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. We discuss topics that are relevant for farmers, land managers, and anyone interested in conservation! Listen live by joining us every third Wednesday of the month at 8am or click below to listen to the podcast anytime!
June 21, 2023 - Conservation Spotlight - Growing Oaks, Willamette University
Conservation Spotlight talks with the founders of the Growing Oaks program at Willamette University - a student led coalition with an interdisciplinary focus on cultivating relationships and projects among communities in the Willamette Valley with the shared mission of restoring Oregon White Oak habitats.
May 17, 2023 - Conservation Spotlight - Jeffrey Wyant, Open Table Farms
On this episode, we talk with Jeff Wyant of Open Table Farms in Salem. Open Table Farms is a diversified vegetable and herb family farm that sells direct to consumers at the Salem Saturday Market. Tune in on Wednesday to hear what the name "Open Table" means to him, why he likes to grow purple produce, and how they incorporate sustainable practices.
April 19, 2023 - Conservation Spotlight - Sam Bartling, Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex
On this episode, we’ll chat with Sam Bartling. Sam is the Visitor Services Manager with the Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex. She will talk about the conservation priorities for the refuges and how they support threatened and endangered plants and wildlife. She will also discuss her role and how she works to make the refuges a welcoming and inclusive public space for the community to explore and learn about our environment. As Sam says, "there are so many ways that you can do nature", from birding to hiking to quiet observation. There is something for everyone!
March 15, 2023 - Conservation Spotlight - Heath Keirstead, Marion SWCD
On this episode, we’ll chat with Heath Keirstead. We’re flipping the mic, so our listeners can get to know their hosts on Conservation Spotlight. Heath is the Communications and Education Specialist with Marion Soil & Water Conservation District. She will discuss the journey she’s taken to arrive at Marion SWCD, what’s special about Conservation Districts, the various ways we connect with the community, and how our listeners can get involved.
February 15, 2023 - Conservation Spotlight - Morgan Neil, Polk SWCD
On this episode, we’ll chat with Morgan Neil. We’re flipping the mic, so our listeners can get to know their hosts on Conservation Spotlight. Morgan is the Outreach Coordinator with the Polk Soil & Water Conservation District. She will highlight the work that the district has been doing to conserve Polk County’s natural resources, how they connect with their community, and how our listeners can be involved.
January 18, 2023 - Conservation Spotlight - Hayley White, OSU Extension
On this episode, we are talking with Hayley White. We’re flipping the mic, so our listeners can get to know their hosts on Conservation Spotlight. Hayley is the Small Farms Outreach Coordinator with OSU Extension for Marion and Polk Counties. She will share with listeners about the role that agriculture plays in conservation. She’ll also discuss challenges that farmers face and opportunities for supporting the local farming community.
December 21, 2022 - Conservation Spotlight - Casey Grogan, Silver Bells Tree Farm
Tune in to learn about the current state of Christmas tree farming in the mid-Willamette Valley with Silver Bells owner and manager Casey Grogan. We’ll discuss how Christmas tree farming is adapting to extreme weather events and the reasons why a natural tree is a still a more eco-friendly choice than an artificial tree. 
November 16, 2022 - Conservation Spotlight - Alice Morrison, Friends of Family Farmers
Conservation Spotlight talks with Alice Morrison of Friends of Family Farmers about how the organization supports small farms as well as the importance of supporting local agriculture and challenges farmers face.
October 19, 2022 - Conservation Spotlight - Wyatt Williams, Invasive Species Specialist, Oregon Department of Forestry
On this episode, we are talking with Wyatt Williams, Invasive Species Specialist for the Oregon Department of Forestry. Wyatt will share with listeners about the role that ODF plays in conservation. He’ll also discuss Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), its potential effect on Oregon Ash habitat and what people can do to help to the spread of EAB.
September 21, 2022 - Conservation Spotlight - Shawn Rivera, District Ranger, Detroit Ranger Station
Detroit Ranger District Shawn Rivera discusses his career path, then dives into the fire severity of the 2020 Labor Day fires in the Willamette National Forest: fire damage to the landscape, regeneration efforts post fire, and how management techniques adjust to fit a fire regime.
August 17, 2022 - Conservation Spotlight - Audrey Comerford, Agritourism Coordinator, OSU Extension
Hayley White, Small Farms Outreach Coordinator, will be talking with Audrey Comerford, the Agritourism Coordinator for OSU Extension in Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties. Audrey helps farmers incorporate agritourism to foster connection with the public and to help build financially viable farms. We will learn about the program, how the community can experience local agriculture, and even hear a bit about Audrey’s own farm.
July 20, 2022 - Conservation Spotlight - Lindsay McClary, Restoration Ecologist, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
On this episode, we are talking with Lindsay McClary, Restoration Ecologist with the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Lindsay has been working with the Tribe for 12 years and she is also a voting member on the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board. She’ll share with listeners about the Tribe’s land management practices and priorities in the Willamette Valley, partnerships that leverage resources, resulting in successful projects, and her vision for the land for future generations.
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.