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 & 6pm (for the rebroadcast) or click below to listen to the podcast anytime!

Podcasts

September 21, 2022 - Conservation Spotlight - Shawn Rivera, District Ranger, Detroit Ranger Station
Delani Herb, Natural Areas Conservation Planner with Marion SWCD will speak with Shawn about fire severity and what is does to the landscape. Shawn discusses the District's regeneration efforts post fire, and how management techniques are adjusted 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.