The Conservation Spotlight is a regular segment of Willamette Wake up on KMUZ community radio 88.5 & 100.7 FM and streaming at kmuz.org. This is where Polk & Marion SWCD’s and OSU Small Farms program shine a light on partnerships and programs that conserve our beautiful natural resources in the Willamette Valley. We are illuminating our collective mission of conserving soil, water, and natural resources for urban and agricultural audiences in the Willamette Valley. Listen live by joining us every third Wednesday of the month at 8am & 6pm (for the rebroadcast) or click below to listen to the podcast anytime!

Podcasts

July 20, 2022 - Conservation Spotlight - Lindsay McClary, Restoration Ecologist, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde​
June 15, 2022 - Conservation Spotlight - Owen Dell, author of “Sustainable Landscaping for Dummies"
On this episode, Delanie Herb will be talking with Owen Dell, author of “Sustainable Landscaping for Dummies.” Owen is not only an author, but is an internationally recognized landscape architect, certified master water auditor, certified permaculture designer, and educator. He is the principal of Owen Dell and Associates, LLC out of Corvallis, Oregon and has been a part of the landscape community since 1971. He has also travelled all over the United States and Canada to deliver lectures on sustainable landscaping. He will discuss sustainable landscaping in your yard and what you can do to keep your yard thriving with less.
May 18, 2022 - Conservation Spotlight - Perla Garcia-Villegas, Farm and Garden Education Coordinator, Marion Polk Food Share Youth Farm
This week Hayley White will be talking with Perla Garcia-Villegas, the Farm and Garden Education Coordinator with the Marion Polk Food Share Youth Farm. You’ll hear about the youth program, what they grow at the farm, why community food systems are so important, and how you can support them! 
April 20, 2022 - Conservation Spotlight - Karin Stutzman, (former) District Manager, Polk Soil & Water Conservation District
Karin Stutzman was the District Manager for the Polk SWCD for over 8 years.  She will share with listeners about the programs and technical assistance that the District provides. Karin is responsible for spearheading the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) with the District that supports oak habitat restoration. She also talks about all of the partnerships that have made the District's work possible.
March 16, 2022 - Conservation Spotlight - Andony Melathopoulos, Assistant Professor of Pollinator Health Extension in the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University
Andony Melathopoulos, Assistant Professor of Pollinator Health Extension in the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University has over 15 years of experience working together with commercial beekeepers and land managers to develop solutions for keeping bees healthy. Since 2016, he has been leading OSU’s efforts to design, implement and evaluate a state-wide pollinator health program. He is on the Coordinating Team of the state-wide bee protection initiative, the Oregon Bee Project, and coordinates the Oregon Bee Atlas.
Feb 16, 2022 - Conservation Spotlight - Rose High Bear of Elderberry Wisdom Farm 
​Rose founded Elderberry Wisdom Farm, which is a Native American nonprofit corporation. It was created to assist Native Americans as they integrate academics, experiential service learning activities and cultural and ecological knowledge while creating their own agricultural and horticultural career pathways.
Jan 19, 2022 - Conservation Spotlight - Sue Reams, Soil Conservationist with NRCS  
After 30 years with NRCS, Sue is retiring. She has been a passionate and tireless conservationist for Polk County and we didn’t want to miss this opportunity to share Sue’s work with our listeners. We will talk about ­­­­­­­conservation planning, soil science and her experience in the field.