Coastal scientist Chuck Villarubia knows no stranger it seems, he has been tasked on many occasions to work with visiting journalists, national science magazine writers, other biologists and researchers as they seek knowledge of the state’s coastal restoration projects, particularly, the two freshwater diversion projects known as Caernarvon and Davis Pond.

This week, Villarubia greeted seven Korean visitors from the Korea Environment Institute and the Ministry of Environment which is under the leadership of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea. Villarubia assembled a team of DNR staff and others to spend a complete day of sharing information and trekking out in the field.

Of particular interests to these engineers and policy managers were water-related environmental matters, ecological monitoring and data collection, as well as getting a look at the benefits of restoration projects on the ground. The Koreans felt this in-person exchange with colleagues in the United States, in California, Florida, and Louisiana would help them in preparing documents related to their nation’s ten-year monitoring and coastal restoration plan.

Acting Asst. Secretary Gerry Duszynski, Brad Miller, Greg DuCote, Rick Raynie, Tom Bernard, and Rudy Simoneaux of the Office of Coastal Restoration and Management teamed with LSU scientist Dr. Robert Twilley and state DEQ scientists in water quality, Dugan Sabins and Emelise Cormier in instructing and presenting to the distinguished group.