Jack Travis

Earth Day and Arbor Day were last week, and the city of Fayetteville hosted a variety of events in celebration of those holidays and what they called “Tree Week.” Ozarks at Large’s Jack Travis visited a Tree Week event and brings us this report.

Matt Holden’s “what I did this summer” essay for 2025 should be interesting. On today's show, we hear that the Fayetteville teacher’s summer will include trips into the Pacific Ocean and to Africa. This summer also means the inaugural Ozark Music Festival all around northwest Arkansas, so we'll provide a glimpse of what's to come. Also, the city of Fayetteville named this year's Amazing Tree, but what makes it so special?

The pandemic may have officially ended two years ago, but we still feel its impact. Artist Monica Moore wants to help the community in processing grief through “The Hearts Project”. Her work has become a collaborative effort between her and Life Styles, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting adults with disabilities.

Food banks play a crucial role in efforts to alleviate food insecurity nationwide. On today's show, we discuss the importance of food banks in 2025. Also, today, TheatreSquared is staging a world premiere. Plus, an appreciation of volunteers for National Volunteer Month.

Since early 2007, the Diana fritillary has been Arkansas’ official state butterfly. The fritillary thrives on Mount Magazine’s moist, mountainous habitat but has been recorded in 27 different Arkansas counties. Recently, Ozarks at Large’s Jack Travis talked with Shawn Hunter, founder of the Diana Project, a grassroots effort to help the butterfly prosper.

A 2022 University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences study identified one in 34 Arkansas eight-year-olds as being on the autism spectrum. On today's show, Ozarks at Large's Matthew Moore speaks with a researcher behind the project. Also today, a project to help Arkansas’ state butterfly survive and thrive. Plus, Northwest Arkansas Community College is staging its spring musical and joining with other colleges to consider higher education in the state.

Last year, students in the Mena School District took part in a No-Code Hackathon, using the AI-driven platform Nyx No-Code to create promotional materials for the new mountain bike trail system, Trails at Mena, without coding. Karen Kilroy, a software engineer and founder of Nyx No-Code, recently discussed the Hackathon's outcome and future plans with Ozarks at Large’s Jack Travis.

On today's show, we hear about a group of leaders and experts gathering this week to discuss wastewater solutions for a growing region. Also, University of Central Arkansas President Houston Davis joins us to discuss the university's northwest Arkansas blitz. Plus, software engineer Karen Kilroy joins Ozarks at Large's Jack Travis to discuss the results of the No-Code Hackathon.

Earth Day is Tuesday, April 22. Ozarks at Large's Jack Travis joins host Kyle Kellams to discuss some events occurring around the region that will enable attendees to learn, have fun, and be a good steward of the environment.

On today's show, we hear about the Northwest Arkansas Council's strategy for regional growth. We also learn more about 3D-printed food in a new segment of "Balance." Additionally, our reporter, Jack Travis, shares some Earth Day activities for your family.