Jacqueline Mary Richard, born on August 30, 1980, in Naperville, Illinois, is a prominent advocate for coastal restoration in Louisiana. She moved to New Orleans to pursue her graduate studies at the University of New Orleans, initially intending to become a vertebrate paleontologist. However, her academic journey took an unexpected turn when she took a class on coastal restoration with Denise Reed. This class inspired her to contribute to the cause of coastal restoration, leading her to volunteer and learn more about the coast. Despite her initial interest in paleontology, Richard now spends more time in the field, teaching students and working with Master Naturalists than digging up dinosaurs. Richard currently serves as the Interim Dean of STEM at Fletcher Technical Community College and is also an associate professor of geology. In her role, she educates students about wetlands, coastal restoration, and basic geology, equipping them with the knowledge to identify problems in their habitats and explore potential solutions. She also works with various groups in Louisiana, including teaching the Master Naturalists, and is heavily involved in community outreach. Richard is particularly committed to ensuring that underrepresented members of the community, such as the local Houma tribe, have their voices heard with respect to Louisiana's wetlands.

Scope and Content Note
This interview with Jacqueline Richard, conducted by Lauren Leonpacher on October 18, 2021, near the Delta Management Project at Fort Saint Philip in Buras, Louisiana, provides a comprehensive insight into Richard's experiences, memories, and hopes for a sustainable future for coastal Louisiana. Richard discusses her journey from aspiring to be a vertebrate paleontologist to becoming a passionate advocate for coastal restoration in Louisiana. She shares how a class on coastal restoration during her graduate studies at the University of New Orleans inspired her to contribute to the cause. Richard also talks about her current role as the Interim Dean of STEM at Fletcher Technical Community College and an associate professor of geology. She explains how she uses her position to educate students about the wetlands, coastal restoration, and basic geology, and to work with various groups in Louisiana, including the Master Naturalists. Richard emphasizes the importance of community outreach and ensuring that underrepresented members of the community, such as the local Houma tribe, have their voices heard with respect to Louisiana's wetlands. She also expresses her hopes for a sustainable future for coastal Louisiana. She emphasizes the importance of everyone doing their part to protect the environment, whether it's cleaning out a storm drain, getting involved in a coastal planting, or writing a CWPPRA grant. Richard also discusses the economic and cultural significance of Louisiana's wetlands, highlighting the importance of preserving the unique cultural identity of Louisiana and its diverse wildlife. She concludes the interview by encouraging everyone to take steps, no matter how small, to contribute to the protection and restoration of Louisiana's wetlands. In addition to her personal journey and current work, Richard also shares her insights on the importance of community outreach and collaboration. She talks about her work with the local Houma tribe at Fletcher Technical Community College, where they offer classes specifically for the tribe and engage in a community sharing of information. Richard believes that the knowledge and observations of the local tribe, combined with scientific understanding, can contribute significantly to the preservation and restoration of Louisiana's wetlands. This interview provides a valuable perspective on the importance of coastal restoration in Louisiana, not just for the local community, but for the nation and the world.