Find CWPPRA on Youtube! Hear from our team members and see beautiful views of the landscapes that we are working to protect.

We’ll investigate issues and topics along the Gulf Coast and explore your personal connection to the coastal wetlands that support Louisiana’s working coast. The news from the coast can be daunting, contradictory, and discouraging. We’re losing land at a rapid pace--although not as rapidly as we once were--plants and animals struggle to adapt and survive in ever-changing conditions, people are facing relocation but don’t want to leave the only livelihood they’ve ever known. But it’s not all bad! Louisiana is a leader in coastal resilience planning and mitigation and the work of restoration is becoming more engaged with residents and culturally- focused. So secure your belongings safely and buckle up as we explore the bounty of the wetlands on the Coastal Connection.

Louisiana Black Bears, the official state mammal, was listed as endangered from 1992 until 2016, when it was delisted after a successful conservation program that encouraged wetland habitat development, particularly among private property owners. We'll find out more about the efforts to protect Louisiana Black Bear populations with Maria Davison of Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Dr. Joseph Clark with USGS discusses the data and research collected through those efforts, and Paul Davidson talks about the Black Bear Conservation Coalition, a rare non-profit that achieved its goal so well that it is no longer needed.

For more reading on today's topic:

• Vocalizations and Body Language
• Louisiana Blank Bear - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Bayou Teche National Wildlide Refuge
• Louisiana Black Bear - Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
• Teddy Roosevelt's Bear Hunt
• Ben Lilly

On this episode of Coastal Connection, you'll hear from folks along the Mighty Mississippi from the perspective of infrastructure and navigation, culture and economy. We get a quick backstory from historian John Barry, discuss Mississippi River navigation and flood control with US Army Corps of Engineers' Colonel Stephen Murphy, who leads the New Orleans District, and explore the human relationship with the Big Muddy with photographer Philip Gould and curator Ben Hickey.

For more reading on today's topic:

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District
• Bridging the Mississippi - The Hilliard Museum
• Bridging the Mississippi - LSU Press
• Quapaw Paddle Company
• John M. Barry Keynote Speaker - Lafayatte, LA
• Historic Natchez Foundation

In this episode, we learn about the five species of sea turtles in the Gulf of Mexico, find out more about sea turtle research with Dr. Kristen Hart of US Geological Survey, and explore conservation efforts with Joanie Steinhaus of Turtle Island Restoration Network's Gulf Program.

For more reading on today's topic:

• Sea Turtles - Smithsonian
• Protecting the Future of Florida's Sea Turtles - That's Amazing
• Hydrophone Recordings of Sea Turtles - N.E.S.T.
• Research Ecologist Kristen Hart, Ph.D.
• Turtle Island Restoration Network
• Sea Turtle Inc.

We explore the impact of the invasive nutria in Louisiana's coastal wetlands, dispel myths about their origins and consider the value of its pelt. This episode includes interviews with Jennifer Hogue-Manuel at LDWF and manager of the state Nutria Control Program, Shane Bernard, historian and archivist at Avery Island, and founder of Righteous Fur, Cree McCree.

For more reading on today's topic:

• The History of Nutria
• Louisiana Fur Advisory Council
• The Nutria Nuissance - Shane Bernard
• Ti-Nute, the Angel of Devil's Pond - Morris Raphael
• Rodents of Unusual Size - Documentary

Today's episode features an interview with artist and biologist Brandon Ballengée, who is based in Arnaudville, LA. He talks about his conservation homesteading and his research into 14 species in the Gulf of Mexico identified as missing since the 20120 BP Oil Spill.

For more reading on today's topic:

• Five Years Later: An Update on the Status of Collections of Endemic Gulf of Mexico Fishes
• Wanted: This Bioluminescent Little Shark is Missing from the Gulf of Mexico
• Oil Spill Day 100

We learn more about wild Louisiana irises and effort to both preserve and reintroduce native Louisiana irises through research, stewardship and university partnerships. Joining us for an interview is Paul Pastorek, a wild Louisiana iris hunter.

For more reading on today's topic:

• Greater New Orleans Iris Society
• Society for Louisiana Irises
• LSU AgCenter

We visit with Patti Holland, a retired US Fish and Wildlife Service biologist who worked extensively in Louisiana's coastal zone on bird mitigation during restoration projects.

For more reading on today's topic:

• Migratory Bird Programs - USFWS
• Audubon Mississippi Flyway
• Louisiana Birding Trails

We take a deep dive into the Mardi Gras traditions of the coastal community of Gheens, Louisiana, in Lafourche Parish with folklorist Maria Zeringue.

For more reading on today's topic:

• Neither Spared nor Spoiled: The Mardi Gras Chase in Choupic - Cagle
• The Varieties of Mardi Gras - Frank de Caro
• Keeping it Alive: Mardi Gras Costume Making - Dunbar and Owens

This episode features interviews with Jeb Linscombe with Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, St. Mary Parish Alligator Nuisance Trapper Ryan Smith, and owner of Cocodri, Mary Tutwiler.