches. Today hosts Jacques Hebert and Simone Maloz are joined by frequent guests Dr. John Lopez of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation and Dr. Alisha Renfro of the National Wildlife Federation. In this episode, we talk about the science of coastal restoration including 2019's high river, the impacts of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO), the upcoming State of the Coast conference, and volunteer opportunities to help our coast!
-
Future Leaders in Coastal Restoration
November 8th, 2019 | 43 mins 37 secs
Welcome to Delta Dispatches, with your hosts Jacques Hebert, and Simone Maloz. Today we're talking to future leaders in coastal restoration! Today’s first guest is Milan Mardia, senior at Jesuit High School. Milan has presented to the CPRA Board about educating younger generations of coastal advocates and is learning how A.I. (artificial intelligence) could enhance how we approach coastal projects. Check out Milan’s website dedicated to Louisiana’s coastal restoration here: https://www.lacoastalerosion.com/. Next up is Martin Mantz, Coastal Restoration Program Manager at Nunez Community College. He brings on a professor and a few students to talk about their new Coastal Studies and GIS Technology program and other opportunities to build a career in coastal restoration at Nunez. You can learn more on their website: https://www.nunez.edu/academics/coastal-studies-and-gis-technology-450799
-
The Economics of Coastal Restoration
October 25th, 2019 | 44 mins 14 secs
coastal restoration, economics, sediment diversions
Three new reports that show how coastal restoration is not just helping protect communities, industries and wildlife but also generating jobs and opportunity in the process.