We Are Water

Dirk Philipp is joining us again to speak about pasture-to-prairie reconstruction and how landowners can accomplish these goals. We are so glad to have him on and hope to continue to speak with him about pasture management tactics. If you would like to contact the Alliance regarding any information, please email us at info@beaverwatershedalliance.org or call 479-750-8007. If you would like to contact Dirk please email him at dphilipp@uark.edu. Thank you for listening and for your continued support!

Dirk Philipp is joining us again to speak about the Arkansas' drought history as well as how this affects producers. We are so glad to have him on and hope to continue to speak with him about land management tactics and producer perspectives. If you would like to contact the Alliance regarding any information, please email us at info@beaverwatershedalliance.org or call 479-750-8007. If you would like to contact Dirk please email him at dphilipp@uark.edu. Thank you for listening and for your continued support!

Dirk Philipp is joining us again to speak about the benefits of maintaining a riparian buffer zone and what constitutes a riparian area. We are so glad to have him on and hope to continue to speak with him about more land management practices and their benefits. If you would like to contact the Alliance regarding any information, please email us at info@beaverwatershedalliance.org or call 479-750-8007. If you would like to contact Dirk please email him at dphilipp@uark.edu. Thank you for listening and for your continued support!

Dirk joins us today to speak about a different agricultural management strategy that employs the use of trees in a grazing setting. If you would like to contact Dirk with any questions please email him at dphilipp@uark.edu

Daniel joins us to explain different plans to help landowners properly manage wildlife and how the alliance can help. If you would like to contact Daniel, please email him at daniel@beaverwatershedalliance.org or visit our website beaverwatershedalliance.org for more information.

Jerry is back to continue our series on soil health in the watershed. If you would like to speak with Jerry about these topics give him a call at 479-225-4042 or you may email him via jerry@beaverwatershedalliance.org. Also, check out BWA's new website for upcoming events or projects found at beaverwatershedalliance.org

We're joined by Jerry Genz, Beaver Watershed Alliance's Agriculture Resource Specialist, to talk about soil health. As a farmer himself, he has learned a lot and is here to share his best management practices. If you would like to contact Jerry, please email him at jerry@beaverwatershedalliance.org or feel free to call him at 479-225-4042.

Beaver Watershed Alliance's Geospatial Ecologist, Nate Weston, joins us to explain what makes glade ecosystems unique and valuable. Listen to hear about interesting facts about glades in Northwest Arkansas, the flora and fauna that inhabit them, and ways landowners can protect them!

Trish Redus joins the show today to discuss volunteering in the watershed. Together we dive into the “why” of volunteering. As a lifelong conservationist and avid volunteer, Trish brings incredible perspective to the conversation. Listen in to hear about the bonus benefits volunteering brings to individuals and to the region.

This month Jennifer Johnson joins the podcast to talk about women in conservation. Jennifer is the director of business for the Arkansas Forestry Association, and she coordinates the Women Owning Woodlands program. On today's episode, we talk about the real-world forestry skills that the program teaches, the perspective women bring to conservation, and the value of connecting women with one another.

Throughout the month of July, we are celebrating Lakes Appreciation Month. Today we speak with Alan Bland about all things Beaver Lake. Alan recently retired from the US Army Corps of Engineers where he spent 36 years as a park ranger and natural resource specialist. Whether you're interested in history, recreation, or wildlife, this podcast has something for you!

Sara Wittenberg, Project Wingspan Arkansas State Coordinator, joins the podcast this month to celebrate Pollinator Week. She starts us off with why we should care about pollinators and shared a variety of ways you can get involved.

On the podcast this month, we welcome Kent Laughlin, Project Manager with the Department of Community Development for the City of Rogers, along with Becky Roark, Executive Director for the Alliance. Low-impact Development mimics nature by allowing rainwater to slow down and soak into ground, reducing flooding. Listen in to learn how the City of Rogers is incorporating permeable pavers into several low-impact development projects in the downtown area.

This month we welcome Marson Nance, Director of Land Protection and Stewardship with the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust. Land conservation plays an integral role in protecting our regional drinking water source, wildlife habitat, cultural resources, and our region's identity. Listen in to hear Marson answer all of your questions about conservation easements.

This month we welcome Kurtis Cecil, an Associate Professor in the Life Sciences Department at Northwest Arkansas Community College. Kurtis is also the Chair of the habitat committee with the Ozark Prairie Quail Forever Chapter and has been instrumental in getting the Ozark Prairie Prescribed Burn Association off the ground this winter. We talk about how to choose the appropriate season for prescribed burning based on your conservation goals and the hurdles landowners face when wanting to burn their property. Listen in to find out how you can join the recently formed prescribed burn association and learn more at an upcoming training opportunity.

This month we welcome Jane Maginot, Washington County Extension Agent for Stormwater Education. We talk about a cool eco-art project she spearheaded, as well as ways you can help in your community. Jane also runs a cattle and poultry farm with her husband, and she shared ways they are working to improve water quality on their farm alongside increasing the farm's profitability.

This month we welcome Sarah Geurtz, a landscape architect with Earthplan Design Alternatives, and Juliet Richey, a member of the Alliance Board of Directors and an urban planner with Garver. These two ladies have been working together to change city codes to incorporate the use of native plants in urban landscaping. Sarah discusses the role native plants play in the ecosystem and how landscaping is evolving to include more deciduous trees and shrubs, and even perennials. Juliet explains that with our current, exponential regional growth, the time to plan is now. Native plants create a sense of place, and the work we do now for urban planning will serve us well into the future.

Nate Weston, Geospatial Ecologist with Beaver Watershed Alliance, shares how GIS mapping works as an important tool in the Alliance's conservation and management work in the Beaver Lake watershed.

Eric Fuselier of Crafton Tull shares how communities benefit from wetlands and the ecosystem services they provide.

Founding Alliance Board member Barbara Taylor shares how her passion for water began and the important role the community plays in watershed conservation.

Beaver Water District Education Team members Dot Neely & Amber Ebbrecht dive into how they are creatively reaching students this years. We shared some laughs over imaging a day without water and what we'd miss most.

Extension Agent Ronnie Horn explains the value of soil testing, whether from your farm, lawn, or garden. He also shares stories about the importance of conservation practices to a farm's productivity, as well as the environment.

Billy Ammons, Alliance Board of Directors, gives us the background on the Alliance's Pond Optimization Project and explains the importance of using ponds throughout the watershed to reduce peak flow and enhance sediment and nutrient storage. The project is a partnership with Baylor University and a landowner near West Fork, AR

Matthew Rich from Beaver Water District shares how water quality data is collected with the Secchi disc and used across the watershed. Also, get the scoop on his own research in Beaver Lake and this year's Virtual Secchi Day Science Fair.

Alliance team members, Kayla and Melissa, describe Ozark streams and share their favorite species of fish, macroinvertebrates, and meiofauna. Human impact can affect not only a stream's water quality but the level of biodiversity as well.

Dr. James McCarty, Manager of Environmental Quality at Beaver Water District, talks about the environmental pressures currently facing Beaver Lake and how local organizations are working to protect it.

Flip talks about the many ways to enjoy outdoor recreation around the Beaver Lake watershed for Lakes Appreciation Month.

Arkansas has thousands of lakes and their characteristics vary by ecoregion. Hear from area expert, Reed Green, about lake fun facts and the science behind a healthy lake.

In this episode, we are speaking with Beaver Watershed Alliance Executive Director Clell Ford. He explains what a watershed is and the work the Alliance is doing to protect Beaver Lake watershed.